Step-by-Step Kartu Prakerja Application Guide 2026

Understanding the Wave System

Kartu Prakerja operates on a wave-based selection system:

🌊 New waves open every 2-3 weeks 📊 200,000-500,000 slots per wave ⏱️ Registration open for 3-4 days only 🎯 Selection announced 1-2 weeks after closing

2026 Wave Schedule (Estimated)

Wave	Opens	Closes	Results	Slots
Wave 70	Feb 10	Feb 13	Feb 20-25	300,000
Wave 71	Feb 24	Feb 27	Mar 6-10	350,000
Wave 72	Mar 10	Mar 13	Mar 20-25	300,000
Wave 73	Mar 24	Mar 27	Apr 3-7	400,000
Wave 74	Apr 7	Apr 10	Apr 17-21	350,000
Wave 75	Apr 21	Apr 24	May 1-5	400,000

Note: Exact dates announced on @prakerja social media 3-5 days before each wave.

Before You Apply: Eligibility Check

Required Criteria

✅ Indonesian citizen (WNI) ✅ Age 18 or older ✅ NOT currently in formal education (university, college) ✅ Valid NIK (16-digit ID number from KTP) ✅ Active phone number (for OTP verification) ✅ Email address (for account creation) ✅ Have NOT received Prakerja before (lifetime one-time benefit)

Common Eligibility Questions

Q: Can employed workers apply? A: YES! You do NOT need to be unemployed.

Q: Can I apply if I'm in part-time education? A: No. Any formal education (full-time or part-time) disqualifies you.

Q: Can foreigners with Indonesian spouse apply? A: No. Must be WNI (Indonesian citizen by birth or naturalization).

Q: Can I apply if I received Prakerja in 2020? A: No. Prakerja is a one-time lifetime benefit.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Required Information

Before the wave opens, gather:

1. KTP/NIK Information

   • 16-digit NIK number
   • Full name (exactly as on KTP)
   • Date of birth
   • Address

2. Contact Details

   • Active phone number (will receive OTP codes)
   • Email address (for account login)
   • Confirm phone can receive SMS

3. Employment Status

   • Current work status (employed, self-employed, unemployed)
   • If employed: company name, position
   • If unemployed: how long unemployed

4. Education Level

   • Highest education completed
   • Year of graduation
   • Confirm NOT currently enrolled

Step 2: Create Prakerja Account

Timing: Do this BEFORE the wave opens to save time.

1. Go to www.prakerja.go.id
2. Click "Daftar" (Register)
3. Enter phone number
4. Receive and enter OTP code
5. Create password (minimum 8 characters)
6. Enter email address
7. Verify email via link
8. Account created!

Pro tip: Use phone number you'll have long-term. Changing it later is difficult.

Step 3: Complete Profile

Timing: Do this immediately after creating account.

1. Personal Data

   • Enter NIK (must match KTP exactly)
   • Full name (must match KTP exactly)
   • Date of birth
   • Gender
   • Address

2. Contact Information

   • Confirm phone number
   • Confirm email
   • Add alternate phone (optional but recommended)

3. Education

   • Select highest education level
   • Enter graduation year
   • Confirm NOT currently studying

4. Employment

   • Select employment status
   • If employed: company name, position, monthly income
   • If self-employed: type of business, monthly income
   • If unemployed: duration, reason

5. Upload Documents

   • KTP photo (clear, readable)
   • Selfie holding KTP (face visible, KTP readable)
   • Optional: other ID documents

Step 4: Wait for Wave Opening

Where to watch for announcements:

• Instagram: @prakerja
• Twitter: @prakerja
• Facebook: Kartu Prakerja Official
• Website: www.prakerja.go.id

Typical announcement: "Wave X opens Monday, Feb 10 at 00:00 WIB. Registration closes Thursday, Feb 13 at 23:59 WIB."

Step 5: Submit Application During Wave

When wave opens:

1. Log into dashboard.prakerja.go.id
2. Click "Daftar Gelombang" (Register for Wave)
3. Verify all profile information is complete
4. Answer motivation question:
   • "Why do you want to join Prakerja?"
   • "What skills do you want to learn?"
   • Be specific and genuine (200-300 words)
5. Review and confirm submission
6. Receive confirmation: "Pendaftaran berhasil!" (Registration successful)

Important:

• You can only register for ONE wave at a time
• Once submitted, you cannot edit application
• Registration status shows as "Menunggu Pengumuman" (Waiting for announcement)

Step 6: Wait for Selection Results

Timeline: 1-2 weeks after wave closes

How results are announced:

1. Check dashboard.prakerja.go.id
2. Look for notification badge
3. Status will change to:
   • "Lulus" (Selected) - Congratulations!
   • "Tidak Lulus" (Not selected) - Can apply in next wave

If selected:

• Receive SMS notification
• Email confirmation sent
• Dashboard shows activation instructions

If not selected:

• No notification (just check dashboard)
• Immediately eligible to apply in next wave
• Selection is random lottery (not based on merit)

Step 7: Activate Your Account (If Selected)

Deadline: Within 7 days of selection

1. Log into dashboard
2. Click "Aktivasi Akun" (Activate Account)
3. Complete brief quiz (basic Prakerja knowledge)
4. Pass quiz (usually 70% required)
5. Account activated!
6. Rp 3,500,000 balance appears in dashboard

If you miss 7-day deadline:

• Account automatically deactivated
• You forfeit your Prakerja benefit
• Must re-apply in future waves

Step 8: Start Learning!

