Indonesia Student Visa – Requirements, Process & Cost

Are you looking for an Indonesia student visa? If yes then you are at the right place. If you want to study in Indonesia, you will need an Indonesia Student Visa. This includes a few different things: a study permit, an entrance visa, and a residence permit.

These are all important for studying in an Indonesian school or college. In this article, we will learn more about the Indonesia student visa, eligibility criteria, application process, visa fee, documents required, and more. So, let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

• Apply for a Study Permit by getting accepted by an Indonesian university and apply for a study permit online through the Ministry of Education.
• Apply for an Entrance Visa (VITAS) by contacting the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate for an appointment, preparing the required documents, attending the appointment, paying the fee, and collecting the visa.
• Apply for a Residence Permit (KITAS) by visiting the immigration department in Indonesia within 30 days of arrival, filling out forms, paying a fee, and obtaining the residence permit.
• Documents needed for study permit include university acceptance letter, recommendation letters, passport copies, academic records, health certificate, and proof of financial support.
• Documents Needed for Entrance Visa (VITAS) include study permit, passport copy, university acceptance letter, recommendation letters, resume/CV, health certificate, and proof of financial support.
• Documents needed for Residence Permit (KITAS) include study permit, entrance visa, passport, university acceptance letter, recommendation letters, resume/CV, academic transcripts, and proof of financial support.
• Obtain a Police Report Letter (STM) and a Certificate of Registration for Temporary Resident (SKPPS) from the local police and municipality’s population office.
• Visa processing can take up to two months.
• Validity depends on course duration, up to six months for entry and one year for KITAS.
• Renew KITAS every six months or yearly until studies are complete.
• Family members can join a family KITAS after obtaining an entry visa.
• Students cannot work with an Indonesian student visa.
• Fees vary for different stages of the visa process, ranging from IDR 550,000 to USD 160.

How To Apply For Indonesia Student Visa?

To get an Indonesian student visa, you need to first be accepted by an Indonesian university and get a letter of acceptance. Then, you have to follow these steps:

1. Apply for a Study Permit from the Indonesian Ministry of Education.
2. Apply for an entry visa (VITAS) at the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in your country.
3. After you arrive in Indonesia, change the VITAS into a KITAS (limited stay permit) at the Immigration Department.
4. Obtain a Certificate of Police Registration Card.

All these steps put together make up the Indonesia student visa because there is not just one application for it.

How To Apply For a Study Permit?

Here is how to apply for a study permit:

1. First, you need to get accepted into an Indonesian university. This means you will get a letter saying you are in, and you might have to pay some fees to enroll.
2. Then, your university starts the process for you. They do this online through the Ministry of Education and Culture’s website.
3. You will have to give your university some documents they need for the application. They will tell you exactly what documents they need.
4. Once everything is ready, your application goes in. It usually takes about one to two weeks for a decision to come back.
5. If your application gets approved, the Ministry of Education and Culture sends your study permit and visa authorization to the Immigration Department in your home country. This starts the visa process for you.

How To Apply For an Entrance Visa (VITAS)?

Here is how to apply for an entrance visa (VITAS):

1. First, you need to contact the embassy or consulate in your area to make an appointment for your visa application.
2. Get all your documents ready for your appointment. Make sure you have everything they ask for. They will tell you what you need.
3. When you go for your appointment, you will need to give them your documents and answer some easy questions.
4. Don’t forget to pay the application fee before leaving. Different consulates might accept different payment methods, so it’s good to check.
5. Once your visa gets approved, you can go back to the consulate to pick up your passport and documents.

How To Apply For a Residence Permit (KITAS)?

Here is how to get a residence permit (KITAS) in Indonesia:

1. First, go to the immigration department in Indonesia within 30 days of arriving there. You will need to fill out some forms and pay a fee.
2. After you submit your paperwork, it usually takes about 10 days to change your entrance visa (VITAS) into a residence permit (KITAS).
3. Once you have your KITAS, you must visit the local police department to get a police report letter (STM). 
4. Then, take this letter to your municipality’s population office. They will give you a certificate of registration for temporary residence (SKPPS).

What Are The Documents Required For The Study Permit?

Here is what you need to apply for a study permit in Indonesia:

1. A letter from your university saying you got accepted.
2. Another letter from your university recommending you.
3. A letter of recommendation from an Indonesian embassy, mission, or consulate in your home country.
4. Fill out an online application form.
5. Give three copies of your passport.
6. Provide two passport-sized photos of yourself.
7. Show your academic records.
8. Give your resume or CV.
9. Get a recent health certificate.
10. Show a letter promising you have enough money to cover your expenses while in Indonesia.

What Are The Documents Required For the Entrance Visa (VITAS)?

Here is what you will need for your entrance visa (VITAS) application:

1. Bring your study permit.
2. Make a copy of your passport.
3. Get a formal letter from your university saying you got accepted.
4. Have your institution write a recommendation letter for you.
5. Show your qualifications and achievements.
6. Give your resume or CV.
7. Provide two recent passport photos of yourself.
8. Get a letter promising you have enough money to cover your expenses.
9. Show a recent health certificate.

What Are The Documents Required For The Residence Permit (KITAS)?

