Applying for an Malaysian student visa

Before you apply

There are certain requirements that overseas students must fulfill:

• You must have already been accepted for a full-time course of study at a public or private higher educational institution
• You must have the financial capability to meet the course fees and your living/travel expenses
• You must possess good health and character
• You must be seeking entry for study purposes only

All international students should check with the institution concerned to confirm that your intended course of study is endorsed by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA): www.mqa.gov.my

How to apply

All applications for student passes by international students are arranged through Malaysian educational institutions. The next-stage processing, approval and issuance of student passes and visas is carried out by the Immigration Department in Malaysia, except for students from the People's Republic of China (PRC). Students from the PRC have to get their visas from the Embassy of Malaysia or the Council of Malaysia in the PRC.

For further information about the immigration procedures and student pass, visit the government website: www.imi.gov.my

Or contact the Immigration Department in Malaysia:

Cost of Studying

Affordable tuition fees in Malaysia are one of the draws for international students.

Pre-university studies can cost from USD2,290 to 3,230 per year.

Bachelor's degree programmes vary in price dependent on the type of college and subject of study. Malaysian private universities generally offer the cheapest courses, while foreign branch campus universities' degree programmmes are likely to be more expensive. A business degree, for example, could cost anything from USD8,570 to 11,430 at a Malaysian private university and up to USD24,000 at a foreign branch university.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Malaysia is relatively cheap, with accommodation, either on- or off-campus, priced very reasonably. Depending on the location and standard of room, the average monthly rental for a single room (twin sharing) per student is between RM300 and RM450 (USD86 - USD 129). Other essential expenses such as food and transportation can cost between RM700 and RM950 (USD200 - USD 270) per month.

The average total cost of living for a student in Malaysia, therefore, will range from RM12,000 to RM17,000 (USD3,430 - 4,860) per year, working out significantly cheaper than for a student in, say, Australia where annual living costs can reach USD16,430.