For certain activities deemed “cultural”, such as visiting family or an exchange programme there are special visas.
This visa is issued by the Indonesian Embassy to applicants who are going to Indonesia for a social/cultural visit. This may include visiting relatives/friends; social organizations; exchange visits between educational institutions or the undertaking of research and attending training programmes in Indonesia.
This is a single entry (multiple entries must need a special permit from the immigration office in Indonesia) visa and while the maximum length of stay is 60 days, extensions can be applied for and obtained in Indonesia from immigration authorities.
Extensions must be submitted by your respective sponsor i.e. relative/friend/academic institution, who reside or are based in Indonesia. The extension and visa itself will only be issued by the embassy after receiving authorisation from the immigration office in Indonesia itself. Someone who is granted a visa on a student, research or training basis is not permitted to take up employment and must not remain in Indonesia for any other reason than that for which the visa was issued.
To make sure that your passport is returned to you by post you must provide a self addressed envelope. Your visa will be issued within five to six working days after your application provided all of the documents provided are correct.
Required documents for for the social/cultural visa application are as follows:
Together with:
For visiting relatives/friends/social organizations
Regarding student permits, you must obtain a social visa to be able to study in Indonesia. Therefore when completing the social visit visa process as listed above, you must specify that you are a visiting student. Along with the necessary documents for a social/cultural visit visa, if studying in Indonesia, a prospective student must attach a letter of acceptance from the host institution in Indonesia. You must also include a letter of proof or recommendation from your home university confirming that you are allowed and supposed to spend part of your studies in Indonesia. The cost of the social/cultural visit visa is US $23.00 for 4 weeks and US $47.00 for 5 weeks.
Once students arrive in Indonesia, they must go to the administrative department in their respective institution to extend their 4-5 week social visit visa to a student visa. This is very important and must be carried out well in advance as the process is often long-winded. Students should also give their full address of residence while staying in Indonesia so that the university of immigration office can notify them when their student visa is ready to collect.
If and when the application has been approved, the Immigration Head Office in Indonesia will process the change in visa of the student that is from a Social Visit Visa to a Student Visa/Stay Permit. Please be advised that the fee for the Limited/ Temporary Stay Permit Card is Rp.130.000, - (as of 20 February 1998) and can only be paid in cash. If your departure date is after your student visa expires, you can once again extend your visa through the immigration office, or through your institution's’ administrative department.
Please note:
Visas take a long time to process and so plan well in advance and be patient with the whole procedure. It is advised that you do not book any travel tickets until you are certain to receive your visa.
Once in Indonesia, if coming from western society, you may encounter difficulties and differences in the way problems are dealt with in comparison to the West. Any differences are simply due to differences in culture and you must have patience in learning the ways of a new culture.
You should always consult your Supervisor and/or the Student Administration Office at your University in Indonesia, not only for academic matters but also for other matters involving the Immigration Office and in connection with your stay in Indonesia.