1. Browse 40+ training platforms
2. Select courses aligned with career goals
3. Purchase with Rp 3.5M balance
4. Complete within 30 days
5. Fill out surveys to earn Rp 700K incentives

Maximizing Your Selection Chances

Factors That Increase Selection Probability

1. Complete Profile (Most Important)

• 100% profile completion shows commitment
• Clear, readable KTP photo
• Accurate employment and education data
• Verified phone number and email

2. Thoughtful Motivation Statement

• Specific learning goals ("I want to learn Python for data analysis" vs "I want to improve myself")
• Clear connection to career advancement
• Genuine tone (avoid copy-pasting)
• Proper grammar and spelling

3. Early Application

• Apply within first 24 hours of wave opening
• System prioritizes early applicants (rumored, not confirmed)
• Avoids last-minute technical issues

4. Accurate Information

• NIK matches KTP exactly
• Name spelling identical to KTP
• Employment status truthful
• No contradictions in profile

5. Persistent Applications

• Apply to multiple waves if not selected
• Each wave is independent selection
• Some people selected on 1st try, others on 5th+ try

Factors That DON'T Affect Selection

❌ Income level (rich and poor have equal chance) ❌ Location (urban vs rural doesn't matter) ❌ Current employment (employed and unemployed treated equally) ❌ Education level (SMA and S2 have equal chance) ❌ Previous applications (applying 5 times doesn't give priority)

Selection is RANDOM LOTTERY among eligible applicants.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake 1: Waiting Until Last Minute

Problem: Waves close quickly (3-4 days). Website can be slow on last day.

Solution: Apply within first 24-48 hours of wave opening.

❌ Mistake 2: Incomplete Profile

Problem: Missing information = automatic rejection.

Solution: Complete ALL profile fields before wave opens. Upload clear KTP photo.

❌ Mistake 3: Wrong NIK or Name

Problem: NIK/name mismatch with KTP = automatic rejection.

Solution: Triple-check NIK is exactly 16 digits. Name matches KTP spelling exactly (including spacing).

❌ Mistake 4: Using Inactive Phone Number

Problem: Can't receive OTP codes = can't activate account if selected.

Solution: Use active phone number you'll have for 6+ months.

❌ Mistake 5: Generic Motivation Statement

Problem: Copy-pasted motivations may be filtered out.

Solution: Write genuine, specific statement about your learning goals (200-300 words).

❌ Mistake 6: Missing Activation Deadline

Problem: Not activating within 7 days = forfeit benefit.

Solution: Check dashboard daily after results announced. Set phone reminders.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue: "NIK sudah terdaftar" (NIK already registered)

Cause: You or someone else created account with this NIK.

Solution:

1. Try password reset with your phone number
2. If you never created account, contact support (cs@prakerja.go.id)
3. Provide KTP proof of ownership

Issue: Not receiving OTP codes

Cause: Phone number issue or network delay.

Solution:

1. Wait 5 minutes and try again
2. Check phone signal strength
3. Try different phone number
4. Contact telecom provider

Issue: "Anda sedang menempuh pendidikan" (Currently in education)

Cause: System detects you're enrolled in formal education.

Solution: If this is incorrect, contact support with proof you're not studying.

Issue: Website error during application

Cause: High traffic during wave opening.

Solution:

1. Clear browser cache
2. Try different browser (Chrome recommended)
3. Try different device (phone vs laptop)
4. Apply during off-peak hours (early morning)

After Selection: Next Steps

Week 1: Activation

☐ Check dashboard for selection status ☐ Complete activation quiz ☐ Verify Rp 3.5M balance appears ☐ Explore available training platforms

Week 2-3: Course Selection

☐ Review AI courses (start with Microsoft free courses) ☐ Read course reviews and ratings ☐ Create learning plan ☐ Purchase first 1-2 courses

Week 4-8: Learning

☐ Complete courses within 30 days ☐ Take notes and practice ☐ Pass assessments ☐ Download certificates

Week 9-10: Incentives

☐ Fill out post-training surveys ☐ Receive Rp 150K per survey ☐ Maximum Rp 700K total ☐ Update LinkedIn with new skills

Official Support Resources

Website: www.prakerja.go.id Help Center: bantuan.prakerja.go.id WhatsApp: 0811-2345-800 (text only, no calls) Email: cs@prakerja.go.id Instagram: @prakerja (wave announcements) Response time: 1-3 business days

Important: Beware of scams! Prakerja will NEVER:

• Ask for payment to guarantee selection
• Request bank account details via WhatsApp
• Call you asking for personal information
• Promise guaranteed selection for a fee