Immigration Rules And Regulations

  1. Immigration & Visas

    In line with Malaysia’s aspiration to become a Regional Education Hub and a Centre of Educational Excellence, the Immigration authorities have instituted a hassle-free entry procedure to welcome international students to study in Malaysia.

  2. Entry into Malaysia

    You will need to obtain an approval letter from the Malaysian Immigration Department prior to entering the country. Please check with the Malaysian Embassy/High Commission in your home country whether you need a visa to enter into Malaysia before you purchase the air ticket. If you do, please proceed to the nearest local Malaysian diplomatic mission (i.e., Malaysian Embassy/Consulate Office) and show them the approval letter in order to obtain your single-entry visa. Students are not allowed to enter Malaysia prior to the receipt of an approval letter from the Malaysian Immigration Department.

  3. Student Pass

    MPI will also apply for a Student Pass from the Malaysian Immigration Department. This may take about 6-8 weeks. We advise that all applications are submitted eight (8) weeks before the intake dates.

  4. Validity of Student Pass/ Visa

    The Student Pass/Visa is endorsed onto your passport. The endorsement indicates your visa type, the length of stay in Malaysia, the number of entries permitted and the validity of the Student Pass. It is mandatory for you to submit your passport to our International Student Officer two (2) months in advance of the expiry date in order for us to either extend or apply for your new Student Pass/Visa on your behalf.

    It is your responsibility to check the expiry date of your passport and have it extended at least six (6) months before it expires. Students who fail to submit their passport, or fail to inform our officer about their expiry dates would be considered as overstaying. Overstaying is considered a federal offence and therefore prosecutable by court. Punishment imposed will vary from prison sentence to caning followed by immediate deportation back to country of origin depending on the severity of the case. It is strongly encouraged for all international students to be alert and wary of their Student Pass expiry date in order to avoid this.

  5. Payment for Student Pass/Visa

    The Malaysian Immigration Department charges all students a fee of RM60-RM150 (depending on country) per year for student passes. Additionally, students who come from countries where entry visas into Malaysia are required will need to pay for an entry visa in Malaysia. The fees for entry visas vary – please check with the Malaysian Embassy in your home country for more information.

  6. Personal Bond

    All international students (except Diplomatic Pass holders, Permanent Residents, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) applicants, and students from the People’s Republic of China) are required to pay a Personal Bond, the amount of which is fixed by the Malaysian Immigration Department and varies from country to country.

    This amount is totally refundable upon completion of studies if the student has not violated the rules and regulations of the Malaysian Immigration Department.

  7. Transfer of Studies from other Institutions in Malaysia

    Provided that your current Student Pass is at least six (6) weeks from expiry, you may withdraw from your current institution and proceed with visa curtailment by the institution. Upon curtailment of your visa, you are normally given a Special Pass to allow time for you to transfer to MPI (the maximum will depend on your initial Student Pass expiry). You MUST request your current institution to provide MPI with a “Release Letter” upon curtailment of your current Student Pass, in order for us to commence application for a new / substituting Student Pass for you.

  8. Withdrawal/ Defer of Studies

    • If you intend to withdraw/defer from your studies, you must report to the International Student Office one month prior to leaving for your home country.
    • You are required to obtain an approval/release letter from MPI.
    • You must bring along a confirmed air ticket or an offer letter from a different college/university for a Student Pass cancellation.
    • Failure to comply with this procedure will necessitate MPI notifying the Immigrations Department and the Ministry of Education to cancel your Student Pass.
  9. Extension of Student Pass

    If you are planning to return to your home country during the semester break or holidays, you need to inform the International Student Office for advice on your next Student Pass renewal.

  10. Returning Home During Holidays

    An application for the extension of a Student Pass must be made at least two (2) months before the expiry date of the existing pass/visa. The application must include a photocopy of the passport, the original passport, and Immigrations fee for Student Pass (they are according to countries within the range of RM60–RM150) and advance tuition fee payment. It will take approximately 30 days to obtain renewal from the Immigration. Any penalty imposed by the Immigration Office for overstay or other penalties must be borne by the applicant.

  11. Immigration Requirements

    • You must satisfy programme requirements Mb>by attending 80% of all your scheduled classes and achieve satisfactory academic results. Failing to do so can result in your Student Pass being revoked.
    • Students who are absent from classes for three (3) consecutive days will be reported to the Malaysian Immigration Department. International students whose attendance are below the required percentage will be reported for non-attendance in accordance with Malaysian Government requirements and the Student Pass will not be renewed.
    • Attendance in class is compulsory at all times unless you are able to provide a Medical Certificate (MC) from a certified doctor. Consistent failure to do so will result in your Student Pass being revoked.
    • Two (2) weeks before completion of your education at Methodist Pilley Institute, you are required to inform the International Student Office so that your Student Pass can be cancelled or it might lead to forfeiture of the Personal Bond Deposit.
  12. Social/ Tourist Pass

    • It is illegal to study in Malaysia under a social / tourist pass.
    • Students who are absent from classes for three (3) consecutive days will be reported to the Malaysian Immigration Department. International students whose attendance are below the required percentage will be reported for non-attendance in accordance with Malaysian Government requirements and the Student Pass will not be renewed.
    • A Special Pass MAY BE granted at the discretion of the Director-General of Immigration or person acting on his behalf.
    • MPI strongly discourages the use of Social Visas to enter Malaysia before receiving your Visa Approval Letter. Please be reminded that as MPI cannot guarantee your application for Student Pass will be approved, it may place your studies at high risk.
  13. When you have a new passport

    • If you renew or change your passport for any reason, please transfer your Student Pass sticker from the old passport to the new passport immediately.
    • Your Student Pass will not be valid in the old passport.
    • You need to bring your old and new passports to the International Student Office to prepare the necessary documents for the sticker transfer.
    • There will be charges for a Single/Multiple entry visa based on the entry country.
  14. If you lose your passport

    In the event that you lose your passport, you need to do the following steps:

    • Lodge a police report. With the police report, proceed to your Embassy or High Commission to apply for a new passport.
    • Upon obtaining your new passport, proceed to the International Student Office with a copy of your police report and a letter from the Embassy as the support document to obtain your new Student Pass sticker for your new passport.