Indonesia Student KITAS — Student Visa
🎓 OVERVIEW
The Student KITAS (Kartu Izin Tinggal Terbatas / Limited Stay Permit Card) is the residence permit for international students studying at accredited Indonesian educational institutions. The process involves obtaining a VITAS (Limited Stay Visa) from an Indonesian embassy abroad, then converting it to an ITAS (Limited Stay Permit) and physical KITAS card upon arrival in Indonesia. Requires a sponsor (educational institution).
💰 TUITION & COSTS
Public universities (UI, ITB, UGM): IDR 5,000,000–30,000,000/yr ($300–$1,900) for most programmes. Private universities: IDR 15,000,000–80,000,000/yr ($950–$5,000). International programmes: IDR 30,000,000–100,000,000/yr ($1,900–$6,300). Indonesia is one of the most affordable study destinations in Southeast Asia. KNB (Kemitraan Negara Berkembang) scholarship covers full tuition for developing country students.
💼 WORK RIGHTS DURING STUDY
Student KITAS holders are NOT allowed to engage in paid work. No part-time employment permitted. Volunteering and academic activities subject to local regulations. To work, must obtain a separate KITAS for employment (with work permit/IMTA).
🎯 POST-STUDY WORK OPTIONS
| Program | Type | Duration | Min Degree | Work | PR Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment KITAS (IMTA) | Work permit | 12mo-24mo | Bachelors | Unrestricted | Yes |
🗣️ LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min Score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT / IELTS | Admission | English | — | Required for English-taught programmes. Many Indonesian universities offer English-medium programmes for international students. TOEFL 61+ or IELTS 5.5+ is typical. Bahasa Indonesia proficiency required for Indonesian-taught programmes. |
| UKBI (Uji Kemahiran Berbahasa Indonesia) | Admission | Indonesian | — | Required for Indonesian-taught programmes. Darmasiswa scholarship recipients typically take Indonesian language courses as part of their programme. |
💵 FEES & COSTS
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| VITAS Application Fee | Application | $125 | One time |
| ITAS/KITAS Issuance | Issuance | $95 | Per year |
| MERP (Multiple Exit Re-entry Permit) | Travel | $110 | Per year |
👨👩👧👦 DEPENDENTS & FAMILY
🛤️ LONG-TERM PATHWAY
📝 HOW TO APPLY
📌 NOTES & CAVEATS
Process is complex: TELEX approval → VITAS at embassy → enter Indonesia → convert to ITAS → receive KITAS card (10 working days). Total process 4–8 weeks. MERP (Multiple Exit Re-entry Permit) costs ~IDR 1,750,000/yr for unlimited re-entry. Must report to immigration for annual renewal. Darmasiswa scholarship provides 1-year study grants for arts, culture, and Indonesian language. Indonesia recently increased application fees for most permit types.
🔗 ALSO IN INDONESIA
- B211A Business Visit Visa (digital nomad visa)
- Indonesia Second Home Visa (golden visa)
- Indonesia Retirement KITAS (retirement)
- Indonesia Golden Visa (golden visa)
Last verified: Mar 21, 2026. Source