The entire international student application process is managed by a single, government-owned entity:
For Visa & Application Processing: EMGS Official Portal
For Institutional Accreditation: Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR)
Kuala Lumpur. EMGS and the relevant ministries are headquartered in the capital city.
3 to 6 months. The process is relatively streamlined thanks to the centralized EMGS system, but time is needed for university admissions and the visa approval stages.
Student Pass. The process involves first getting a Visa Approval Letter (VAL) from EMGS. Students from some countries then need a Single Entry Visa (SEV) to enter. The final Student Pass sticker is affixed to the passport after arrival in Malaysia.
A student consults with an agent, who assesses their academic qualifications against the entry requirements of MQA-accredited Malaysian universities.
The consultant helps the student choose a suitable program and university, ensuring the course is registered with the MQA and approved by the MoHE for international student intake.
The consultant submits the student's application along with all required academic documents to the university's international admissions office.
Key Documents: Academic transcripts and certificates, passport copy, and passport-sized photographs with a specific background colour (usually white or blue).
Once the university approves the application, it issues an official Letter of Offer. This letter is required to begin the next, most critical phase.
Upon receiving the student's acceptance and initial fee payment, the university (not the student) submits the Student Pass application to EMGS through the online portal. The consultant's role is to ensure all documents are correct and meet EMGS standards before the university submits them.
Documents for EMGS: University Offer Letter, academic records, passport pages, photograph, a completed pre-arrival medical screening form, and an academic declaration.
EMGS processes the application, which includes vetting by the Malaysian Immigration Department. If everything is in order, EMGS issues an electronic Visa Approval Letter (VAL). The VAL is the official pre-approval for the student to travel to Malaysia.
With the VAL, the student must apply for a Single Entry Visa (SEV) at the nearest Malaysian Embassy, Consulate, or official visa application centre. The consultant will guide them on this process.
Note: Students from certain countries do not require an SEV and can enter Malaysia by presenting their VAL at the port of entry. The consultant must advise the student based on their nationality.
A formal interview is not a standard requirement for the Malaysian student pass application. The entire process is document-based and managed online through EMGS. An interview would only be requested in very rare cases where the embassy or immigration authorities have specific concerns that cannot be resolved through paperwork.
The student travels to Malaysia and presents their passport, VAL, and SEV (if applicable) to the immigration officer at the airport, who will grant them entry with a special temporary pass.
Within 7 working days of arriving in Malaysia, the student MUST undergo a post-arrival medical screening at an EMGS-approved panel clinic. The university's international office will facilitate this. The results are sent directly to EMGS.
Once EMGS receives the medical clearance, the university's representative will take the student's original passport to the State Immigration Department. The immigration authorities will then affix the official, multi-entry Student Pass sticker into the passport. This sticker is the student's long-term visa and residence permit, typically valid for one year and renewable annually.