With Malaysia focused on becoming a regional centre of educational excellence, we expect to see more international students enrolling in International House Malaysia. We provide assistance with student visa application, airport pick-up, accommodation, travel arrangements, health insurance and personal counseling. The orientation of our foreign students takes into consideration educational, cultural and social adjustments.
The International Students Club serves the needs of our growing population of students from overseas. Its purpose is to help international students adapt to life at the School and Malaysia, as well as to get the most out of their stay by organizing a wide range of extra-curricular and cultural activities. Malaysian students are also encouraged to join the club in order to promote friendship and hospitality by nurturing interaction and cultural exchange between international and local students.
All International students are required to comply with policies set by the Immigration Department of Malaysia. Please adhere strictly to the requirements to minimize delay or other problems that may arise.
A passport or travel document with minimum one and half year (18 months) validity is required to come into the country. You need to obtain an approval letter from the Malaysian Immigration Department prior to entering the country.
You are to send all the necessary documentation to the relevant authority to apply for your student pass/visa (this will be applied for by the school on your behalf). The whole process will take 6 to 8 weeks. Once approved, the Immigration Department of Malaysia will send you a Visa Approval Letter (VAL). You are required to seek advice from the nearest Malaysian Embassy, High Commission or mission for applying and obtaining an entry visa.
Please note that the VAL is valid for only three (3) months.
Upon receiving your entry visa, you are to inform the School seven (7) working days prior to departing from your country. Bring along a copy of the VAL. Representatives of the University will meet you at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and assist you in processing your entry visa at the Immigration checkpoint. Please submit your passport to the International Student Services to obtain your student visa sticker as soon as possible, preferably the day after arrival.
It is illegal to study in Malaysia under a social/tourist pass. A Special Pass is granted at the discretion of the Director-General of Immigration or person acting on his behalf. The Director-General has the right to reject any Special Pass application without giving any reason.
Students who wish to change schools after they have received their student visa will need to obtain approval from the Immigration authorities. Any transfer student who wishes to study in IH Malaysia has to cancel his/her visa from the previous School. We advise such students to submit all the relevant documentations to our visa department and leave the country. Students are to come in once they obtain the VAL from the Immigration Department. Students holding a valid pass under one college are not allowed to study in another.
Please bear in mind that International students are not allowed to work in Malaysia during their course of study. They are also not to engage in any kind of business activities directly or indirectly. Anyone found doing so will be deported immediately.
Bring your passport to International Student Office (ISO) at least 60 days (approximately 2 months) before the expiry date of your student pass for processing. If students do not comply with the 60 days' renewal period, an administrative cost will be charged according to the number of days before the passport expires. All International students must have valid insurance before applying for student pass renewal.
| No of days before expiry date | Admin charges (RM) |
|---|---|
| Less than 14 | 100 |
| Less than 24 hours | 100 + student must be present at Immigration |
Fill up the student pass and Immigration forms provided by International Student Service Department (ISSD) staff. The supporting documents that you need to provide are:
a. 1 passport-sized photograph.
b. Receipt of tuition fee payment (one year’s fees for a one year student pass).
c. Receipt of medical insurance payment.
d. Immigration fee for student pass (the fee varies from country to country).
Overall, it takes about 1 month to process the application.
The APPROVAL of renewal is subject to:
a. Passport - Student passport should have at least 1½ year (18 months) validity.
b. Attendance - Student must have an attendance of equal to or more than 95% on first renewal and 80% on subsequent renewal.
c. In addition, those who are absent for 3 consecutive days in class must provide a valid reason to Immigration.
d. Academic results - Student must have a minimum of CGPA: 2.00 (Cumulative Grade Point Average)
e. Anyone having less than CGPA: 2.00 will have to write an appeal letter to the Immigration. (An appeal is granted only once)
f. The Immigration has the right to cancel student pass based on poor academic results and attendance.
Student withdrawing from their studies must report to ISSD one month prior to departure, fill up the withdrawal form and obtain the approval for the deposit refund. Students are to bring along a confirmed air ticket and a photocopy for Immigration processing. Student pass will be cancelled. Anyone failing to comply will result in ISSD lodging a Police report, notifying the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Higher Education to cancel the student pass.
All document processing will take up to 2 months, after which the student will get a refund of personal bond & security deposit.
Students who defer studies will have their student pass cancelled. Student to report to ISSD with confirmed ticket 3 weeks before departing. Get advice from ISSD before purchasing the ticket. Anyone failing to comply will result in ISSD lodging a Police report, notifying the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Higher Education to affect the cancellation of the student pass.
If you renew/change your passport, you are required to transfer your student pass to the new passport immediately. Your student pass will not be valid in the old passport. Bring your old and new passports to ISSD so that we can advise you on what to do. In the event you lose your passport, lodge a report at the nearest Police station and provide us with a copy of the report. Go to your Embassy/High Commission to make a new one. You are required to carry your passport at all times when you travel in Malaysia.
Students wishing to return home/go on holiday must submit their passports to ISSD three months prior to the expiry date of their student pass and bring a copy of a confirmed air ticket 2 weeks before departure.
International Student Services Department business hours;
8.30am to 5.00pm – Monday to Friday
8.30am to 12.00pm – Saturday
Malaysia also imposes exchange controls. You are advised not to carry large amounts of cash. You will be required to declare the amount of currency you are bringing into the country at Malaysian airports.
For more information please drop by ISSD to seek advice.