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Indonesia does not use one internship visa for every type of placement. Depending on your program, you may need a C22, C22A, or C22B visa. The codes look similar, but each one is designed for a different internship purpose.
This is where many applicants make a mistake. A university placement may not use the same visa as training inside an Indonesian company. Choosing the wrong category can lead to extra document requests, delays, or a rejected application.
This guide explains how the three internship visas differ, who needs each one, and what you should prepare before your sponsor submits the application.
The Indonesia internship visa is a single-entry visa. It allows a foreign national to come to Indonesia to join an internship program, learn new things, and gain experience without being treated as a regular job. The main categories all fall under one family, C22, with two close cousins, C22A and C22B. They are all for internship stays, but serve slightly different people.
Think of "single-entry" the way you'd think of a one-time ticket. You use it once. If you leave the country during your stay, your visa will be used up, and you'll have to apply again to return.
If you only have a minute, here's the short checklist of internship visa requirements:
Valid passport
3-month bank statement or proof of living expenses
Recent color photograph (within the last year)
Proof of guarantee from your sponsor
Internship contract or host institution letter
Sponsor or guarantor based in Indonesia
Correct visa type for your purpose
Tick all seven, and you're most of the way there. Now let's slow down and unpack the parts that trip people up.
This is where folks get confused, so let me keep it plain. The right choice depends on why you're interning and who is hosting you.
The C22 Internship visa is the general umbrella. It covers internships at educational bodies, an Indonesian company, or another approved place. When people say "the internship visa," they usually mean this visa.
The C22A Academic Internship Visa is designed for the student-internship crowd. If you're still enrolled and your overseas education program demands an internship to satisfy an academic requirement, this is your lane. The visa proves you're here to finish a school obligation, not to chase a paycheck.
C22B Company Internship Visa is for internship or competency development at a company, office, or workplace. It can apply to students, graduates, or trainees, depending on the program's purpose. Think skill development and talent development through a company internship, where you sharpen practical abilities on the job.
Visa Type | Best For | Main Purpose | Sponsor Needed | Stay Period |
C22 | General interns | Any approved internship | Yes | 60 or 180 days |
C22A | Current students | Academic internship for school credit | Yes | 60 or 180 days |
C22B | Workplace interns and trainees | Company internship and competency growth | Yes | 60 or 180 days |
Quick way to decide: still in school chasing credit? Lean C22A. Joining a company, office, or workplace to build practical skills? Lean C22B, whether you're a student, graduate, or trainee. Either way, a sponsor is non-negotiable.
Wondering who should apply? This visa welcomes a wide mix of people:
If you can see yourself in that list, you're a candidate. The common thread is simple: a genuine host and complete documents are essential. Depending on your nationality and travel document, extra requirements may also apply.
There are two document checklists to think about: one for you, the applicant, and one for your sponsor. Both need to be ready before the visa application process can move.
Here's your applicant document checklist, explained:
Passport, your main travel ID
3-month bank statement in the name of the applicant or sponsor, showing enough funds for the stay
Recent color photo taken within the last year, meeting the format rules
Your address in Indonesia, if requested
Internship contract or statement letter from your host institution
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Company or institution papers
Proof of guarantee, filed through the eVisa system
The list may change over time, so confirm the current requirements before applying
A note on your passport validity: a national passport should be valid for at least 6 months. If you're traveling on a non-national document, such as an emergency passport, the rule is stricter: it must remain valid for 12 months. Holders of emergency passports, temporary passports, or certificates of identity may also need a re-entry permit for the country in which they apply, as well as a return or onward ticket.
Your sponsor, the company or institution hosting you, handles the sponsor document checklist. They submit their own company documents and proof of the guarantee through Indonesia's online system. Because the exact list changes over time, the safest move is to ask your sponsor to confirm the current requirements right before you apply.
Here's a detail many guides gloss over. You can't just have a sponsor in name. That sponsor must open and use an eVisa account (often called a sponsor account) before your application is submitted. The whole request flows through them.
In plain terms, the sponsor is your guarantor. They vouch for you to Indonesian immigration and promise to take responsibility if anything goes sideways during your stay. No active sponsor account means no application, full stop. So before you stress over your own files, confirm your host has their side ready.

You'll choose between two stay lengths:
A few rules shape how this works. Your stay permit clock starts on your arrival date, not the day the visa is issued. And visa validity is a separate thing from your stay period, so don't mix them up. The visa itself must be used to enter Indonesia within 90 days from the issue date. Miss that window, and the visa goes to waste.
Good news, and a small asterisk. According to the official immigration source, the stay permit can be extended. Here's how it generally goes:
You may have seen conflicting claims online, with some pages insisting the 180-day version can't be extended at all. That confusion is exactly why you check the official immigration source rather than a random forum. The headline to remember: extension is possible, capped at a one-year total stay.

Short, important answer: no. This is the rule people break by accident, so read it twice.
On an internship visa, you cannot receive wages, a salary, rewards, or similar payments. The list of prohibited activities also bans you from selling goods or services or working in a normal employment relationship. So, can interns receive a salary? No. Is there such a thing as a paid internship in Indonesia on this visa? Not legally, since these are treated as an unpaid internship.