Here’s what you need for your residence permit (KITAS):

1. Make a copy of your study permit.
2. Get a copy of your entrance visa (VITAS).
3. Bring your passport.
4. Show the letter from your university saying you got accepted.
5. Have your university write a recommendation letter for you.
6. Give your resume or CV.
7. Show your academic transcripts and records.
8. Provide proof that you have enough money to cover your living expenses.

How To Register With The Police Headquarters?

After you get your KITAS, you need to go to the local police and get the Police Report Letter (STM). Then, you must go to the municipality’s population office to register and get your Certificate of Registration for Temporary Resident (SKPPS).

To register with the police, you will need these things:

• Ask your university for a letter requesting the Certificate of Police Registration Card.
• Get a Letter of Recommendation or Certificate of Sponsorship from your university.
• Bring copies of your passport and KITAS.
• Have some passport-sized photos ready.

Indonesia Student Visa Processing Time

If you want to get an Indonesian student visa, it can be a bit complicated and take a while Sometimes up to two months.

Every country has its own processing time and Indonesia is no different. For example the processing time for student visa in Poland can vary from visa processing time in Argentina.

So, it is smart to start the process as soon as you know you are going to study there. You can’t go to Indonesia without your visa, so don’t risk your plans by waiting too long to apply.

Duration of Indonesia Student Visa 

Your Indonesian student visa lasts as long as your courses do. When you use it to enter the country, it is good for up to six months. But if you get a KITAS, it can be valid for a whole year.

Can You Extend an Indonesia Student Visa?

You can keep your student KITAS for your whole study time. If it’s for six months, you renew it every six months until you finish. If it is for a year, you renew it yearly. 

Remember, before extending your KITAS, you need to ask the Ministry of Education for a Study Permit extension.

Can You Bring Your Family to Indonesia on the Student Visa?

Once you have your KITAS, you can bring your family to Indonesia on a family KITAS. They need to go to the local immigration office and apply for it. 

1. First, they will need to get an entry visa.
2. Then, they will fill out forms and have an interview. 
3. After that, their single-visit visa will become a KITAS.

Can You Work With a Indonesia Student Visa?

You cannot work while studying with an Indonesian student visa. Please remember this and make sure you have enough money to pay for your expenses.

What Is the Indonesia Student Visa Fee?

Here is how much you need to pay for your Indonesia student visa:

• For the Study Permit, it is IDR 550,000.
• To get the Approval letter for your Student Visa from the Immigration Department, it is IDR 650,000.
• For the KITAS, it is either IDR 420,000 for six months or IDR 770,000 for one year.
• If you need a Limited Stay Visa, it costs USD 50 for six months, USD 90 for one year, and USD 160 for two years.

How To Pay The Indonesia Visa Fee?

How you pay for your visa depends on which Embassy or Consulate you are dealing with. It also depends on whether you are applying in person or by mail. Each Indonesian Embassy or Consulate will have its instructions on its website about how to pay. 

There is not just one way to pay for the Indonesia visa fee. Also, please remember that visa fees might change, depending on new immigration rules and the country where you are applying.

What If Your Indonesia Student Visa Is Rejected?

If you follow the steps and provide all the right documents, it is unlikely that your entry to Indonesia will be refused. 

But if it does happen, don’t worry. You can try again later. Just make sure your application is complete and correct. 

Here are some common reasons why visas are rejected:

• You forgot to include some papers.
• Your passport might be too close to expiring.
• You did not show enough money to pay for your studies.
• Your application form was not filled out properly.

Indonesia Student Visa Summary

Indonesia Student Visa	Description
Visa Type	Student Visa (VITAS) & Residence Permit (KITAS)
Eligibility	Acceptance by Indonesian University
Process	1. Study Permit (Ministry of Education)2. VITAS (Embassy/Consulate)3. KITAS (Immigration Department)
Documents (Study Permit)	Acceptance Letter, Recommendation Letters, Application Form, Passport Copies, Photos, Academic Records, Resume/CV, Health Certificate, Financial Guarantee
Documents (VITAS)	Study Permit, Passport Copy, Acceptance Letter, Recommendation Letter, Qualifications, Resume/CV, Photos, Financial Guarantee, Health Certificate
Documents (KITAS)	Study Permit Copy, VITAS Copy, Passport, Acceptance Letter, Recommendation Letter, Resume/CV, Transcripts, Financial Proof
Processing Time	Up to 2 months
Visa Duration	VITAS: Up to 6 months (single entry)KITAS: Up to 1 year (renewable)
Extending Stay	Apply before expiry (Ministry of Education & Immigration Department)
Working	Not allowed
Family	Family KITAS possible after obtaining KITAS
Fees	Vary by document type (refer to full guide for details)
Rejection Reasons	Incomplete documents, expiring passport, insufficient funds, application errors

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

If you are eager to study in Indonesia, you will need an Indonesia student visa. The Indonesian student visa includes three main documents: a study permit, an entrance visa (VITAS), and a temporary residence permit (KITAS). 

The entrance visa lasts up to six months, while the residence permit is valid for a year and needs renewal yearly until you finish your studies. 

The costs may vary. It is based on your nationality and the exchange rate, but overall, the process usually amounts to around IDR 1,970,000, which equals approximately $122 or €115.