The complete visa procedure can be divided into three parts and several stages. Following these rules ensures that you are most likely to be accepted.

Apply for a study permit:

• Take a place at an Indonesian university: get an official letter of admission and pay any entrance fees.
• Your university starts the application process: your institution will start the application on your behalf through the online portal of the Ministry of Education and Culture.
• Submit documentation: your university will need several supporting documents to complete the application.
• Apply and wait for a decision: the application processing period is from one to two weeks. The Ministry of Education and Culture will send your approved study permit and visa authorization to the Immigration Department in your country so that you can start the visa application process.

There is no one-time student visa in Indonesia. Therefore, as soon as you have received an acceptance letter from an Indonesian higher education institution, you must: apply for a study permit from the Directorate General of Higher Education of Indonesia.

At this point, you can still be abroad. Therefore, your university in Indonesia should assist you in the process of applying for a study permit from the General Directorate of Higher Education of Indonesia. 

The documents that must be submitted to apply for a study permit include:

• three passport copies;
• a copy of the letter of recommendation issued by your university
• a copy of your acceptance letter;
• completed questionnaire;
• a letter of recommendation from the Indonesian embassy / consulate in your country of residence
• a copy of your academic transcript and records;
• two passport-size photos;
• a letter of financial guarantee or sponsorship certificate confirming that you can cover tuition and living expenses; and
• health certificate.

Once your study permit is issued, the Directorate-General for Higher Education will transfer it to the Immigration Department's headquarters in Jakarta so that they can issue your visa.

Apply for an entry visa (VITAS) at the Indonesian embassy / consulate in your country.

Once the Immigration Department has sent the visa authorization to the Indonesian embassy or consulate, you can apply for VITAS. There may not be an Indonesian embassy or consulate in your country, in which case you need to find out which one is responsible for your jurisdiction to get information on the detailed process for applying for a student visa to Indonesia.

To apply for VITAS, you must provide the following documents:

• a copy of your passport;
• a copy of the study permit from the Directorate General of Higher Education of Indonesia;
• a copy of the letter of recommendation from your university addressed to the Immigration Department.
• a copy of the letter of enrollment from your university;
• a copy of your academic transcript and records;
• the last two passport-size photos (4 × 6 cm);
• a letter of financial guarantee or sponsorship certificate confirming that you can cover tuition and living expenses; and
• health certificate.

Change VITAS to KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit) in the Immigration Department upon arrival in Indonesia

Within 30 days of your arrival in Indonesia with VITAS, you must apply to the Immigration Department to obtain a temporary stay permit (KITAS). Despite the fact that the Directorate General of Immigration of Indonesia has an online service for applying to KITAS, you will still have to apply in person to the immigration office to pay the fee and get a KITAS stamp on your passport.

To apply for a student KITAS in Indonesia, you must submit the following documents:

• your passport;
• your letter of acceptance;
• a letter of recommendation or sponsorship certificate from your university;
• copy of telex visa;
• a copy of your study permit;
• your resume;
• your academic reports;
• proof of financial responsibility from your parents, legal guardians or sponsor during your studies.

Get a police registration certificate

Once you have received your KITAS, you must obtain a Police Report Letter (STM) from the local police department and register with the local municipality's population office and obtain your temporary resident registration certificate (SKPPS).

To register with the police, you must submit the following documents:

• a letter requesting a police registration certificate from your university;
• a letter of recommendation or sponsorship certificate from your university;
• copy of passport and KITAS;
• passport size photos.

Indonesian student visa processing time

Obtaining an Indonesian student visa is a long and difficult process and can take up to two months from start to finish.

Therefore, it is advisable to start applying as soon as you receive confirmation of the location of your university. You cannot travel to Indonesia until you obtain a visa, so do not risk your plans by applying too late.

Your family can join you in Indonesia

Once you have obtained a temporary stay permit (KITAS), you will be able to bring your children and wife to Indonesia on a dependant visa, also known as a family KITAS.

Your loved ones will need to apply for a dependent visa at the local Indonesian immigration office, so they will first need to obtain a visa to enter the country. After filling in the required forms and passing the interview, their one-time visa will be converted into KITAS.

Work on an Indonesian student visa

Unfortunately, an Indonesian student visa does not allow you to work during your studies. It is important to keep this in mind and to have sufficient financial resources to cover your living expenses.