A Quick Guide to Student Visas in Malaysia

Now that you have been accepted into a Malaysian university, don’t pack your stuff just yet. Before you can start your journey as an international student, you must first apply for a student visa in Malaysia. 

What’s a Student Visa and When Should Students Get it? 

A student visa is a document released by migration authorities indicating that you are allowed to enter another country and stay there for a specific period of time as a student. 

Students can apply for a student visa after they get their acceptance letter from their institution of choice. It is best to do it as soon as they get their acceptance letter since visa processing can sometimes differ per embassy or country. 

Eligibility and Requirements for a Student Visa in Malaysia

Before you can apply for a student visa, check if you are eligible for one, then make a checklist of the requirements. 

Age Requirements

In general, studying in a higher education institution in Malaysia is not subjected to any age limit. However, for those applying for language institutions, the age limit is between 18 to 35 years old. 

Medical Eligibilities and Requirements 

For their Visa Approval Letter (VAL) international students are required to submit a health declaration form, which they can obtain from their local doctor. A health declaration ensures that they are free from specific diseases and conditions such as tuberculosis, STD, hepatitis, and so on. Also, international students are required to have undergone immunization against yellow fever. A card/booklet certifying they’ve already been vaccinated for yellow fever is required when clearing Malaysia’s immigration. 

For individuals taking medications or who have recently undergone treatment, they need to obtain a letter from their physician detailing the medicine and the procedure. 

Note that after arriving in Malaysia, international students will still have to undergo a post-arrival medical screening through one of the country’s EMGS. 

English Proof of Proficiency

Most Malaysian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) require international students to pass a certain level of English proficiency before getting accepted. Below are some English proficiency tests accepted in Malaysia’s HEIs. 

• TOEFL
• IELTS
• PTE-A
• CAE
• CPE
• MUET

Steps in Applying for a Student Visa in Malaysia 

Below are the steps in applying for a Malaysian student visa. 

Step 1: Application

You can directly apply for a student visa online with the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) or with the help of the university or an education agent. Moreover, ensure you have all the required documents when applying as you need to upload them. Basic documents include the following: 

• Letter of offer
• Passport 
• Academic results
• Pre-arrival health report

After applying online, you will have to pay an initial payment for your visa’s processing. Processing usually costs around $240. 

Step 2: Issuance of Visa Approval Letter (VAL)

After applying, students would have to wait for their VAL, for at least 14 business days after submitting their requirements. 

After getting their student visa in Malaysia, students can then continue with their preparation before going abroad. To help you in your pre-departure preparation, check out MSM Unify’s article on Items to Pack in Your Luggage When Studying Abroad.