While ACICIS aims to keep the information on our website as accurate and up-to-date as possible, any advice is provided as a guide only and should not be relied upon when formulating travel and study plans. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, rules and regulations pertaining to study in Indonesia (e.g. visa and entry requirements) have changed significantly and regularly at short notice.
ACICIS anticipates that relevant rules and regulations will continue to change at multiple junctures prior to the commencement of coming program intakes. Participants should not make any travel arrangements prior to receiving further advice in their formal Acceptance Letter from ACICIS.
Following the cancellation of all in-country programs between March 2020 and June 2022, ACICIS has now resumed in-country delivery of the vast majority of our semester-long and short-term study options.
Please find some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to COVID-19 and ACICIS’ return to delivery of in-country study options outlined below. Prospective participants and member universities are also very welcome to contact the ACICIS Secretariat should they require further advice or assistance.
FAQs: COVID-19 and Return to In-Country Study
Q: It’s great that ACICIS programs are back in-country! Can I now book my flights?
A: No. Prospective participants should not make any travel arrangements prior to receiving further advice in their formal Acceptance Letter from ACICIS. There are a range of pre- and post-program travel and visa restrictions that you will need to be aware of prior to committing to the program. Up-to-date information will be provided in your Acceptance Letter.
Q: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, is it safe to study in Indonesia at present?
A: The Australian Government reduced their overall level of travel advice for Indonesia to Level 2: Exercise a High Degree of Caution in late 2021. This is the same level of advice as prior to the pandemic. All prospective participants are encouraged to consider government and other reputable sources of advice (e.g. your doctor) in making a decision as to whether to proceed with studying abroad at this time.
Prospective participants who are at greater risk of serious illness as a result of COVID-19 (e.g. over 70s, individuals with pre-existing health conditions) need to carefully consider the COVID-19 risk and consult with their doctor prior to committing to study in Indonesia.
All participants are required to submit a statement of good health signed by a general practitioner as part of the Indonesian visa application process.
More information on health concerns in Indonesia, including COVID-19 is available on this webpage.
Q: Will I need to take a COVID-19 test prior to my departure for Indonesia? Will I need to quarantine upon my arrival? How long for? How much will this cost?
At the time of writing, no pre-departure COVID-19 testing or quarantine on arrival is required for fully vaccinated travellers to Indonesia. Individuals who display COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival may, however, be directed to take a PCR test (at their own expense) and quarantine for up to 10 days if the result is positive.
Please visit this webpage (semester-long programs) or this webpage (short term programs) for more information regarding visa and travel arrangements (including entry and quarantine requirements).
Q: What if I need to withdraw from the program due to contracting COVID-19 immediately before my departure? Can I get a refund?
A: Upon committing to the program, we recommend that participants immediately arrange travel insurance with coverage for cancellation or travel delay costs, including forfeited overseas course fees. Several travel insurance providers now offer COVID-19 coverage, including for losses incurred as a result of the policy holder contracting COVID-19. ACICIS is generally unable to waive withdrawal penalties in this circumstance.
Q: What will happen if I test positive for COVID-19 while on the ACICIS program? Will I be required to self-isolate? Who will cover the cost of this? What about the program content I miss? Can I get a refund if I am unable to complete the program?
A: Under Indonesian government regulations at the time of writing, all participants who test positive for COVID-19 while in Indonesia must self-isolate for a maximum of 10 days. After five days of self-isolation, individuals may leave isolation early if they return a negative PCR test.
ACICIS staff will provide support to any participants who need to self-isolate due to testing positive for COVID-19 (e.g. locating an appropriate premises, participating in program content virtually where available, accessing essential supplies, accessing PCR tests after day five). Please note, however, that all isolation-related expenses are the responsibility of individual participants. Several travel insurance providers now offer coverage for isolation expenses in cases where an individual tests positive for COVID-19 and is required to isolate under prevailing government regulations.
ACICIS will generally be unable to refund program fees where participants miss content due to testing positive for COVID-19 while in Indonesia. Once again, many travel insurers now offer COVID-19 coverage, including for forfeited tour/program fees in cases where a participant is unable to complete an overseas experience due to contracting COVID-19.
Q: Do I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate in an ACICIS in-country program?
A: Yes. All participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (at least two doses and a booster/three doses). This is a non-negotiable requirement set by the Indonesian government. Participants who do not fulfil this requirement will likely have their visa application rejected and/or be denied boarding or entry into Indonesia.
Q: I have received two primary doses of a COVID-19 vaccine recognised by the Indonesian government. Do I really need to have a booster (third) dose? I read that only two doses are required in order to be permitted entry into Indonesia?
A: Yes, all participants must receive a booster (third) dose of a COVID-19 vaccine recognised by the Indonesian government (e.g. Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax or AstraZeneca) prior to their arrival in Indonesia.
At the time of writing, foreigners are permitted to enter Indonesia as long as they had received two doses of a recognised COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival. Restrictions imposed on mobility within Indonesia do, however, make it impracticable for individuals who have not received a booster (third) dose of a recognised COVID-19 vaccine to participate in an ACICIS program.
For example, individuals who have only received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are not currently permitted to travel domestically within Indonesia under government regulations. Moreover, several of ACICIS’ partner universities and host organisations require all their students and/or employees to have received at least three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. These mandates also apply to all foreign students and interns, including ACICIS participants.
Q: I have a medical or other official exemption to vaccination. Can I participate in an in-country ACICIS program?
A: ACICIS does not recommend that those exempt from vaccination against COVID-19 for medical or other reasons participate in our in-country programs at present.
Current Australian Government advice states that all individuals not vaccinated against COVID-19, regardless of reason, should reconsider their need to travel abroad. Exemptions may not be recognised by Indonesian authorities, and unvaccinated travellers, even if granted a visa and allowed entry into Indonesia, are at greater risk of contracting, and experiencing severe illness or death as a result of COVID-19. This risk is exacerbated in a developing country context.
If you possess a medical or other exemption to vaccination, please contact the ACICIS Secretariat to discuss your unique circumstances. Verifiable documentary evidence of the exemption, issued by a government authority, will be required prior to processing your query.
Q: I’m interested in taking a virtual ACICIS program. Are these still available?
A: ACICIS’ virtual programs, alongside the New Colombo Plan’s virtual pivot, were designed as a temporary response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions. As in-person student mobility between Australia and Indonesia is once again possible, all of ACICIS’ regular study options are now exclusively available in-country.
Q: My question isn’t answered above. Where can I direct my query?
A: Please don’t hesitate to contact the ACICIS Secretariat. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.