Malaysia student visa guide

Your Malaysia
student visa,
step by step.

How the student pass works for university and college students, from your offer letter to the pass in your passport. Checked against Education Malaysia (EMGS) on 31 October 2026.

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We guide your documents. Immigration decides your visa.

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Based in Kuala Lumpur since 2007.
Visa documentation guidance.

At a glance

14 working days: EMGS processing standard for a complete application
6 months: How long your eVAL stays valid
7 working days: To complete medical screening after you arrive
18 months+: Passport validity EMGS asks for

Source: Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS). Rules can change, so we confirm them for your case.

Most delays start with paperwork.

A missing passport page, a passport that expires too soon or a missing English certificate can slow your application. Get the documents right the first time.

How it works

From offer letter
to student pass,
in 7 steps.

This is the sequence EMGS describes for students entering higher education. Your institution’s international office is part of every step.

Get help with your application

Accept your offer letter

Your university or college issues an offer. The visa process starts once you accept it.

Apply to EMGS

You apply online through EMGS, or your institution submits for you through its STARS system.

Screening and document checks

EMGS reviews your academic documents and checks your application is complete.

Receive your eVAL

Immigration issues your electronic Visa Approval Letter. It is valid for six months.

Get an entry visa if required

Students from some countries also need a single-entry visa (SEV) through Malaysia’s eVISA before travel.

Arrive and complete medical screening

Report to the EMGS counter at KLIA, then complete screening at a panel clinic within 7 working days.

Student pass endorsed in your passport

After screening, your student pass is issued into your passport and you can start your studies.

Document checklist

What you will
need to prepare.

Based on the EMGS required-documents list. Your institution may ask for these if it applies for you.

Every student

One passport photo, white background, 35 × 45 mm
Passport copy: bio-data page and every page with a visa or stamp
Passport valid for 18 months or more
Offer letter from your institution
Health Declaration Form
Academic certificates and transcripts
English test certificate, such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or MUET
Personal bond, arranged with your institution

Some students also need

Every passport page, for nationals of certain countries
A letter from your embassy or authorities, for certain nationalities
A yellow fever vaccination card, if you come from a high-risk country
Extra documents if you will study in Sarawak
A single-entry visa (SEV) before travel, for nationals of listed countries

Requirements differ by nationality and can change without notice. We check the current list for your country before you submit.

Costs to plan for

What the visa
process costs.

EMGS fee calculator

Application fee: RM540–1,728Depends on your institution type
Medical insurance: RM498–644Yearly premium, EMGS-listed plans
Medical screening: RM250–350Not required at some public university clinics

Also listed by EMGS: eVAL RM159, student pass RM60, i-Kad from RM50, plus a visa fee for some nationalities and 8% service tax on processing fees. Figures from the EMGS fee calculator and insurance page, checked 31 October 2026. Course fees are separate.

Clear expectations

What we help with.
What others decide.

You will know what is included
before you agree to anything.

We help you

Check your documents against the current EMGS list
Coordinate translations and notarisation where needed
Work with your institution on submission and progress
Prepare for arrival, screening and insurance

Good to know

EMGS and the Immigration Department decide every application
No agent can guarantee a visa or speed up processing
Visa, insurance and third-party fees are paid separately; our visa-processing help is free for families
School-age students and guardians follow different rules

This guide covers university and college students. If your child will attend an international school, see our International schools in Kuala Lumpur guide.

Visa questions

What students ask
about the visa.

Answers based on EMGS guidance.
Your case may differ.

Ask us your question

How long does a Malaysian student visa take?

EMGS states a client charter of 14 working days for a complete application. Incomplete or incorrect applications can take longer, so check every document before you submit.

Can I enter Malaysia before my eVAL is issued?

No. EMGS states that a student may only enter Malaysia after receiving the eVAL. Entering while it is still being processed is not permitted.

How long is the eVAL valid?

The eVAL is valid for six months from the date it is issued. Plan your travel inside that window.

Do I need health insurance?

Yes. EMGS states that medical insurance is compulsory for every student entering Malaysia. It is usually arranged through your institution with an EMGS-listed provider.

When do I do the medical screening?

New students complete medical screening at an EMGS panel clinic within 7 working days of arriving in Malaysia. Your student pass is endorsed in your passport after that.

Can my family come with me on a student visa?

Postgraduate students can apply for dependants. Undergraduates can only do so if they are citizens of certain listed countries. Ask us to check your situation.

How much does the student visa cost?

It depends on your institution type and nationality. EMGS lists the application fee, eVAL, student pass, i-Kad, medical screening and insurance separately. We go through the total with you before you apply.

Official sources

Last checked 31 October 2026. FPM Education is not EMGS or the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

Your next step

Get your documents
right the first time.

Tell us your nationality, institution and intake. We’ll check what you need and guide you through each step.