If a placement promises cash for your labor, that's a red flag. Some hosts may offer accommodation, meals, or other support. However, do not assume that every non-cash benefit is allowed. A benefit could be treated as compensation depending on the arrangement, so the sponsor should confirm what's permitted before the internship begins.
Here's a useful detail many guides miss. C22, C22A, and C22B visit stay permits (ITK) may be converted to an ITAS Limited Stay Permit with the same sponsor. That said, a conversion to ITAS does not automatically authorize paid work. Paid employment requires an immigration status that permits work, plus any labor approvals the role requires. The internship visa cannot be used as a substitute. Think of conversion as a way to stay longer under the same host, not a shortcut into a salaried job.
A quick word on the labels you'll see: ITK is the Visit Stay Permit your C22 gives you, ITAS is the Limited Stay Permit, and KITAS is the common name linked to that temporary-stay status. They are not interchangeable.
Another common question: Can a tourist visa be used for an internship? It can't. A tourist visa exists for tourism activities and visiting friends or family, not for interning. If your main reason for coming is an internship, use the proper C22 category.
That said, the internship visa is flexible about your free time. You're allowed to enjoy tourism activities and visit friends or family while you're here, as long as the internship stays the central purpose of your trip.
Ready to file? Here's the visa application process, step by step.
Step 1: Confirm the correct visa type. Decide between C22, C22A, or C22B using the table above. Getting this right first saves headaches later.
Step 2: Prepare your applicant documents. Gather your passport, color photograph, bank statement, and internship letter.
Step 3: Prepare the sponsor. Make sure your host has access to the eVisa system through their sponsor account.
Step 4: Submit the application. The application must be submitted through a registered sponsor account on Indonesia's official eVisa portal. Your host can manage this process directly.
If you prefer help with the paperwork, Visa Indonesia can coordinate the sponsor, check your documents, and manage the application process for you. You will know what to prepare and receive updates as your application moves forward.
Start Your Internship Visa Application
Step 5: Wait for approval. Processing begins after the fee is paid. Official Immigration lists a standard processing time of five working days after payment is received. Incomplete documents or further review may cause delays, so apply before your planned travel date.
Step 6: Enter Indonesia before the visa validity ends. Remember, you must use the visa within 90 days of issue.
One more note on timing. The sponsor submits the application online. If you're already in Indonesia under another visa or stay permit, confirm whether you need to leave and re-enter to activate the C22 visa. Either way, knowing when to apply before arrival, usually a few weeks early, keeps you from cutting it close.
Most slowdowns come from small, fixable mistakes. Here are the common causes of delays or rejection:
Run through that list before submitting and you'll skip the most frequent snags.
Let's talk money. The official government immigration fee, the PNBP or non-tax state revenue, depends on your stay length.
Visa Stay Period | Official Fee | Notes |
60 days | IDR 3,000,000 | Government fee only |
180 days | IDR 4,000,000 | Government fee only |
These are government charges only. They do not include professional assistance, sponsorship arrangements, document review, application preparation, payment support, or help if Immigration requests more information.
Applying through a visa service costs more than the government fee because the service team checks your documents, coordinates the application with the sponsor, submits the application, and supports you until the visa is issued.
You can check the full price of the Indonesia internship visa before starting your application.
The official government fee covers the visa application itself. Our service also helps with:
This reduces the chance that a missing document, incorrect visa type, or application error delays your internship.
I know whether I need C22, C22A, or C22B
My passport is valid for 6 months, or 12 months for an emergency passport
My sponsor is ready with their eVisa account
My internship contract is signed
My bank statement is complete
I understand that paid work is not allowed
I know the date I need to enter Indonesia
What visa do I need for an internship in Indonesia? A C22, C22A, or C22B. Pick the one that matches your situation and host.
What is the difference between C22A and C22B? C22A suits current students who meet an academic requirement through their overseas education. C22B covers internship or competency development at a company, office, or workplace and can apply to students, graduates, or trainees.
Can I get paid during my internship? No. No salary, wages, or rewards are allowed on this visa.
How long is the internship visa valid? You enter within 90 days of issue, then stay 60 or 180 days from your arrival date.
Can I extend it? Yes, through your sponsor. Each extension can be up to 180 days, with a 12-month total stay cap. Confirm current rules first.
Do I need a sponsor? Always. The sponsor applies on your behalf through their eVisa account.
Can I apply while already in Indonesia? The sponsor submits the application online. If you're already in the country under another visa or stay permit, confirm whether you need to leave and re-enter to activate the C22 visa.
Can I convert to a longer stay or work permit? C22, C22A, and C22B visit stay permits may be converted to an ITAS with the same sponsor. However, conversion does not automatically authorize paid employment, which may require a different purpose of stay and separate labor approvals.
What if I leave before the visa expires? It's single-entry, so leaving ends it. To come back, you'd apply for a new one.
How early should I apply? A few weeks before your start date is a safe habit, leaving room for processing.
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