UINSA is the oldest Islamic university established on 1961 and the home of more than 16.000 students. Currently, it has 13 faculties, more than 50 undergraduate programs, and 14 postgraduate programs (10 Master and 4 Doctoral Degree). in the beginning, the main concentration of UINSA programs is in Islamic studies. As there are a lot of demands to also establish non-Islamic studies, UINSA also offers non-Islamic study programs. At present, there are more than 15 non-Islamic study programs offered, such as finance, English literature, technology information, architect, and public health. The inclusion of this general education even brings a new colour to UINSA and it is implemented in the university’s vision aiming to become a competitive Islamic university globally which emphasizes on balanced Islamic studies with science education. This concept is depicted in Twin Towers as the symbol of the integration of Islamic values with science education.

The main campus of UINSA is in Jalan Ahmad Yani. In the next couple years, however, there will be two campuses of UINSA: Ahmad Yani and Gunung Anyar. At the moment, Gunung Anyar campus is still under construction. When the campus is ready, Ahmad Yani campus will concentrate on Islamic studies, social sciences, and office building; while Gunung Anyar campus will be for science education.

The campus offers a warm and dynamic educational atmosphere can be directly sensed when you enter the campus. The diversity of UINSA campus nurtures individuals to develop and expand their capacity and capability. As a member of this humanism community, student’s unique qualities are valued in the classroom discussions, student activities, study group, and teamwork negotiations.

Life in UINSA’s campus is full of opportunity. There is so much going on entertainment, culture, sports, and family events inside and outside campus. Students and faculty-staff members will get to know each other combining friendly and charming society. It makes UINSA’s campus as the best place to enrich knowledge and scientific production.

For International students, they can find advice on a range of issues that relate to living in Indonesia. We, International office – UINSA, also support students who may be looking to engage in more extra-curricular activities, and can give you information on various opportunities including study Javanese language, culture, and traditional music and dances.

Vitas and Kitas

• Study permit

Since your purpose to come to Indonesia is for studying, your VITAS (limited stay visa) application will require a study permit from the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Indonesia in order to issue visa authorization from the Immigration Office in Indonesia. It takes quite a long time to process, often up to two or three months. It is our responsibility as your host institution in Indonesia to help you get the study permit in order to get your visa authorization of your entry to Indonesia. Please contact us to give you assistance in this matter at io@uinsby.ac.id. We will be happy to forward all the information and the procedures to you.

An international student who wishes to study at UINSA is strongly recommended to come to Indonesia with a VITAS, which can then be converted to a KITAS (Limited Stay Permit) upon your arrival to Indonesia. With the visa authorization faxed to your address, you can apply for a VITAS at the Embassy/Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia in your country.

• First thing to do upon your arrival

Those who come to Indonesia with a VITAS (6/12/24 month’s visa) should be aware of the ‘arrival stamp’ on your passport and white landing card (departure card). Important! The process of getting your KITAS in Indonesia can take up to four weeks. During this time YOU WILL NOT HAVE YOUR PASSPORT and of course you will temporarily not be able to go abroad, open a bank account, or obtain a local driving license. Please remember to have a copy of your passport with you at all times.

Once you have your KITAS and ‘Buku Mutasi’ (a little blue book used to register changes of sponsor/location of the associated office of immigration), it is your responsibility to keep them in a very safe place along with your passport. If you are going to another city/town, please always bring your KITAS with you.

Remember, KITAS and ‘Buku Mutasi’ are very important. If they get lost or stolen you should report immediately to the nearby Police station. If it is lost in Surabya for example, you must report the loss to the nearest Police station in Surabaya and get a Surat Keterangan Kehilangan Barang (SKKB) or lost report.

This SKKB must be brought with you when you come to the Immigration Office in Surabaya to get a replacement card. In this case, you will also need a letter from International Office as your sponsor. So please report your loss also to the International Office to get the letter, they may be able to help you with this matter.

Important: As a student and or researcher in Indonesia with the limited stay visa, your visa requires you to give legally binding commitments as follows:

1. Being able to give evidence of adequate financial support;
2. Abide by all Indonesian laws and university regulations;
3. No use of illegal drugs;
4. No paid work in Indonesia;
5. It is prohibited for you to participate in political activities, protest, and public demonstrations
6. Please give notification of any change of address.

Those who wish to stay in Indonesia for less than 4 months may obtain a Social and Cultural Visa (VKSB) and must also come to the Office of International Affairs to report your arrival and be registered by our office. Our staff will then explain how to extend your Social and Cultural Visa.

• During your stay

The following procedures apply to students who hold a VITAS (Limited Stay Visa), which is valid for at least 6 months.

