Getting your study-abroad papers ready in Indonesia

In short: 4 offices in Indonesia verify, attest or issue the papers a student visa asks for. For each: what it does, the official portal, the steps, the fee as its official page prints it and its offices, read on 16 October 2026.

Ministry of Law - Directorate General of General Legal Administration (Ditjen AHU), Apostille service

Issues the apostille for Indonesian public documents: diplomas (ijazah) and transcripts, birth certificates, police certificates (SKCK) and others. Indonesia is in the Hague Apostille Convention (in force since 4 June 2022), so for member countries no embassy legalisation is needed after the apostille.

Online · Official portal

Steps

  1. Make sure your document is signed by an Indonesian official whose signature is on record (for example the university's legalised copy, Dukcapil electronic document, or SKCK).
  2. Create an account and log in on the AHU apostille service.
  3. Choose the document type and destination country, fill in the details (document number, owner, signing official) and upload a scan.
  4. Wait for verification (regular: up to 3 working days; fast-track: same day), then pay the fee (PNBP).
  5. Get the apostille certificate; it can be printed at a regional Ministry of Law office (Kanwil) if you need paper.
  6. Anyone can check an apostille online on the AHU verification page.

Fee, as the official page prints it: 200,000 IDR (regular service, maximum 3 working days verification process); 500,000 IDR (fast-track service, same-day verification process; terms and condition applied) (official source, checked 16 October 2026)

Offices

Sources: www.hcch.net/en/states/authorities/details3/?aid=1167, www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41, portal.ahu.go.id/id/detail/20-publication/3053-luncurkan-lay, checked 16 October 2026.

Indonesian National Police (Polri) - Police Record Certificate (SKCK)

Issues the SKCK (police certificate). You register in the POLRI Super App and then collect the printed SKCK at the police office you choose.

Online · Official portal

Steps

  1. Download POLRI Super App from Play Store or App Store and register.
  2. Choose the SKCK menu, fill in the purpose (say it is for use abroad) and upload the required documents.
  3. Print or save the online registration proof sent to your email.
  4. Go to the police office you selected with your ID card (KTP) and the proof, and collect the printed SKCK.
  5. If the visa or apostille needs it, apostille the SKCK at Ditjen AHU.

Appointment: You pick the police office in the app; no separate appointment confirmed.

Sources: humas.polri.go.id/news/detail/2143089-bikin-skck-kini-gak-ri, checked 16 October 2026.

Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil), Ministry of Home Affairs

Issues birth certificates (akta kelahiran) and family cards (Kartu Keluarga). Digital documents with an electronic signature (TTE) and QR code count as originals, can be printed on plain paper, and do not need legalisation. Birth certificates can be apostilled at Ditjen AHU.

Online · Official portal

Steps

  1. Get your birth certificate (and family card if asked) from your local Dukcapil office or the IKD (digital ID) app; electronic versions come as a PDF with a QR code.
  2. Keep the PDF and print it on plain paper when needed; it does not need legalisation.
  3. If the destination country wants an apostille, apply for it at Ditjen AHU.

Sources: dukcapil.kemendagri.go.id/blog/read/dukcapil-dukung-penuh-la, checked 16 October 2026.

Sworn translators (penerjemah tersumpah) appointed by the Ministry of Law

Makes official (sworn) translations of your papers. Sworn translators are appointed and sworn in by the Ministry of Law (Ditjen AHU) under Permenkum No. 4 of 2025.

In person · Official portal

Steps

  1. Check with the university or embassy whether it wants a translation by an Indonesian sworn translator or by its own country's translator.
  2. Choose a sworn translator appointed by the Ministry of Law and ask to see their appointment details.
  3. Give them your documents (apostilled first if the destination asks for that order); they sign and stamp the translation.
  4. Keep the original and the translation together.

Sources: portal.ahu.go.id/id/detail/75-berita-lainnya/5762-perkuat-le, checked 16 October 2026.

Where to apply for a student visa from Indonesia

United Kingdom

VFS Global (UK Visas and Immigration's visa application centre provider in Indonesia) · Official booking

  1. Apply for the Student visa online on GOV.UK (earliest 6 months before your course) and pay the fee and health surcharge.
  2. After applying, book an appointment at a VFS visa application centre to prove your identity.
  3. Go to the appointment with your passport and documents.
  4. A decision usually comes within 3 weeks.

United Kingdom student visa document checklist

United States

U.S. Embassy Jakarta and U.S. Consulate General Surabaya (interviews); bookings through ustraveldocs (CGI Group) · Official booking

  1. Get your I-20 from the U.S. school and pay the SEVIS fee.
  2. Fill in the DS-160 form at least two business days before the interview and keep the barcode (starts with AA).
  3. Book your interview on ustraveldocs.com/id/en using the same DS-160 barcode.
  4. Go to the interview with your passport and DS-160 confirmation; only applicants with appointments are let in.

United States student visa document checklist

Canada

VFS Global (Canada visa application centres) · Official booking

  1. Apply for the study permit online with IRCC.
  2. Wait for the biometrics instruction letter from IRCC.
  3. Book an appointment at the VFS centre in Jakarta or Bali and give fingerprints and photo.
  4. Send your passport only when IRCC asks for it.

Canada student visa document checklist

Germany

German Embassy Jakarta visa section (national visas are only filed in Jakarta, not at honorary consulates). Students with an unconditional Bachelor/Master admission apply at VFS Global Jakarta; others apply at the Embassy. · Official booking

  1. Check which group you are in: unconditional admission letter (VFS route) or conditional admission / language or preparatory course / admission test (Embassy route).
  2. Register on the Embassy's appointment waitlist and pick the right category.
  3. Prepare everything on the checklist: admission letter, proof of money (blocked account or scholarship), proof of qualifications, language certificate.
  4. Unconditional admission: go in person to VFS Global Jakarta when invited. Others: follow the Embassy's national visa checklist and appointment.
  5. Wait about 8 weeks (can be longer); track at VFS if you applied there.

Germany student visa document checklist

Related

ForiForeign prepares and guides; the offices and the visa authorities decide. Fees and timings change: open the official source before you go.

ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.

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