Student Pass (Visa)

All students undertaking full-time studies in Malaysia are required to obtain a Student Pass (Visa). The application and the approval to study in Malaysia must be obtained before entering Malaysia.

The Immigration Department of Malaysia issues and regulates the passes. Curtin University Malaysia does not have the authority to approve or reject your student pass application.

Electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL) and Single-Entry Visa (SEV) are not the Student Pass (Visa). Students are responsible for completing both the pre-arrival and post-arrival visa processes in a timely manner. All fees related to Visa Processing and Medical Examination is excluded from the tuition fees and should be fully borne by the students.

Before you arrive

As an international student coming to study at the University for a full-time course, you must accept your offer and apply for a student pass before coming to Malaysia to start your course. Do not make any arrangements to enter Malaysia until you have obtained the approval of your visa application.

Apply for a student pass

You are required to login and apply directly to Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS).

View visa application guidelines

Documents (softcopy) required:

Passport-size photographs (3.5cm x 4.5cm) – white background. Please refer to EMGS photo guidelines
All pages of your passport(s), including blank pages, on single-sided A4 paper without enlargement or reduction. Centre each double page of the passport on the paper. You must ensure your passport has a validity of eighteen (18) months or more
Latest academic transcripts and certificates
Completed Health Declaration Form
Completed Pre-Arrival Medical Check-Up in the home country (List of EMGS Approved Clinics)
Choose either one of the Medical Insurances offered by EMGS

Additional documents and/or actions are required and to be provided during the submission of your student pass application if you are under these categories:

Category	Additional documents and/or actions required
Country of citizenship	Please liaise with the respective Embassy in Malaysia for the required document if you are a citizen from: Iran – Letter of Eligibility (LOE) Oman – No Objection Letter (NOL) Sudan – No Objection Certificate (NOC)
Transferring from another institution in Malaysia	Release Letter and Attendance Report (attendance should not be less than 80%) A copy of the latest valid pass and/or exit stamp (if the previous pass has been cancelled and you are outside Malaysia)
Progressing within Curtin Malaysia	If you are in Malaysia and planning to stay until the commencement of the new semester, you will need to ensure that your student pass is valid at all times. A Special Pass may apply to you if your student pass has expired/ will be expiring in 14 days. If you are in Malaysia and planning to return to your home country until you receive an eVAL before returning to Malaysia, please submit your passport to ISO for the cancellation of your student pass.
Changing course or major within Curtin Malaysia	It is only allowed during your first year of study. International students need not leave Malaysia when applying for a student pass to reflect this new course. If you are applying for a change in course after your first year of study, you are required to exit Malaysia and apply for a student pass with the new course name while overseas. Explanation Letter of the reason for the change of course. Optional: Supporting documents from Head of Department and Dean of Faculty (if required by EMGS and Immigration Malaysia)
Dependant/MM2H visa holder	Student holding dependant MM2H pass (visa) are NOT allowed to study with this pass. You are required to cancel/shorten your pass to apply for Student Pass before start of your course. Dependant visa holders can apply for their Student Pass from inside Malaysia.

Check your student pass application status

You may check the status of your student pass application after 14 working days upon submitting the complete documents to EMGS and payment to Curtin Malaysia. The application process can take up to six (6) to eight (8) weeks, so you are advised to submit your application as early as possible.

After the Immigration Department of Malaysia approves your student pass application, you will be receiving an eVAL and you will receive an email notification from International Student Office. You may also download the softcopy of the eVAL from EMGS website.

What to do before and upon arrival

Plan your travels to enter Malaysia at least one (1) month before your eVAL expires. When booking your flight ticket to Malaysia, please remember that international arrivals are only permitted at KLIA and KLIA 2.

Please make sure you have settled your accommodation booking and filled up the airport pick-up form at least five (5) working days before boarding the flight if you opt for an airport pick-up.

Bring along the following documents before boarding your flight to Malaysia:

A valid passport
Offer letter issued by Curtin University Malaysia
Electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL)
Single-Entry Visa (SEV)
Sufficient funds to cover the cost of living in Malaysia for approximately twelve (12) weeks
A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate for those coming from or transited more than 12 hours through countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission

Important notes:

Check here if your country is listed that requires a Single-Entry Visa (SEV) before entering Malaysia. If you require one, liaise with the Malaysian diplomatic mission closest to you for the length of time for processing of SEV.
If the students fail to obtain SEV within 6 months from the date of the issuance of eVAL or expired, student are required to apply for a new visa application.
Recently, Immigration Department of Malaysia has introduced eVISA for some countries. This means you can apply visa via online. Please refer to nearest Malaysian Embassy/High Commissions/Consulate office to get more information.
Present all required documents as listed to the Immigration Department Counter at the airport and they will issue you with a Special Pass. Note that the Special Pass is only valid between 14 to 30 days.
If you receive a Social Pass stamp, please return to the Immigration Department Counter and request an amendment of the stamp. The Immigration Department of Malaysia will not issue you with a student pass sticker if a Social Pass stamp is issued.

Mandatory medical screening, student pass endorsement and opening bank account

You must report to the International Student Office on-campus on the next working day after arrival. You will receive further instructions on completing your post-arrival medical examination (health check) which must be completed within seven (7) days at an EMGS panel clinic.

Any student fail in their post-medical will have to return back to their home country and the University will not be responsible for any cost incurred.

This endorsement process by the Immigration Department of Malaysia takes between two (2) to four (4) weeks. Once your passport has been endorsed (with the issuance of a student pass sticker), ISO will contact you via email for collection.

You are advised not to make any travel plans until your passport has been returned with your student pass endorsement sticker.

You are only able to open a bank account once you have obtained the Student Pass endorsement sticker. The bank will process your application and this may take up to two (2) weeks. Once your application is successful, the bank will contact you to come in person to open the bank account. Please contact ISO for further details.

Please note that banks may require your Student Pass (visa) to be valid for more than 6 months and requirements may differ from bank to bank.

During your studies

You must ensure that you have a valid student pass at all times and renew it on time to avoid needing to temporarily suspend your studies and return to your home country.

It is mandatory to submit your student pass renewal at least three (3) months before its expiry date. We advise you to set a reminder on your device to avoid missing this important deadline.

After your studies

Now that you have completed your course, your student pass must be cancelled before you leave the University. Failure to comply with this procedure will result in the University notifying the authorities: Police, Ministry of Higher Education, the respective Embassy/High Commission and the Immigration Department of Malaysia. This may affect your future application for a new student pass or other passes with the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

This process is also applicable if you are going on leave of absence, discontinuing or moving to another Malaysian institution for your studies.

Student Pass (Visa)

Before you arrive

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During your studies

After your studies