E31 Student KITAS Indonesia 2026: International School Enrollment and Visa Guide

What Is the E31 Student KITAS?

The E31 Student KITAS (Visa Tinggal Terbatas Pelajar/Mahasiswa) is Indonesia's educational stay permit for foreign nationals enrolled in recognized Indonesian educational institutions. This includes international schools, national-plus schools, and universities.

Unlike most KITAS types where a company or individual acts as sponsor, the E31 Student KITAS is sponsored by the educational institution itself. The school or university acts as the guarantor and handles the immigration application on behalf of the student.

This visa type serves a growing population of foreign families relocating to Indonesia, particularly to Bali, Jakarta, and other major cities with established international school communities. With over 200 international schools across Indonesia, the E31 pathway is well-established and regularly processed.

Who Needs an E31 Student KITAS?

Not every foreign child in Indonesia needs an E31 Student KITAS. Here is when it applies:

E31 Is Needed When

• The child does not have another valid KITAS (such as E33E dependent)
• The family is relocating specifically for education
• The child is attending school independently (e.g., boarding school)
• Parents do not hold KITAS that would cover the child as a dependent

E31 Is NOT Needed When

• The child already holds E33E dependent KITAS (under a parent's work KITAS)
• The child holds KITAP (permanent stay)
• The child has Indonesian citizenship
• The child is on a short-term visit visa for a program under 60 days

E31 vs E33E: Which One?

Most families choose E33E if one parent holds a work KITAS, as it simplifies administration. E31 is primarily for students whose parents do not hold KITAS or who attend boarding school.

Requirements for E31 Student KITAS

Student Requirements

School Requirements (Sponsor)

Parent/Guardian Requirements

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: School Enrollment

Before any immigration process begins, the student must be accepted by an Indonesian educational institution.

• Apply to the school directly
• Provide academic records, references, and any required entrance exam results
• Receive formal acceptance letter
• Pay enrollment deposit (school-specific)

Step 2: School Initiates Immigration Process

The school's administrative team (or their immigration agent) handles the KITAS application:

1. School submits sponsor guarantee letter
2. Student's documents are compiled and submitted to immigration
3. VITAS (visa) application filed at the Directorate General of Immigration

Step 3: VITAS Issuance

The VITAS (Visa Izin Tinggal Terbatas) is issued, allowing the student to enter Indonesia with the intent of obtaining KITAS. If the student is already in Indonesia on another visa type, onshore conversion may be possible.

VITAS processing time: 5-10 working days

Step 4: Arrival and KITAS Processing

Upon arrival in Indonesia (or after VITAS approval for onshore applications):

1. Report to the local immigration office
2. Biometric enrollment (fingerprints, photo)
3. KITAS card issuance

KITAS processing time: 1-2 weeks after arrival/approval

Step 5: STK (Surat Tanda Kependudukan) Registration

After receiving the KITAS card:

1. Register at local Dukcapil (Civil Registry) office
2. Obtain SKT/SKTT (temporary resident registration)
3. Report to local RT/RW (neighborhood administration)

Age Limits and School Types

International Schools (Ages 4-18)

International schools in Indonesia cater to foreign and Indonesian students following international curricula (IB, Cambridge, American, etc.). E31 KITAS is commonly used for:

Popular international schools in Bali:

• Bali Island School
• Green School Bali
• Canggu Community School
• Australian Independent School
• Dyatmika School

Universities (No Upper Age Limit)

Foreign students enrolling in Indonesian universities can also receive E31 KITAS. This includes:

• Undergraduate programs (S1)
• Master's programs (S2)
• Doctoral programs (S3)
• Short-term exchange programs (semester or year abroad)
• Bahasa Indonesia language programs at recognized institutions

Requirements for university E31:

• Acceptance letter from accredited Indonesian university
• Academic transcripts from previous institution
• Language proficiency (if required by the university)
• Financial guarantee for the study period

Can Parents Get a Visa from Their Child's Student KITAS?

This is a common question, and the answer is no. Indonesian immigration does not provide dependent visas for parents based on a child's E31 Student KITAS. The dependency relationship only works in one direction: parents can sponsor children as dependents, but children cannot sponsor parents.

Parent Visa Options When Child Is on E31

Recommended Family Strategy

If you are moving to Indonesia primarily for your child's education:

1. Best option: One parent obtains a work KITAS (e.g., by establishing a small PT PMA), and the child becomes an E33E dependent. This gives both parent and child long-term residence.
2. Alternative: Parent obtains E311A (if 55+) or Second Home Visa independently, while the child has E31 from the school.
3. Short-term: Parent uses B211 social/cultural visa while the child attends school. This requires the parent to leave and re-enter every 180 days.

School Changes and E31 KITAS Impact

Changing Schools Within Indonesia

If a student transfers from one international school to another within Indonesia:

1. Old school cancels their sponsorship of the E31 KITAS
2. New school initiates a new sponsorship and KITAS application
3. There may be a gap period that needs careful management to avoid overstay

Best practice: Coordinate the school transfer with an immigration agent to ensure there is no lapse in KITAS validity.

Leaving School Before KITAS Expiry

If the student drops out or finishes early:

1. The school notifies immigration of the enrollment termination
2. The E31 KITAS may be cancelled or marked for non-renewal
3. The student has 30 days to either leave Indonesia or convert to another visa type

Costs for E31 Student KITAS

Note: Some international schools include immigration assistance in their enrollment fees, while others charge it separately.

Bali Zero Can Help with Student Visa Arrangements

Whether you are enrolling your child in an international school or coordinating family visa arrangements around education plans, Bali Zero provides comprehensive immigration support for families relocating to Indonesia.

Contact Bali Zero:

• Email: hello@balizero.com WhatsApp
• Website: balizero.com

Education is the best investment. Let us handle the paperwork.