Some General Information

The Vitas Visa

In order for a foreigner to study in Indonesia for more than a few weeks, a special study visa known as a VITAS is required. These visas are not automatically issued on request, but involve a time-consuming application process. Without ACICIS, it can take 12 months to obtain a VITAS visa. Once a foreign student arrives in Indonesia, their visa must be converted to a temporary resident’s permit (KITAS), another laborious process. The ACICIS Secretariat handles the processing of VITAS for students enrolled in the Study Indonesia Program prior to their departure, and the ACICIS Resident Director aids students at orientation in the visa conversion process once in Indonesia.

All SIP students enter Indonesia on a Vitas (Visa Izin Tinggal Sementara – Temporary Stay Visa), which is applied for on their behalf by ACICIS. ACICIS has established arrangements to make the process of application much easier and faster than has been the case in the past. At no time can a tourist visa be converted to a study visa in Indonesia (Vitas or SosBud). Students entering Indonesia on a regular tourist visa will be required to leave the country and re-enter on the correct visa.

In order to obtain a Vitas, it is important that applicants supply EVERY item required on the application checklist. Failure to do so, considering time constraints, is likely to mean ACICIS will not be able to finalise visas. If you foresee any difficulties in ACICIS obtaining a Vitas on your behalf, please contact the Secretariat acicis@murdoch.edu.au, as soon as possible. Vitas for the majority of Australian participants are processed through the Perth Indonesian Consulate, therefore participants will be required to courier their passports to the Secretariat by a specified date (NOT with their application). We also regularly arrange for visas to be issued at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore. International participants should contact the Secretariat for information on visa procedures. Host universities and the ACICIS Resident Director assist in reporting to authorities, but can only do so by dealing with all SIP students as a group.

Accompanying family members: ACICIS is able to assist in obtaining Vitas visas only for family members who intend to accompany applicants to Indonesia. Applications for accompanying family members must be made at the same time as the study application. Please contact the ACICIS Secretariat Secretariat acicis@murdoch.edu.au, for further details about this.

Orientation

Each semester kicks off with Orientation, which is an integral part of the Study Indonesia Program. The orientation covers academic programs and enrolment; assessment and evaluation; liaison with the Resident Director; guidelines for field work; accommodation; visa renewals; conduct and legal requirements during the program; Indonesian customs, manners and food; and practicalities of living in Indonesia.

It is difficult to estimate how much money is needed to cover living costs, as student preferences vary considerably. While living costs in Indonesia are cheap by Australian standards, it is wise not to underestimate cash needs. Although students will be responsible to find and arrange their ownaccommodation (with support from ACICIS), it is recommended that students live with Indonesian families or other students rather than sharing houses. Options include room with board; dormitory; room alone; or renting a house. As Yogyakarta and Malang are university towns, there are many rooms and homes available to rent. Adequate routine medical care is available in all major cities in Indonesia.

Students are provided with a comprehensive pre- departure information package upon acceptance into the program, which includes among other information advice from past students on their experiences with accommodation, finances and cultural adjustment.

Children in Yogyakarta

ACICIS students often take their children with them when they go to Indonesia to study. Although there can be a difficult initial period of settling in to the new environment and culture, the children without exception end up having a great time. Many mothers hire a maid to assist them with the daily tasks of looking after the children, since it gives them the free time necessary to study. This is an inexpensive option in Yogyakarta. Children also are able to attend a local Indonesian school.

Semester Dates

All programs roughly follow the Indonesian Academic Calendar, in which semesters run from early February to the end of June and early September to late January. All students, regardless of their destination are required to arrive in Yogyakarta prior to the commencement of academic course options for an ACICIS Orientation weekend but not earlier than three days before the commencement of Orientation. A student evaluation and 'debriefing' exercise will be conducted at the conclusion of each semester. The following is a guide to expected semester dates.

*These dates are the final closing dates for the submission of field reports. Many students however choose to submit their reports on the day of their seminar presentation (the earlier date).

Application Closing Dates

You will need to ensure that either you or your home university forwards a completed ACICIS Application Package and your non-refundable Visa/Orientation fee to the ACICIS by 1 October for the following 1st Semester of the year, and by 1 May for the following 2nd Semester. This is to allow preparation of supporting documentation for visa applications and completion of Indonesian enrolment requirements. ACICIS reserves the right to refuse or accept late applications. A late fee may apply on applications received after 1st Oct/May. Late submissions have less chance of obtaining the necessary visa. Please contact the Secretariat for further information.