Semester Visa

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 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. Similarly, a VITAS visa does not allow a student to work

Obtaining your visa outside of Perth

VITAS visa application forms

Application forms for family members

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 and Sydney (and also London and The Hague) . 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 students as a group.

UGM instructions on getting a KITAS

Notes on getting a research permit

Research permits in Indonesia

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 acicis@murdoch.edu.au for further details about this.

Taking children to Indonesia with you.