All students undertaking full-time studies in Malaysia are required to obtain a Student Pass (Visa). The process has been in transition from 2013 and changes are frequent. Please refer to the University website for the most current information.
Ministry of Higher Education and the Malaysian Immigration Department has agreed to issue new Student Passes for the full duration of the course applied by international student (this subject to validity of passport at the point of submission to Visa Office).
For students issued for yearly Student Pass, you will have to continue renew on a yearly basis. Please visit the Visa Office to find out more about this process or read about it in the Returning Students section. You will also receive monthly email reminder from the Visa Office as part of our initiative.
All international students will not require to do pre-arrival medical examination based on the circular issued by Ministry of Higher Education. However, all international students MUST fill up and sign-off the ‘HEALTH DECLARATION FORM’ and submit to Visa Office for VAL application.
As such, student will be only doing post-arrival medical examination after arriving campus. Any student fail in their post-medical will have to return back to their home country and the university will not be responsible for any cost incurred.
You are allowed to appeal your post-medical once but it is subject to the approval by EMGS.
Incoming international students will have the option of applying for their Visa Approval Letter (VAL) through the following methods:
Option A is the recommended method. However, students who opt for Option B can contact the UNM Visa Office if any assistance is required.
Inter-campus exchange and transfer students may refer to this section to understand the visa application process. Contact your International Office /Study Abroad Office in your respecitive Universities for further assistance.
Current students must renew their visa at least 3 months before their current student pass expires - refer to monthly email reminder sent by Visa Office.
Also read more about what to do if you lose your passport.
Students facing one of the circumstances below may have to submit additional documents and undergo a slightly different process of VAL application:
- Students transferring from another institution in Malaysia.
- Students progressing to a higher level of study (e.g. Foundation to Bachelor's, Bachelor's to Masters, Masters to PhD).
- Valif employment pass/ work permit holders wish to study 'Part-time' while working in Malaysia.
- Overstaying on your student pass.
- Bringing your family to Malaysia with you through a dependent pass.
Read about the health check required by the Immigration for your Visa Approval Letter application, and about the insurance that is provided with your Student Pass.
International students given student pass for full duration of studies must renew their medical insurance on yearly basis during i-Kad renewal. It is a must that all international student should hold a valid insurance during the course of their study.
UNM Visa Office
The UNM Visa Office is the University's in-house provider of Student Pass assistance to international students. All international students should make contact with the UNM Visa Office during the visa application process or other related visa matters.
Email: Apply.Visa@nottingham.edu.my (new students) or visarenewal@nottingham.edu.my (returning students)
Phone: +603 8725 3705/ 8078/ 3706/ 3709
Hotline: +603 8725 3715
What is a VAL?
The Visa Approval Letter or VAL is a letter issued by the Malaysian Immigration Department when your visa application is successful.
Students from some countries will be able to enter Malaysia with a VAL while citizens of other countries may need to apply for a Single Entry Visa (SEV) from the nearest Malaysian Embassy/Mission.
What is an SEV?
A Single Entry Visa or SEV is an entry visa for non-residents entering Malaysia with the intention of studying. The SEV is obtained after the VAL has been approved.
See if you are required to obtain an SEV prior to arrival by referring to the Immigration Department's lists of countries.
EMGS
Education Malaysia Global Services or EMGS are the private body appointed by the Ministry of Higher Education to process all international student applications for Visa Approval Letter (VAL) UNM will submit your VAL application to EMGS, once it is supported, Immigration Departmant shall approve and issued your VAL.
For more information on EMGS, you can visit the EMGS website.
Immigration Department
The Immigration Department of Malaysia is the body that approves, rejects and issues for VAL's and the Student Pass endorsement.
For more information o the Immigration Department, you can visit the official Immigration Department of Malaysia Student Pass Website.