International Students Returning To Malaysia: What's The Situation?

can international students come back to malaysia

As of June 2020, international students with existing student visas were permitted to return to Malaysia to resume their studies. However, new international students were blocked from entering the country until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision raised concerns among higher education providers about its impact on the private higher education industry, which was already facing challenges due to the pandemic. Returning international students had to meet several conditions, including undergoing health screenings, mandatory quarantine at designated stations, and bearing the costs of quarantine.

Characteristics Values
Can international students return to Malaysia? Yes, international students with existing student visas can return to Malaysia.
Can new international students enter Malaysia? No, new international students are blocked from entering Malaysia.
Requirements for international students returning to Malaysia International students must register with the Education Ministry or Higher Education Ministry for reference at the airports. They must undergo a PCR or antibody rapid test in their home country three days before entering Malaysia. They must also quarantine for 14 days at their own expense at a centre determined by NADMA.

shunstudent

International students with existing visas can return to Malaysia

Once the LoU has been approved, students must then obtain a Letter of Approval (Entry Permit) from a Malaysian Mission abroad. They will then be required to undergo a PCR test or antibody rapid test in their home country within three days of their entry into Malaysia to ensure they test negative for COVID-19.

Upon arrival, international students must undergo a 14-day quarantine at designated stations, the cost of which must be borne by the students themselves. During the quarantine period, three meals will be provided each day, and officers will oversee the students' safety and welfare. Students must carry out their own laundry and perform daily health self-checks.

The Malaysian government's decision to allow international students with existing visas to return to the country while blocking new international students has raised concerns among higher education providers about its impact on the sector. They acknowledged that while the move was necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19, it would hurt the private higher education industry, which is already struggling due to the pandemic.

shunstudent

New international students blocked from entering

As of 2020, international students with existing student visas can return to Malaysia, but new international students are blocked from entering the country. The Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) website stated that entry for new international students is on hold until further notice. This sudden announcement was made with no explanation to higher education providers.

The Malaysian government's move to halt the entry of new international students has raised concerns among higher education providers about its impact on the private higher education industry. While the decision was deemed necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19, it will undoubtedly hurt an industry already reeling from the pandemic's effects. Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad said that Malaysia's higher education institutions received over 9,000 applications from new international students hoping to begin their studies in early 2021.

In contrast, international students with valid study visas or those whose visas expired after 1 February 2020 can enter Malaysia to continue their studies. These students must be registered with EMGS and obtain a travel authorisation from the Director-General of the Malaysian Immigration Department. They must also undergo a 14-day quarantine at their own expense, which costs RM150 per day, in hotels or other premises designated by the Malaysian government.

International students must also undergo a PCR test or antibody rapid test in their home country three days before entering Malaysia to ensure they test negative for COVID-19. They must download and sign a Letter of Undertaking (LoU), which must be submitted by email, along with their passport biodata page and travel itinerary, at least three days before departure to any Malaysian embassy. Upon receiving travel authorisation, they must complete the LoU and obtain a Letter of Approval (Entry Permit) from a Malaysian mission abroad.

shunstudent

Students must register with Education Ministry or Higher Education Ministry

As of 2020, international students with existing student visas can return to Malaysia, but new international students are blocked from entering. All incoming international students must register with Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) and undergo health screening and a 14-day quarantine at designated stations before being allowed into the country. Students must bear the costs of the quarantine.

To enter Malaysia, international students must obtain travel authorisation from the Director-General of the Malaysian Immigration Department by applying through EMGS. Students must then download and complete a Letter of Undertaking (LoU) and Indemnity for Person Under Surveillance. They must also obtain a Letter of Approval (Entry Permit) from an accredited Malaysian Mission abroad.

International students must register with either the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) or the Ministry of Education (MOE), depending on their course and institution. MOHE is responsible for overseeing tertiary education in Malaysia, while the MOE is responsible for the public education system for secondary school students. International schools in Malaysia follow various curricula, such as the Cambridge International Curriculum (UK) and the IB Curriculum (Switzerland).

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) supports the efforts of both the MOHE and the MOE in making Malaysia a regional centre for educational excellence. MOHA processes applications for international student intake based on specific criteria, including the registration and validity of the educational institution. Educational institutions must obtain approval from MOHA to recruit international students.

International Students: Buying US Homes?

You may want to see also

shunstudent

Students must undergo a PCR test or antibody rapid test before arrival

International students in Malaysia who were outside the country during the Movement Control Order (MCO) from 1 February 2020 onwards and those with valid student visas can return to Malaysia to resume their studies. However, they must undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or antibody rapid test in their home country before their arrival in Malaysia. The test must be taken within three days of their entry into Malaysia to ensure that they test negative for COVID-19.

Students must register with Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) and obtain Travel Authorisation from the Director-General of the Malaysian Immigration Department. They must then download and complete a Letter of Undertaking (LoU) and Indemnity for Person Under Surveillance. This must be submitted by email at least three days before departure to any Malaysian embassy office abroad, along with their passport biodata page and flight or travel itinerary. Upon approval, the Malaysian Embassy will issue a Travel Notice (TN), which must be produced at the point of departure.

Students must also obtain a Letter of Approval (Entry Permit) from an accredited Malaysian Mission abroad and download the MySejahtera app before leaving their country, filling in the required information such as flight details and health declaration.

Upon arrival in Malaysia, international students must undergo a 14-day quarantine at designated stations set by the government of Malaysia, bearing the costs themselves. The quarantine period may be extended based on the Ministry of Health's determination.

shunstudent

Students must quarantine for 14 days at their own expense

International students in Malaysia with existing student visas can return to the country, but they will have to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at their own expense. This rule applies to all international students travelling to Malaysia by air, sea or land. The quarantine period and accommodation are designated by the Malaysian government, and students are not allowed to choose the Quarantine Centre. The cost of the quarantine is RM150 per day, payable at the point of check-in, with credit card payments being encouraged. Students must also bear the costs of any family members travelling with them.

Before leaving their home country, students must download the MySejahtera app and fill out the required information, including flight details and a health declaration. They must also undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or antibody rapid test to ensure that they test negative for COVID-19.

To enter Malaysia, students must register with Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) and obtain Travel Authorisation from the Director-General of the Malaysian Immigration Department. They must then download and complete a Letter of Undertaking (LoU) and Indemnity for Person Under Surveillance, as well as obtain a Letter of Approval (Entry Permit) from a Malaysian Mission abroad.

It is important to note that new international student enrolments are currently on hold in Malaysia, and only students with valid study visas or those whose visas expired after 1 February 2020 can enter the country. This decision was made to curb the spread of COVID-19 but has raised concerns among higher education providers about its impact on the sector.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, international students with existing student visas can return to Malaysia. However, they must meet several conditions, including registering with the Education Ministry or Higher Education Ministry for reference at the airports.

International students must register with Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) and obtain Travel Authorisation from the Director-General of the Malaysian Immigration Department. They must also undergo a PCR test or antibody rapid test in their home country three days before entering Malaysia. Upon receiving Travel Authorisation, students must download and complete a Letter of Undertaking (LoU) and submit it to a Malaysian embassy office abroad at least three days before departure.

Yes, international students must undergo a 14-day quarantine at designated stations set by the Malaysian government. The cost of the quarantine is RM150 per day, and students must bear the costs.

No, new international student enrolments are on hold until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment