International students who want to pursue their education in Indonesia will have to get an Indonesia Student Visa.
The Indonesian Student Visa is a comprehensive term, which includes several different permits and visas. In order to study in an Indonesian educational institution, international students have to obtain a study permit, an entrance visa, as well as a residence permit.
This article will detail the process of applying for an Indonesian student visa and permit, as well as any documents that you may need.
How to Apply for Indonesia Student Visa?
To receive an Indonesian student visa, you have to be accepted into an Indonesian university, get the letter of acceptance and then:
- Apply for a Study Permit from the Indonesian Ministry of Education
- Apply for an entry visa (VITAS) at the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in your country
- After arrival in Indonesia, change the VITAS into a KITAS (limited stay permit) at the Immigration Department
- Get a Certificate of Police Registration Card
All of these things together make up the “Indonesia student visa”, since there is no one-application visa.
Applying for an Indonesia Study Permit
After you are accepted into the Indonesian educational institution, you have to apply for a Study Permit from the Ministry of Education in Indonesia. Since at this point, you may still be abroad, your university should help you with the application process and issue your certificate of acceptance.
After the Ministry of Education issued the Study Permit, they will forward it to the Immigration Department Head Office in Jakarta, so they can issue your visa.
The Immigration Department forwards the letter to the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate where you intend to apply for your entry visa (VITAS).
The documents you need when you apply for a Study Permit from the Ministry of Education include:
- Three copies of your passport
- A copy of the Recommendation Letter issued by your university
- A copy of your Letter of Acceptance
- The completed application form.
- A Letter of Recommendation from the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in your country of residence.
- A copy of your academic transcript and records
- Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Two passport-sized photographs
- A Letter of Financial Guarantee or a sponsorship certificate which proves you can cover your study and living expenses.
- Health certificate
Applying for Indonesia Student Visa (VITAS) at the Embassy/Consulate
Once the Immigration Department sends the visa authorization to the Embassy or Consulate, you can then apply for your Indonesian student visa. There may not be an Embassy or Consulate of Indonesia in your country, in which case, you have to find which one is responsible for your jurisdiction – i.e. where you have to go to apply. You can find the Diplomatic Missions of Indonesia here.
- Contact the Embassy/Consulate or visit their website to learn about the visa application requirements. If necessary, make an appointment.
- Collect the required documents for the Indonesia student visa application.
- Pay the Indonesia visa fee. The method of payment changes depending on the specific Embassy or Consulate. In some cases, you may have to pay through a bank, while others accept cash.
- Submit the documents at the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate, by mail or in-person.
- Once they have a decision, you should go back to pick up your passport and documents. If you applied by mail, the Embassy/Consulate will mail them to you.
Please note: Although the process detailed above is a general overview, the exact process varies from country to country. This is why the first thing you should do is contact the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate responsible for your jurisdiction.
This visa is called a VITAS, which is a temporary visa that you will have to exchange for a KITAS (temporary residence permit) once you arrive in Indonesia.
Documents required for Indonesia Student Visa Application (VITAS)
The documents you’ll be required to submit for a Student Visa Application for Indonesia include:
- A copy of your passport
- A copy of the study permit from the Ministry of National Education
- A copy of the Recommendation Letter from your university addressed to the Directorate of Immigration.
- A copy of the Letter of Acceptance Letter from your university
- A copy of your academic transcript and records
- Your Curriculum Vitae
- Two recent passport-size pictures (4×6 cm)
- A Letter of Financial Guarantee or a sponsorship certificate which proves you can cover your study and living expenses.
- Health certificate
Change Your Indonesia Student Visa (VITAS) to KITAS
After you arrive in Indonesia with your VITAS, you have to go to the Immigration Department within 30 days so that you can receive your KITAS (temporary residence permit).
The Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration has an online facility which accepts ITAS/KITAS applications, but you still have to go to the Immigration Offices in person to make the fee payment and receive the ITAS Stamp on your passport.
See a more detailed description of the KITAS application process.
Documents required for an Indonesia Student KITAS
When you apply for a student KITAS in Indonesia, you have to submit the following documents:
- Your passport
- The Letter of Acceptance
- The Letter of Recommendation or the Certificate of Sponsorship from the university
- A copy of of the telex visa
- A copy of of the study permit
- Your CV
- Your academic reports
- Proof of financial responsibility from your parents, legal guardians, or a sponsor during your studies
Register with the Police Headquarters
After receiving your KITAS, you have to get the Police Report Letter (STM) from the local police department and register with the local municipality’s population office and receive your Certificate of Registration for Temporary Resident (SKPPS).
- To register with the police, you need the following documents:
- Letter of request for the Certificate of Police Registration Card from your university
- The Letter of Recommendation or the Certificate of Sponsorship from the university
- A copy of passport and your KITAS
- Passport-size pictures
How Long is Indonesia Student Visa Valid?
The duration of your Indonesian student visa depends on the duration of your courses. The visa itself which you use to enter the country is valid for a maximum of six months, whereas a KITAS can be issued for up to one year.
Can You Extend an Indonesia Student Visa?
Yes, you can extend your student KITAS for the entire duration of your studies. If the KITAS is issued for six months, then you have to renew it every six months until you finish the course. If it is issued for one year, then you have to renew it annually.
Additionally, you also have to apply for an extension of your Study Permit from the Ministry of Education before applying for the KITAS extension.
How Long Does It Take to Receive an Indonesia Student Visa?
The entire process of obtaining an Indonesian student visa, starting from the study permit to the visa application, and finally obtaining the residence permit KITAS, can take up to two months.
Can I Work With an Indonesia Student Visa?
No, a student visa KITAS does not allow the holder to work in Indonesia. You can only work if you have a work permit and work KITAS.
What Is the Indonesia Student Visa Fee?
The fees you have to pay for an Indonesia student visa are as follows:
- Study Permit: IDR 550.000
- Approval letter for Student Visa from the Immigration Department: IDR: .650.000
- KITAS: 420,000 for six months; 770,000 for one year
- Limited Stay Visa:
- Six months: USD 50
- One year: USD 90
- Two years: USD 160
How to pay the Indonesia visa fee?
The way you pay the visa fee depends on what Embassy or Consulate you apply at, and whether you’re applying by mail or in person. The Indonesian Embassies/Consulates have instructions about the payment method on their websites. There isn’t a single acceptable way to pay the Indonesia visa fee.
Note: The visa fees are subject to change, based on new immigration rules as well as the country in which you apply.