Indonesia is a Southeast Asian country with a rich and diverse culture. It can also be an appealing destination for higher education because of its relatively affordable tuition fees and high-quality universities.
Once you have been accepted by an Indonesian higher education institution, coordinate with your university or sponsor to apply for the appropriate visa. For students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral studies, the relevant category is generally the E30B Higher Education Visa. Other education-related visa categories are available for non-formal education, elementary and secondary education, study in a special economic zone, and student exchanges.
Steps on Applying for an Indonesian Student Visa
Here is a step-by-step guide to the current E30B application process for higher education students.
Step 1. Complete the Student Permit Requirements
After admission, ask your university whether it will process a separate study-permit recommendation through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology’s Izin Belajar service. This education-sector process is separate from the immigration application. Your university should advise you which documents it needs.
For the E30B immigration application, the official requirements include a sponsor, a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds, a recent color photograph, a curriculum vitae, an itinerary, proof of sponsorship, and an acceptance letter.
Step 2. Wait for the Approval Letter
Your sponsor must submit the E30B application online. The sponsor may be an individual or the educational institution where you will study. Once the application is approved, a link to download the visa is sent electronically. The current process does not require students to wait for an embassy to mail an approval letter.
Step 3. Collect All Your Visa Requirements
Prepare the electronic files that your sponsor will need for the E30B application:
- A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity
- Bank statements for the most recent three months in your name or your sponsor’s name, showing at least US$2,000 or the equivalent
- A recent color photograph taken within the past year
- Your curriculum vitae
- Your travel itinerary
- Proof of sponsorship from an individual or the educational institution where you will study
- An acceptance letter stating the duration of your studies
Step 4. Start Your Online Application
Your sponsor must have an account on the official Indonesian e-Visa website. The sponsor submits the E30B application after signing in. Coordinate with your university or sponsor so that your information and documents are complete and accurate.
Step 5. Upload the Supporting Documents
Your sponsor uploads the required electronic documents in PDF or JPEG format. These include your passport, three months of bank statements showing at least US$2,000 or the equivalent, a recent color photograph, your curriculum vitae, your itinerary, proof of sponsorship, and your acceptance letter.
Your university may request additional documents for its own admissions procedures or for a separate education-sector study-permit recommendation.
Step 6. Pay the Visa Fee
The official E30B government fee depends on the permitted length of stay:
- One year: Rp6,000,000
- Two years: Rp8,500,000
- Four years: Rp12,000,000
The official e-Visa website states that visa fees can be paid through SIMPONI or with a Mastercard, Visa, or JCB credit or debit card. Any additional service fee charged by a university or third-party provider is separate from the government fee and should be confirmed directly with the institution or provider.
Step 7. Submit the Visa Application Documents
Your sponsor submits the E30B application and supporting documents electronically through the official e-Visa portal. The current official process does not instruct applicants to mail the standard application packet to an embassy or consulate.
Step 8. Wait for the Approval
The stated processing time for an E30B application is five working days after the visa payment has been received. Once the application is approved, the visa can be downloaded electronically.
The visa must be used within 90 days of issuance. This visa-validity period is different from your permitted length of stay in Indonesia.
Step 9. Fly to Jakarta and Register at the Immigration Office
You do not need to fly specifically to Jakarta or visit an immigration office merely to obtain your Limited Stay Permit. Your electronic Limited Stay Permit, also known as an e-ITAS, and your re-entry permit are issued automatically when you are permitted to enter Indonesia at an immigration checkpoint. A physical ITAS card is available from an immigration office if needed.
All travelers must also submit an arrival card within three days before arriving in Indonesia. Follow the instructions on the official Indonesian e-Visa website.
E30B stay permits can be extended online through the official e-Visa portal. Check the applicable extension window before your permit expires.
Step 10. Apply for a Police Registration Card
The current official E30B instructions do not list a police registration card, or SKLD, as a standard visa-application or arrival step for every higher education student. The Indonesian National Police still lists SKLD among the services that its integrated police service centers can provide. Follow your university’s instructions and contact the relevant local authority if you are told that local reporting requirements apply to your circumstances.
Documents Needed for Indonesian Student Visa Applications
For an E30B Higher Education Visa, your sponsor submits the required electronic documents through the official e-Visa portal. Your university may request additional documents for admission or for a separate education-sector study-permit recommendation.
Acceptance Letter
An acceptance letter from your educational institution is required. It should state the duration of your studies.
Recommendation Letter
The current E30B visa checklist does not list a general university recommendation letter as a standard immigration requirement. It requires proof of sponsorship from an individual or the educational institution where you will study.
Completed Visa Application Form
The sponsor submits the E30B application online through the official e-Visa portal. The current E30B instructions do not list a university-specific paper visa form as a standard immigration requirement.
Letter of Recommendation from the Indonesian Consulate or Embassy
The current E30B visa checklist does not list a recommendation letter from an Indonesian consulate or embassy as a standard requirement.
Passport Bio-Page Copies
Your sponsor must upload an electronic copy of your valid passport. Your passport must have at least six months of remaining validity. The current E30B instructions do not require three paper copies of the passport bio-page.
Academic Transcripts and Records
Academic transcripts and records may be required by your university or for a separate education-sector study-permit recommendation. However, they are not listed as standard E30B immigration documents on the current official visa page.
Passport Photos
Your sponsor must upload a recent color photograph taken within the past year. The current E30B instructions do not state that the photograph must have a red background or specify the dimensions listed in older guidance.
Letter of Financial Guarantee or Sponsorship Certificate
The current E30B requirements include proof of sponsorship and bank statements for the most recent three months in your name or your sponsor’s name, showing at least US$2,000 or the equivalent.
Health Certificate
A health certificate may be requested by your university or for a separate education-sector study-permit recommendation. However, it is not listed as a standard E30B immigration document on the current official visa page.
Once the permit has been issued, you may apply for a student visa. The requirements for this are as follows:
For a current E30B Higher Education Visa application, your sponsor should prepare the following electronic files:
- A valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity
- Bank statements for the most recent three months in your name or your sponsor’s name, showing at least US$2,000 or the equivalent
- A recent color photograph taken within the past year
- Your curriculum vitae
- Your travel itinerary
- Proof of sponsorship from an individual or the educational institution where you will study
- An acceptance letter stating the duration of your studies
FAQs: Student Visa Applications for Indonesia
How Much Money Do You Need for an Indonesian Student Visa?
The official government fee for an E30B Higher Education Visa is Rp6,000,000 for a one-year stay, Rp8,500,000 for a two-year stay, or Rp12,000,000 for a four-year stay.
You must also provide bank statements for the most recent three months in your name or your sponsor’s name, showing at least US$2,000 or the equivalent. A university or third-party provider may charge a separate service fee, so confirm any additional charges directly before making a payment.
We hope that this article on student visas in Indonesia was helpful! If you are interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
