MalaysiaStudy and training

Malaysia student visa: the Student Pass through EMGS

Student Pass (via Education Malaysia Global Services)

In short

International students at Malaysian universities, colleges and language centres need a Student Pass. The application is made from outside Malaysia through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), which screens the file and passes it to the Immigration Department for the electronic visa approval letter (eVAL). The pass is endorsed after a medical examination within seven days of arrival.

Apply on Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Pass duration follows the course, renewed as needed.
Fee
MYR 1,600EMGS new-student processing fee for the longer duration band (RM800 for up to six months), before 8% service tax; plus eVAL RM150, iKad RM50, medical RM250, Student Pass RM60 and visa RM0 to 50.
Work
Students at public universities and private higher education institutions may work part-time up to 20 hours a week in approved sectors, with Immigration approval.
Family
Only Master's and PhD students may bring dependants; dependants cannot work.
Where to apply
From outside Malaysia, online through the EMGS portal or the institution.

Who needs a Student Pass

The Student Pass is granted to non-citizens aged three and above studying from pre-school to higher education. For higher education it covers public universities, private institutions approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and authorised by the Ministry of Home Affairs to enrol international students, and approved language, training and skills centres. School-level students apply through the Immigration Department offices instead of EMGS.

Documents

EMGS asks for a passport valid for at least 18 months (12 months longer than the course is recommended for one-off applications), a 35 x 45 mm photo on a white background, the offer letter, academic certificates and transcripts, a health declaration form, a personal bond lodged by the institution and an English proficiency certificate such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, MUET or Cambridge English. Without proof of English the pass may be shorter than the course. Travellers from yellow fever risk countries need a vaccination record.

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport photo 35 x 45 mm on a white background

Travel

  • Passport valid for at least 18 months, with copies of the bio page, visa pages and observation page

Study

  • Offer letter from an authorised Malaysian institution
  • Academic certificates and transcripts
  • English proficiency certificate (for example IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, MUET)

Insurance

  • Health declaration form and health insurance valid in Malaysia for at least 12 months

Other

  • Personal bond lodged by the institution

Fees

According to EMGS fee schedule v1.6, a new university or private-institution student pays a processing fee of RM800 for study durations up to six months and RM1,600 for the longer band, plus RM150 for the eVAL, RM50 for the iKad and RM250 for medical screening, before 8 percent service tax. Renewals cost RM250. The Immigration Department charges RM60 for the Student Pass and a visa fee of RM0 to 50 (RM20 for most countries). EMGS insurance packages cost about RM456 to 958 for 12 months, or students can buy cover through their institution.

After arrival

Students must complete the post-arrival medical examination within seven days. Once it is passed and EMGS issues its support letter, the institution submits the passport to the immigration office nearest to the campus for the Student Pass endorsement. Renewals require a CGPA of at least 2.0 and attendance of at least 80 percent, or an explanation letter from the institution.

Work and family rules

Students of public universities and private higher education institutions can apply for permission to work up to 20 hours a week in restaurants, petrol stations, mini markets, hotels or on campus, with a job offer and a support letter giving semester and holiday dates. Front-desk work and student recruitment are prohibited, and language or training centre students cannot work. Only Master's and PhD students may bring a spouse, children under 18, disabled children, parents or parents-in-law; their social visit pass costs RM90.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Obtain an offer letter from a Malaysian institution authorised to enrol international students.
  2. While outside Malaysia, apply online through the EMGS portal or let the institution submit the application.
  3. Pay the EMGS fees and complete pre-arrival medical screening if your clinic is not EMGS-registered.
  4. Receive the eVAL; visa-required nationals then apply for a single entry visa on MyVISA.
  5. Travel, file the MDAC and complete the post-arrival medical check within seven days.
  6. The institution submits your passport for Student Pass endorsement.

Forms

Frequently asked questions

Do international students need a visa for Malaysia?

They need a Student Pass through EMGS and the eVAL. Nationals not on the visa-required list need no separate eVISA.

Can I apply for a Student Pass in Malaysia?

No. Applicants must be outside Malaysia when the application is submitted.

Can international students work in Malaysia?

Students at public universities and private higher education institutions may work up to 20 hours a week in approved sectors with Immigration approval.

Can I bring my spouse while studying?

Only if you are a Master's or PhD student. Dependants cannot work.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Malaysia

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Set by the immigration officer at entry; the usual period depends on nationality.
  • Transit visa Processing time: Set by the Malaysian mission where you apply; apply at least three working days before the flight.

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Social visit pass: as stamped at entry. MEV: 30 days per entry.
  • Entrepreneur and start-up visa Maximum stay: New: 1 year plus 1 renewal. Established: up to 5 years plus one 5-year renewal.
  • Investor visa Maximum stay: Six months, with a possible six-month extension.

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: Each pass up to 60 months, following the employment contract; total tenure up to 10 years (Categories I and II) or 5 years (Category III).
  • Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months per issuance; training at a factory or hotel up to six months.
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Approved for 10 years; the ePASS is first issued for five years or the passport validity, then renewed to complete 10 years.
  • Digital nomad visa Maximum stay: 3 to 12 months, renewable for 12 more months; 24 months in total.

Family

  • Family reunification visa Validity: Follows the principal's Employment Pass, or the dependant's passport if shorter; LT-SVP approvals are for up to 12 months at a time.
  • Spouse and partner visa Validity: LTSVP for at least six months and up to five years, subject to approval.

Residence

Online travel permits

Protection

Malaysia visa guide