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× Non-compliance can also lead to administrative sanctions, including suspension of foreign worker licensing services.
Indonesia is increasing scrutiny of employers' compliance with mandatory Indonesian language training for foreign workers, signalling tighter enforcement of an existing requirement even as work permit application procedures remain unchanged. The move could affect foreign professionals, including Indian employees working in the country, as employers face closer checks on their language training arrangements.
Under the existing policy, employers must facilitate Indonesian language education and training for foreign workers, either independently or in cooperation with an approved educational institution or Indonesian language training institution.
Also read: UAE Golden Visa: International graduates from top 100 universities can qualify for 10-year residency
The requirement is covered under Article 7(2) of Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8 of 2021, which implements Government Regulation No. 34 of 2021 on the Use of Foreign Workers.
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The requirement applies to foreign employees in general, but certain categories are exempt. These include directors and commissioners, heads of representative offices, members of governing, executive and supervisory boards, and foreign workers undertaking temporary work.
Employers can arrange training through their own programmes or work with accredited institutions offering Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) courses. However, they are responsible for ensuring that the training is actually provided and that external institutions meet applicable accreditation requirements.
What happens if employers do not comply?
Failure to facilitate Indonesian language training can result in administrative sanctions. These include delays in services, temporary suspension of foreign worker licensing processes and other measures permitted under the regulations.
The Ministry of Manpower's guidance on sanctions specifically identifies failure to facilitate Indonesian language education and training for foreign workers as grounds for temporarily suspending the foreign worker licensing process. This could affect companies seeking to obtain or renew work permits for their foreign employees.
Also read: New pact struck to support employability, aspirations of Indian students in UK
Although employers are not currently required to submit proof of training completion with work permit applications, compliance may come under scrutiny during renewals. Officials may question foreign workers about their training arrangements.
Employers have therefore been advised to maintain records of training arrangements, enrolment, attendance and completion. They should also prepare employees to answer questions about their training programmes during work permit renewals.
Indonesia plans mandatory language proficiency test from 2027
The increased scrutiny comes as Indonesia prepares a further change to its foreign worker regulations. The Ministry of Manpower is working on a revision that could introduce mandatory Indonesian language proficiency testing for foreign workers.
According to ANTARA News reporting in October 2026, the Minister of Manpower said the regulatory revision is expected to be completed by February 2027. The proficiency test could be introduced for foreign workers seeking employment in Indonesia.
The test is being developed with the language development body of Universitas Indonesia. The proficiency requirement is expected to be determined through a TOIFL (Test of Indonesian as Foreign Language) score or an equivalent standard.
Separate analyses have identified the UKBI (Uji Kemahiran Berbahasa Indonesia) framework, with the Marginal (A2) level or equivalent BIPA 2 standard, as a possible benchmark. However, the final testing framework and minimum proficiency level will depend on the revised regulations.
For now, employers should identify foreign workers covered by the existing training requirement, arrange appropriate language instruction and retain supporting records. They should also assess employees' current Indonesian language abilities and prepare for the possibility of mandatory proficiency testing in 2027.
Under the existing policy, employers must facilitate Indonesian language education and training for foreign workers, either independently or in cooperation with an approved educational institution or Indonesian language training institution.
Also read: UAE Golden Visa: International graduates from top 100 universities can qualify for 10-year residency
The requirement is covered under Article 7(2) of Minister of Manpower Regulation No. 8 of 2021, which implements Government Regulation No. 34 of 2021 on the Use of Foreign Workers.
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
The requirement applies to foreign employees in general, but certain categories are exempt. These include directors and commissioners, heads of representative offices, members of governing, executive and supervisory boards, and foreign workers undertaking temporary work.
Employers can arrange training through their own programmes or work with accredited institutions offering Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) courses. However, they are responsible for ensuring that the training is actually provided and that external institutions meet applicable accreditation requirements.
What happens if employers do not comply?
Failure to facilitate Indonesian language training can result in administrative sanctions. These include delays in services, temporary suspension of foreign worker licensing processes and other measures permitted under the regulations.
The Ministry of Manpower's guidance on sanctions specifically identifies failure to facilitate Indonesian language education and training for foreign workers as grounds for temporarily suspending the foreign worker licensing process. This could affect companies seeking to obtain or renew work permits for their foreign employees.
Also read: New pact struck to support employability, aspirations of Indian students in UK
Although employers are not currently required to submit proof of training completion with work permit applications, compliance may come under scrutiny during renewals. Officials may question foreign workers about their training arrangements.
Employers have therefore been advised to maintain records of training arrangements, enrolment, attendance and completion. They should also prepare employees to answer questions about their training programmes during work permit renewals.
Indonesia plans mandatory language proficiency test from 2027
The increased scrutiny comes as Indonesia prepares a further change to its foreign worker regulations. The Ministry of Manpower is working on a revision that could introduce mandatory Indonesian language proficiency testing for foreign workers.
According to ANTARA News reporting in October 2026, the Minister of Manpower said the regulatory revision is expected to be completed by February 2027. The proficiency test could be introduced for foreign workers seeking employment in Indonesia.
The test is being developed with the language development body of Universitas Indonesia. The proficiency requirement is expected to be determined through a TOIFL (Test of Indonesian as Foreign Language) score or an equivalent standard.
Separate analyses have identified the UKBI (Uji Kemahiran Berbahasa Indonesia) framework, with the Marginal (A2) level or equivalent BIPA 2 standard, as a possible benchmark. However, the final testing framework and minimum proficiency level will depend on the revised regulations.
For now, employers should identify foreign workers covered by the existing training requirement, arrange appropriate language instruction and retain supporting records. They should also assess employees' current Indonesian language abilities and prepare for the possibility of mandatory proficiency testing in 2027.