Why Bangladeshi Students Choose Indonesia
As the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia offers a genuine alternative to Egypt or Saudi Arabia for Islamic Studies — most notably at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta — alongside strong, affordable general programs at Indonesia's top national universities.
বিশ্বের বৃহত্তম মুসলিম-সংখ্যাগরিষ্ঠ দেশ হিসেবে, ইন্দোনেশিয়া ইসলামিক স্টাডিজের জন্য মিশর বা সৌদি আরবের একটি বিকল্প।
TELEX approval required first: the student visa (VITAS) process cannot start until your Indonesian institution secures a TELEX approval letter from the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta on your behalf.
প্রথমে TELEX অনুমোদন প্রয়োজন: আপনার প্রতিষ্ঠান জাকার্তার ইমিগ্রেশন থেকে TELEX অনুমোদন না নেওয়া পর্যন্ত ভিসা প্রক্রিয়া শুরু হয় না।
Universities & Popular Programs
UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta
Indonesia's leading State Islamic University, offering Islamic Studies, Sharia, and Arabic Language programs alongside general faculties.
Universitas Indonesia (Depok/Jakarta)
Indonesia's top-ranked national university, strong across Medicine, Engineering, Law, and Social Sciences.
Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB)
Indonesia's premier technical institute, especially well-regarded for Engineering and Architecture.
Universitas Gadjah Mada (Yogyakarta)
One of Indonesia's oldest and most respected universities, strong in Agriculture, Medicine, and Social Sciences.
Popular Fields
জনপ্রিয় বিষয়সমূহ: Islamic Studies & Sharia, Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Social Sciences.
Tuition & Living Costs
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Islamic Studies/general Bachelor's tuition per year | $500 - $1,500 |
| Engineering/Medicine tuition per year | $1,500 - $3,000 |
| Living costs per month | $200 - $350 |
Jakarta carries the highest living costs; Yogyakarta and Bandung, both major student cities, are noticeably cheaper.
জাকার্তায় খরচ সবচেয়ে বেশি; ইয়োগ্যাকার্তা ও বান্দুংয়ে কম।
Scholarships & Funding
Indonesian Government (KNB/BIB) Scholarships — the "Kemitraan Negara Berkembang" (KNB) and Indonesian Government Scholarship (BIB) programs occasionally offer fully-funded places to students from developing countries including Bangladesh; check the Indonesian Ministry of Education's scholarship portal for current cycles.
UIN Jakarta and other State Islamic University scholarships — some Islamic studies scholarships are available specifically for international students pursuing Sharia or Islamic Studies degrees; check directly with the university's international office.
Visa & Work Rights — Full Step-by-Step Guide
Required Documents
- Valid passport with at least 18 months of validity.
- A TELEX approval letter from the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta.
- Letter of acceptance from the Indonesian educational institution.
- Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of study.
- Academic transcripts and certificates.
- A personal statement or curriculum vitae (CV).
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Secure admission and receive your letter of acceptance from an Indonesian institution.
- Your institution applies for a TELEX approval on your behalf with the Directorate General of Immigration in Jakarta — this is the essential first step and cannot be skipped.
- Once the TELEX is issued, proceed with the visa application (VITAS, Index C316) at the Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka.
- Submit your passport, the TELEX approval, academic transcripts, and other required documents to the Embassy.
- Pay the visa fee (approximately $150) at the Embassy when you submit your passport.
- Collect your passport with the visa sticker affixed, then travel to Indonesia ahead of your intake.
- Convert your VITAS to a KITAS (residence permit) after arrival, as instructed by your institution.
Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student VITAS (Index C316) | ~$150 |
Embassy in Bangladesh
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Dhaka
Road No. 53, Plot No. 14, Gulshan-2, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Application Tips
- Follow up proactively with your institution on the TELEX approval — it is entirely their responsibility to initiate, and delays here delay everything else.
- Ensure your passport has at least 18 months' validity, as this is stricter than many other countries' requirements.
- Budget time after arrival to convert your entry VITAS into a KITAS residence permit — this is a mandatory follow-up step, not optional.
Work Rights
Student visa (KITAS) holders in Indonesia generally do not have automatic work rights — any employment requires a separate work permit (IMTA) sponsored by an employer, so plan to rely on savings, remittances, or scholarships during your studies.
ইন্দোনেশিয়ায় স্টুডেন্ট ভিসাধারীদের স্বয়ংক্রিয় কাজের অধিকার নেই — আলাদা ওয়ার্ক পারমিট প্রয়োজন।
Language Requirements
| Program | IELTS (typical) | PTE Academic (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| English-taught international programs | 5.5 - 6.0 | 42 - 50 |
| Islamic Studies (Arabic-medium tracks) | Arabic proficiency assessed at admission | — |
Indonesian-medium programs (the majority at public universities) typically require a Bahasa Indonesia foundation year for international students without prior language study.
Application Timeline (August/September Intake)
Application & Acceptance
Apply to your chosen university and receive your letter of acceptance.
TELEX Approval
Your institution applies for and receives TELEX approval from Jakarta immigration.
Embassy Submission
Submit your VITAS application at the Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka.
Arrival & KITAS Conversion
Arrive, then convert your VITAS to a KITAS residence permit.
FAQ
Is Indonesia a good Islamic Studies alternative to Egypt/Saudi Arabia? Yes — UIN Jakarta and similar State Islamic Universities offer respected Sharia and Islamic Studies degrees, often at a lower cost than Middle Eastern options.
What is a TELEX and why does it matter? It's the immigration approval that must be secured by your Indonesian institution before you can even apply for your visa — without it, no application can proceed.
Can I work part-time during my studies? Not automatically — a separate employer-sponsored work permit (IMTA) is required for any employment.