🇮🇩 Indonesia · Study Abroad
How to study in Indonesia as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Quick answer
To study in Indonesia you apply to the university, which helps arrange your study permit; you then receive a limited-stay visa (VITAS) and, after arrival, a limited-stay permit (KITAS) through immigration, with the institution as sponsor. Some programs are in English. Explore the university sites and apply by the deadline.
Studying in Indonesia depends on admission by an eligible institution, the correct study visa or limited-stay basis and compliance with university and immigration reporting rules.
- Immigration lists education limited-stay categories such as E30 and subcategories for basic, higher and exchange study.
- Institution admission, passport validity, sponsor or guarantor documents and proof of funds can be category-specific.
- Scholarship students should cross-check scholarship documents with immigration requirements before travel.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose your course and institution
Choose your program and apply to the university; some programs are in English. Explore the university sites.
- 2
Meet academic and language requirements
Meet the academic entry requirements and prove language ability (e.g. an English or local-language test) at the level the course demands.
- 3
Apply for admission
Apply for admission through the relevant application route by the deadline, with transcripts, test scores and supporting documents.
- 4
Receive offer and enrollment document
On acceptance, obtain your official enrollment/acceptance document, which you will need for the visa application.
- 5
Apply for your student visa
Receive a limited-stay visa (VITAS); after arrival, obtain a limited-stay permit (KITAS) through immigration, with the university as your sponsor.
- 6
Arrive, enroll and know the rules
Arrive before the term, complete enrollment and any residence registration, and note the rules on part-time work and post-study stay.
Checklist
- Course, level and institution chosen
- Academic + language requirements met
- Admission application submitted by deadline
- Offer + enrollment/acceptance document received
- Proof of funds + health cover prepared
- Student visa applied for + granted
- Arrival, enrollment + registration done
- Work-hours and post-study stay rules understood
Official authorities
- Immigration — visa category list
Official immigration list including education visa categories.
- Kemendikbud
Official education ministry portal.
Frequently asked questions
What is a KITAS?
A limited-stay permit; as a student, it is sponsored by your institution and valid for your study period, following the VITAS visa.
Who sponsors my study permit?
The university acts as your sponsor and helps arrange the VITAS and KITAS through Indonesian immigration.
Are programs in English?
Some are — many programs are in Indonesian, but an increasing number of degrees are taught in English; check each program.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.