The School Admission Process in Indonesia for Expats: What You Need to Know

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Moving to Indonesia with kids? 

One of the first questions many expats ask is: How do I get my child admitted to a school here? 

The process is fairly straightforward if you know what to prepare, but it has specific requirements you’ll want to understand. 

Here’s what to expect, what documents you’ll need, and tips to make it smoother.

Types of Schools Available to Expats

Understanding the kinds of schools helps you choose what’s best for your child:

SPK Schools (Satuan Pendidikan Kerjasama) 

This is the official status that legally replaced the term “International School” in Indonesia starting in 2014.

• An educational unit operated through a cooperation agreement between an Indonesian Education Institution and an Accredited Foreign Education Institution (LPA).
• SPK schools offer globally recognized foreign curricula (such as IB, Cambridge, AP, etc.).
• Although they use foreign curricula, SPK schools are under the regulation of Indonesian authorities. They are mandated to teach national subjects (Pancasila and Civics, Indonesian Language, and Religion) to Indonesian students. Expat students are also generally required to study Indonesian Language and Culture.
• This is the most common choice for expatriates as the language of instruction is usually English and the curriculum is internationally recognized for university entrance worldwide.

Read more:

Expat Guide to Choosing Schools in Indonesia | Curriculum, Costs & Tips

Foreign / Embassy Schools 

These schools maintain a special status and are distinct from SPK schools.

• Schools established by diplomatic representatives or foreign institutions that fully follow the curriculum of their home country (e.g., German School, Japanese School, etc.).
• Enrollment is prioritized for children of foreign nationals from that specific country (e.g., children of embassy staff, diplomats, or expats from the corresponding nation).
• They use the home country’s curriculum entirely, and the language of instruction is the home country’s native tongue.
• Both SPK and Embassy Schools tend to have significantly higher tuition fees than National Schools.

National Schools 

These schools fully adhere to the Indonesian education system.

• Schools that use the National Curriculum set by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture.
• The main language of instruction is Bahasa Indonesia.
• This is less common for expats who require English instruction or an internationally recognized curriculum. However, it can be a viable option for expat families planning a long-term stay who want their children to be fully integrated into the local culture and language.

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Key Steps in the Admission Process

Here’s a typical admission flow. Schools may vary, but most include these steps.

Initial Inquiry & Visit

Contact the admissions office, arrange a tour or virtual meeting. Ask about curriculum, tuition fees, class size.

Application & Submission of Documents

Fill out forms, submit required documents. For expats, extra documents are needed (passport, KITAS, etc.). See details below.

Placement / Testing / Interview

Many schools require academic records (report cards), possibly English tests or interviews, sometimes subject tests. If coming from overseas, you may need equivalency letters.

Approval & Fees

Once accepted, pay registration, admission, tuition or deposit fees. Schools often issue billing or virtual account. Acceptance often conditional on payment and final document verification.

Orientation & Preparing to Start

Identify uniform, books, school calendar. Understand arrival dates, perhaps orientation programs.

Documents & Requirements: What Expats Should Prepare

Here is a checklist of documents expat students commonly need; note that specific schools may demand more or variations.

Passport (Child + Parents)

Proof of identity, nationality. Expats need valid passports. E.g. Asian Intercultural School Bali requires passport and limited stay permit for foreigners

KITAS / Limited Stay Permit

Proves legal residence status. Many schools require this to process enrollment.

Birth Certificate

Standard identity document. Many schools need a copy.

Previous Academic Records / Report Cards

To assess grade placement. If coming from abroad, may require translated/legalized reports or equivalency from the Ministry of Education (Kemendikbud).

Transfer Letter / Certificate of Previous School

Especially for mid-grade transfers. Legalization may be required.

Equivalency or Notification Letter from Indonesian Ministry of Education & Culture

To recognize overseas school diplomas or curriculum; helps align placement.

Health / Vaccination Certificates

Some schools want proof of immunization or general health to ensure safety of all students.

Photos, Passport-size

Identification & administrative processing.

Parents’ Identification (passport, sometimes KITAS)

To verify guardianship and residency.

Agreement / Consent Forms

Such as fee payment agreements, school rules. Common requirement.

Read more:

Cost of International Schools in Indonesia: Guide for Expats

Legal / Regulatory Considerations

When admitting expat students, there are several regulatory points and recent developments to be aware of:

• International / foreign schools must comply with Indonesian laws. For example, Regulation 31 (2014) requires schools with foreign curricula to have “cooperation” status (SPK) unless certain conditions apply.
• Equivalency and approval from the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) are often required especially when documents come from overseas or when students transfer into the Indonesian system.

Tips for Expats: Make It Smoother

• Start early. Admissions often open months ahead; international schools might start applications almost a year in advance.
• Clarify grade placement: curricula differ (e.g. US, British, IB), some schools may place based on age, academic background, and testing.
• Be mindful of costs: registration fees, deposits, tuition, plus extras like uniforms, books, extracurriculars. Some schools use virtual bank accounts for payments.
• Ensure translations & legalization when necessary. If documents (transcripts, diplomas) are in a different language, get official translations. If legal stamp is needed (e.g. “Rp 6.000–duty stamp”) some schools ask for signed forms with that.
• Keep copies of all documents, including passports and visa/KITAS. Some schools ask to see originals as part of verification.

What to Expect Costs and Timing

Cost 

Schools serving expat or international curricula can be significantly more expensive than national schools. Registration & deposit fees can be substantial. 

Annual tuition varies widely depending on location, curriculum, facilities. 

(For instance, Surabaya school fee examples range from tens to over a hundred million rupiah/year for older grades).

Timing

The school year in many international and private schools often starts in July, though schools may also accept students mid-year (rolling admissions) depending on space.

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Getting your child into a school in Indonesia as an expat involves a mix of paperwork, regulatory compliance, and choosing the right type of school for your family’s priorities (language, curriculum, cost, location). 

The keys are preparation, knowing what documents you need, and being aware of local regulations.

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