Foreigners Can Now Apply For Non-formal Learning Visas In Indonesia

The Directorate General of Immigration of the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections said that foreign nationals (WNA) can now apply for limited stay visas (vitas) to attend non-formal education in Indonesia.

Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman said that the residence permit from the visa with the E30 index can be granted for one year or two years.

"Requests for non-formal education visas are carried out online through evisa.imigration.go.id. To apply for this visa, foreigners need to have a guarantor. The guarantee can be an individual or non-formal educational institution that is intended," said Yuldi, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 16.

The policy, which takes effect from Tuesday (15/7), is here to facilitate foreigners who want to take language courses, schools of expertise or professionalism, or other non-formal education to support their careers.

The requirements for applying for the visa are no different from other types of visas, namely passports with a validity period of a minimum of six months, proof of having a living cost while in Indonesian territory (at least 2,000 US dollars), and a recent color pass photo.

Meanwhile, the cost of non-tax state revenue (PNBP) to apply for an E30 visa includes Rp6,000,000 for a validity period of one year and Rp8,500,000 for a validity period of a residence permit of two years.

In addition, the Director General of Immigration also added the option of validity of residence permits from formal education visas. Basic and secondary education visas (E30A index) as well as higher education visas (E30B index) are now available with a residence permit period of four years.

"Previously, the validity period of residence permits for formal education was only one year and two years," said Yuldi.

Applicants for education visas E30A and E30B can be guaranteed by individual guarantors and related educational institutions.

The PNBP fee for formal education visas with a validity period of four years is IDR 12,000,000, while residence permits with a validity period of one year and two years are subject to a fee of IDR 6,000,000 and IDR 8,500,000.

Yuldi said the number of universities in Indonesia currently reaches 3,115 campuses with 125 of them being state universities.

According to him, universities in Indonesia have great potential to become goals for foreign students. In addition to several leading universities that are included in the list of the 300 best universities in the world, the subjects offered by the faculty or departments related to cultural science are also in demand by foreign students.

"We hope that this policy can open up more opportunities for foreigners who want to develop themselves through education in Indonesia, both formal and non-formal. This is also a strategic step in supporting Indonesia's increasing competitiveness in the global arena through the education sector," said Yuldi.