1. Extension 
2. Index B-211 Visa (VKSB)

The extension for Index B-211 Visa (VKSB) can be done up to 4 times within the same local immigration office. The first three extensions will be granted by the local Immigration Office governing your place of residence, and the fourth extension will require an approval from Kantor Wilayah Hukum dan HAM (Regional Office of Laws and Human Rights). After getting the approval, the local Immigration Office will proceed with your visa extension.

The following is the documents you need to prepare for extending your Index B-211 Visa (VKSB)

1. A sponsor letter for visa extension application
2. Visa Extension form (immigration office form)
3. Update form (immigration office form)
4. Surat pernyataan dan jaminan (immigration office form)
5. A copy of the sponsor ID Card (KTP)
6. Passport and the copy of Passport
7. KITAS

You are highly recommended to start processing your KITAS extension 2 months before the expiry date. The following is the documents you need to prepare for extending your KITAS.

1. A sponsor letter for KITAS Extension Application
2. KITAS Extension form (immigration office form)
3. Update form (immigration office form)
4. A copy of the sponsor ID Card (KTP)
5. Passport and the copy of Passport
6. Immigration Report Book /Buku Biru (Buku POA)
7. KITAS and the copy of KITAS
8. Photograph 2×3, 3×4, 4X6, @ 3 sheets

UINSA campus is located in the main boulevard of the city, Ahmad Yani street, that offers great accommodations for all students in the community. We also provide assistance and advice for international student and visiting scholars to find suitable accommodation according to their requirements. There are various options for temporary and long-term accommodations available depending on your needs and budget.

Temporary accommodation

The following list of accommodation is best suited for guests/visitors who are staying for short-term. It provides you with a place to enjoy the city while you become familiar with the campus environment and gives you the opportunity to find the best place that suited your needs.

• GreenSA inn (UINSA hotel)

It is a hotel and training centre owned by UINSA, and ideal for relaxation. GreenSA is located in Jalan Raya Juanda, Sidoarjo, close to Juanda international airport around 10 minutes drive and central business district. The hotel offers many facilities to enrich your stay in Surabaya: free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, and plenty of parking space. For more information about the rooms, booking and facilities offered please visit the website at https://uinsa.ac.id/pusbis  

• Hotels

Long term accommodation

Before choosing your long term accommodation, you should consider the proximity, your requirements and budget.

• Student residence (on campus)

The student residence is available to students of the university, prioritising first-year students and those who are from outside Surabaya. The residence has a program that helps students learn more about Islamic studies or values. Several programs and events, such as monthly gathering, community outreach program, and Friday night, are regularly organised to get closer among the residents. The residence is designed for students who prefer to live on campus but wants to feel at home with the new friends, atmosphere, personal attention from supervisors, resident assistants.

The residence has about ….beds with the separate building for men and women. With this limited occupancy, we will be putting first-year students as our first priority. The rent is based on 1-year contract, and the cost per month is IDR…… (include electricity and water utility bill). The room is 4-persons sharing room with bunk beds, study desk and sharing bathroom. To check the available room in the residence, please contact us via email (residence email).

• Apartments

• Homestay/boarding house (Kos – in Indonesia)

There is a great range of boarding house/homestay (Kos) in the neighbourhood. We suggest you look around for yourself for the Kos before deciding to move in only based on the pictures shown on the Internet. Different Kos may offer different facilities/amenities, for example, several Kos include rooms with bed, desk and chair, air conditioner, wardrobe, and inside room bathroom. Other Kos may have shared bathroom with no air-conditioner and furniture. Also, another Kos may also include Wi-Fi Internet access, laundry service and drinking water.

Many Kos will normally have a live-in maid in the house that helps the owner to look after the house during the day and night and does a general cleaning in the house. Some Kos only allow boys/girls to live in and this typical Kos often have some restrictions for the tenants such as opposite gender not allowed to enter the room. The rent is the monthly basis and ranged from IDR 800.000 to IDR 2.000.000 (depending on the location and facilities)

UINSA International Office can provide assistance to Exchange Students and visiting scholars for finding housing/accommodation. Should you require our assistance, please complete the online survey below to help us with the arrangement (form for accommodation).

• More education: more opportunity
  • Institution expectation
  • Preparing a study plan
  • Finding financial support
  • Personal qualities
  • Preparing the application (writing the application, motivational statement, finding the reference)
• How to optimise your conversion rate
  • Institution expectation
  • Skill to make a planning that actually works
  • Public speaking & negotiation
  • Profiling (curriculum vitae)
  • Writing job application: tips & tricks
  • Personal growth (generate positive self-image)
  • Community empowerment
• Business start pack
  • Institution expectation
  • Key partners: Who will help you?
  • Key activities: How do you do it?
  • Key resources: What do you need?
  • value preposition: What do you do?
  • Customer relationship: How do you interact?
  • Distribution channel: How do you reach them?
  • Customer segment: Who do you help?
  • Cost structure: What will it cost?
  • Revenue stream: How much will you make?