In a new development aimed at enhancing accessibility to the Indonesian education sector, the government has launched a Limited Stay Visa for Non-Formal Education (Visa Tinggal Terbatas Pendidikan Non-Formal), effective as of July 15, 2025.
Commonly referred to as the E30 visa, the new policy allows foreign nationals to undertake non-formal education programmes in Indonesia for a period of up to two years.
The policy is part of broader efforts to support inclusivity in education and raise Indonesia’s global competitiveness through knowledge exchange.
Non-formal education includes a wide variety of programmes such as language courses, technical training, vocational classes, and other professional skill development schemes designed to support individuals in their career paths.
“Applications for the Non-Formal Education Visa are submitted online through the official website evisa.imigrasi.go.id. To apply for this visa, foreign nationals must have a sponsor, which can be an individual or the non-formal education institution they are targeting,” explained Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, in a statement delivered to the national media on Wednesday, 16 July 2025.
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To qualify for the visa, applicants must fulfil several requirements. These requirements include holding a valid passport for at least six months, providing proof of sufficient financial resources equivalent to a minimum of USD 2,000, submitting a recent colour passport photograph, and obtaining a valid guarantor.
The visa is available in two durations: one year or two years. The official government charge (PNBP) for a one-year stay is IDR 6,000,000, while the fee for a two-year stay is IDR 8,500,000.
Extension of Stay Periods for Formal Education Visas
Alongside the launch of the E30 visa, the Directorate General of Immigration has updated the stay permit conditions for formal education visas.
These changes apply to both the basic and secondary education visa (E30A) and the higher education visa (E30B), which now permit a maximum stay of up to four years.
Previously, these visas were restricted to one or two years.
“With the option of a four-year stay, we hope to provide greater certainty and comfort for foreign students pursuing education in Indonesia,” said Yuldi.
The government has set the fee for a four-year formal education visa at IDR 12,000,000, while the one-year and two-year options retain the existing rates of IDR 6,000,000 and IDR 8,500,000, respectively.
Yuldi further emphasised that this policy is designed to create long-term opportunities for international students and to strengthen the position of Indonesian institutions in the global academic landscape.
“We hope this policy will open up more opportunities for foreign nationals who wish to develop themselves through education in Indonesia, both formal and non-formal. This is also a strategic step in supporting the enhancement of Indonesia’s global competitiveness through the education sector,” he added.
Indonesia is home to more than 3,100 higher education institutions, including 125 state universities, several of which have ranked among the world’s top 300 universities. Fields such as language studies and cultural education remain particular draws for foreign students.
“Universities in Indonesia have great potential as study destinations for foreign students, especially in fields such as cultural studies and languages,” said Yuldi.
Through these developments, the Indonesian government aims to attract a broader international academic audience and improve the quality and diversity of its education offerings across formal and non-formal platforms.
