Step by step guide for international students: a timeline of what you need to do when coming to Malaysia

by StudyMalaysia.com on June 29, 2016 | Top Stories

Are you an IGCSE (or A-levels and its equivalent) student planning on coming to Malaysia to study? Going abroad is an exciting experience that can seem a little scary at first. But if you know what you need to consider, plan and organise, your journey as an international student will become a little less overwhelming and a whole lot more fun!
Here’s a timeline that you can use to help you prepare for your journey as an international student in Malaysia.

Timeline for international students coming to Malaysia

Step by step guide for international students: a timeline of what you need to do when coming to Malaysia

12-15 months before arrival Where and what do I want to study?
Find out more information about higher education opportunities in Malaysia using these options: ✓ www.studymalaysia.com ✓ Malaysia Education Promotion Centre (MEPC) or Education Malaysia Overseas Offices in your country (if available) ✓ Higher education fairs in your country ✓ Education consultants in your country After you gather as much information as you can, determine: ✓ what type of qualification you want to pursue (diploma, bachelor’s degree) ✓ what subject or field of study you want to pursue ✓ what type of higher education institution (HEI) is right for you ✓ Education consultants in your country ✓ which HEIs offer the course you want

12-15 months before arrival

Where and what do I want to study?

Find out more information about higher education opportunities in Malaysia using these options:

✓ www.studymalaysia.com

✓ Malaysia Education Promotion Centre (MEPC) or Education Malaysia Overseas Offices in your country (if available)

✓ Higher education fairs in your country

✓ Education consultants in your country

After you gather as much information as you can, determine:

✓ what type of qualification you want to pursue (diploma, bachelor’s degree)

✓ what subject or field of study you want to pursue

✓ what type of higher education institution (HEI) is right for you

✓ Education consultants in your country

✓ which HEIs offer the course you want

9-12 months before arrival Do I have everything I need? What else do I need to do?
Find out more information about higher education opportunities in Malaysia using these options: ✓ Find out if you fulfil the admission requirements of the HEI you’re interested in ✓ Make sure that you have the required English proficiency level for the course you’re applying ✓ Ensure the HEI you’re applying to is authorised to enrol international students ✓ Determine how you’re going to finance your studies

9-12 months before arrival

Do I have everything I need? What else do I need to do?

Find out more information about higher education opportunities in Malaysia using these options:

✓ Find out if you fulfil the admission requirements of the HEI you’re interested in

✓ Make sure that you have the required English proficiency level for the course you’re applying

✓ Ensure the HEI you’re applying to is authorised to enrol international students

✓ Determine how you’re going to finance your studies

6-9 months before Preparing your application – what do you need to do and when?
✓ Find out when the application deadline is for the intake you want ✓ Find out what documents you need for your application and where you can obtain them ✓ Submit your application to the HEIs you’re interested in ✓ Wait for outcome of your application and decide which one to accept ✓ Accept the offer and apply for a room at the hostel or hall of residence (if you plan to stay on campus)

6-9 months before

Preparing your application – what do you need to do and when?

✓ Find out when the application deadline is for the intake you want

✓ Find out what documents you need for your application and where you can obtain them

✓ Submit your application to the HEIs you’re interested in

✓ Wait for outcome of your application and decide which one to accept

✓ Accept the offer and apply for a room at the hostel or hall of residence (if you plan to stay on campus)

3-6 months before arrival Planning your trip – immigration matters and more
✓ The HEI will apply for a student pass and Visa Approval Letter (VAL) for you or you can also apply directly online via www.educationmalaysia.gov.my portal ✓ You will need to pay for the visa processing fee together with fees for medical insurance, medical screening and immigration fees ✓ If your application is approved, you will receive a VAL through the institution ✓ Find out from your HEI or the Malaysian immigration if you need to apply for a single entry visa ✓ To apply for an entry visa, you will need to bring along your VAL and other travel documents to the Malaysian embassy nearest to you. (A list of Malaysian Missions Overseas can be found at www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/malaysian-mission.) ✓ Ensure that you obtain the necessary vaccinations Note: Students can and are encouraged to submit their application for VAL (through the college they intend to enrol at) as soon as they receive their school’s exam forecast results. However, their actual exam slip is required when getting the official endorsement on their passport for a Student Pass.

3-6 months before arrival

Planning your trip – immigration matters and more

✓ The HEI will apply for a student pass and Visa Approval Letter (VAL) for you or you can also apply directly online via www.educationmalaysia.gov.my portal

✓ You will need to pay for the visa processing fee together with fees for medical insurance, medical screening and immigration fees

✓ If your application is approved, you will receive a VAL through the institution

✓ Find out from your HEI or the Malaysian immigration if you need to apply for a single entry visa

✓ To apply for an entry visa, you will need to bring along your VAL and other travel documents to the Malaysian embassy nearest to you. (A list of Malaysian Missions Overseas can be found at www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/malaysian-mission.)

✓ Ensure that you obtain the necessary vaccinations

Note: Students can and are encouraged to submit their application for VAL (through the college they intend to enrol at) as soon as they receive their school’s exam forecast results. However, their actual exam slip is required when getting the official endorsement on their passport for a Student Pass.

1 month before arrival Planning your trip – immigration matters and more
✓ Book your travel tickets ✓ Finalise your accommodation plans ✓ Draw up a list of things to pack

1 month before arrival

Planning your trip – immigration matters and more

Step by step guide for international students: a timeline of what you need to do when coming to Malaysia

✓ Book your travel tickets

✓ Finalise your accommodation plans

✓ Draw up a list of things to pack

Upon arrival You’re here!
✓ When you arrive at the airport or any other entry point in Malaysia, you’ll need to show your student pass approval letter (VAL) at the immigration check point ✓ A Special Pass will be issued to refer you to the respective State Immigration Department where you will be issued a student pass ✓ The special pass is usually be valid for 30 days from the date of entry ✓ If you weren’t required to apply for a visa beforehand, you will be issued a visa at the entry point in the form of an endorsement on your passport (with a validity period of at least six months) ✓ A representative from the institution will be at the immigration check point to receive and attend to you when clearing the immigration checkpoint ✓ After the immigration clearance, the representative will be responsible for transferring you to the educational institution to report your arrival ✓Your institution will assist you in completing your enrolment and other immigration matters

Upon arrival

You’re here!

Step by step guide for international students: a timeline of what you need to do when coming to Malaysia

✓ When you arrive at the airport or any other entry point in Malaysia, you’ll need to show your student pass approval letter (VAL) at the immigration check point

✓ A Special Pass will be issued to refer you to the respective State Immigration Department where you will be issued a student pass

✓ The special pass is usually be valid for 30 days from the date of entry

✓ If you weren’t required to apply for a visa beforehand, you will be issued a visa at the entry point in the form of an endorsement on your passport (with a validity period of at least six months)

✓ A representative from the institution will be at the immigration check point to receive and attend to you when clearing the immigration checkpoint

✓ After the immigration clearance, the representative will be responsible for transferring you to the educational institution to report your arrival

✓Your institution will assist you in completing your enrolment and other immigration matters

Source:

Study Malaysia Handbook (10th international edition, published by Challenger Concept)

Related articles:

International university students
studying in Malaysia – your 2021
FAQs answered

What you need to know if you’re
a Malaysian student returning to
college or university in 2021

StudyMalaysia.com

Step by step guide for international students: a timeline of what you need to do when coming to Malaysia