Malaysia Student Visa 2026: Requirements and EMGS Fees
International students in Malaysia apply for a Student Pass through one body: Education Malaysia Global Services, known as EMGS, which manages the visa application process for international students. You apply once you hold an offer letter, either through your institution or online yourself, and the application leads to a Visa Approval Letter (VAL). This guide sets out the documents, the fee list from EMGS's own calculator, the medical and insurance rules and the Graduate Pass that follows, all from the EMGS website as read on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
You need an offer letter, a passport valid for 18 months and above, a photo, academic records, a health declaration form and proof of English. The EMGS application fee for a new student at a private or public higher education institution is MYR1,728.00, with a Student Pass fee of MYR60.00, an eVAL fee of MYR159.00 and standard medical screening at MYR340.00. Medical insurance bought in Malaysia is compulsory, from RM498 a year. New students must attend a medical screening at a panel clinic within 7 working days of arrival.
Documents for a new Student Pass application
EMGS notes that your institution may collect these from you if you apply through it. You upload them yourself only if you choose to apply online on your own.
- One passport-size photograph with a white background, 35mm x 45mm.
- A copy of your passport: the data page, all pages with visa information and the observation page. Passport validity must be 18 months and above.
- Offer letter. You can fill in and submit the online form only once you have a letter of acceptance or offer from your university or college.
- Health Declaration Form, filled in and uploaded as a scanned copy.
- Academic certificates and transcripts of all studies previously undertaken.
- English language certificate. You must demonstrate an acceptable level of English when you apply for the Visa Approval Letter.
For a one-off Student Pass application, EMGS recommends a passport valid for 12 months longer than the duration of study. Its example is a 36-month course, for which the recommended validity is 48 months.
English tests accepted
EMGS lists MUET, IELTS, TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, PTE Academic, Cambridge English qualifications including B2 First and C1 Advanced, Linguaskill, OET and the ELS Certified Intensive English Programme. If you do not attach the certificate, processing may be delayed and you will not be eligible for a pass covering the full duration of your course.
Country-specific rules
- All passport pages: students from Libya, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen must provide a copy of all passport pages.
- Sudan: a No-Objection Certificate is required, applied for by the institution.
- Iran: a Letter of Eligibility is required, applied for by the institution at the Iranian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
- Yellow fever: students from countries considered at high risk must be inoculated before coming and show the vaccination card at the point of entry.
The personal bond
The Immigration Department requires every institution to sign a personal bond on behalf of the student, and the institution will ask you to lodge the specified amount. The money is returned on completion or withdrawal, on condition that no immigration law has been violated. The amount depends on your country.
Fees on the EMGS calculator
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| New application, Private Higher Education Institute (IPTS) | MYR1,728.00 |
| New application, Public Higher Educational Institutions (IPTA) | MYR1,728.00 |
| New application, short course at IPTS or IPTA | MYR864.00 |
| New application, Private Education Institute (IPS) | MYR540.00 |
| Renewal application, IPTS or IPTA | MYR270.00 |
| Medical screening, standard | MYR340.00 |
| Student Pass fee, standard | MYR60.00 |
| eVAL, standard fee | MYR159.00 |
| i-Kad, self-collect at EMGS | MYR50.00 |
| i-Kad, courier to institute | MYR60.60 |
The calculator adds a Multiple Entry Visa fee that depends on nationality. It shows MYR20.00 for a long list of countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Canada and Germany, MYR50.00 for India, MYR30.00 for China and MYR15.00 for Indonesia. Use the calculator for your own total, because the options differ by institution type and state.
Medical insurance
It is compulsory for every student entering Malaysia to have medical insurance, and all international students must be covered by a locally purchased scheme. Through the institution, a student can choose a plan from one of three providers. EMGS publishes these annual premiums:
| Plan | Maximum limit per disability | Premium per annum |
|---|---|---|
| Etiqa Plan 2 | RM30,000 | RM498 |
| Etiqa Plan 3 | RM50,000 | RM567 |
| Great Eastern Regular | RM30,000 | RM547 |
| Great Eastern Premium | RM50,000 | RM640 |
You are insured from the date you enter Malaysia if you tell your institution the date as soon as you arrive.
Entering Malaysia
EMGS publishes a list of countries whose students need a Single Entry Visa before entering Malaysia. It includes India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Germany and France, among many others, and EMGS warns that the list can change without prior notice.
After you arrive
- Tell your institution your arrival date, so that your insurance starts.
- Attend the medical screening at an EMGS panel clinic in Malaysia within 7 working days of your arrival date.
- Lodge the personal bond if you have not already. The form can be submitted after arrival, for the student pass endorsement.
- Wait for endorsement. EMGS states it cannot start the student pass endorsement if a student fails to undergo the in-country screening.
Students renewing their passes are not required to attend in-country medical screening.
After graduation: the Graduate Pass
The Graduate Pass is a Social Visit Pass that lets international students stay in Malaysia for a year after graduation and work in permitted job sectors, without an employer sponsor.
- It is only issued to students who have completed a bachelor's degree or higher.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months.
- You must hold a valid Student Pass during the application.
- You must have an active health insurance policy for the duration of the pass.
- You need a personal bond with a Malaysian citizen as sponsor, who must have a minimum monthly salary of RM 1,500.
- It is open to a list of eligible nationalities that includes Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
For Indian and Chinese nationals, EMGS says the service is valid until 31st December 2026, with approval considered case by case and a letter of good conduct required.
Frequently asked questions
What are the requirements for a Malaysia student visa?
An offer letter, a passport valid for 18 months and above, a passport-size photo with a white background, academic certificates and transcripts, a Health Declaration Form and an English language certificate.
How much does a Malaysia student visa cost?
On the EMGS calculator, a new application at a private or public higher education institution is MYR1,728.00, plus MYR60.00 for the Student Pass, MYR159.00 for the eVAL, medical screening, insurance, the i-Kad and a Multiple Entry Visa fee that depends on nationality.
How much is the student visa fee for Indian students?
The calculator lists a Multiple Entry Visa fee of MYR50.00 for India. The calculator's application fee and Student Pass fee options are not listed by nationality.
Is medical insurance compulsory for students in Malaysia?
Yes. All international students must be covered by a locally purchased medical health insurance scheme. Annual premiums on the EMGS page start at RM498.
Do I need a medical check for a Malaysian student visa?
Yes. New international students must attend a medical screening at a panel clinic in Malaysia within 7 working days of arrival.
Do I need a visa to enter Malaysia as a student?
Students from the countries on EMGS's list need a Single Entry Visa before entering Malaysia. Check the list for your nationality.
Can I stay in Malaysia after graduating?
Eligible graduates with a bachelor's degree or higher can apply for a Graduate Pass, which is valid for 12 months after graduation and does not need an employer sponsor.
Official sources
- Education Malaysia Global Services — Required documents for a student visa application
- EMGS — Calculate your application fee
- EMGS — Medical screening
- EMGS — Insurance
- EMGS — Countries that require a Single Entry Visa
- EMGS — Graduate Pass
All figures verified against the official pages above on 14 October 2026. Fees on the calculator depend on the options you select, and tuition fees are not covered here. Information, not legal advice.