New students applying through the University

All international students must obtain a Student Pass (Visa) to study in Malaysia. Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) is a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLBG) under the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MoHE). EMGS acts as a one-stop centre mandated by MoHE to manage and facilitate all student pass applications.

The Immigration Department of Malaysia is the sole authority that approves, rejects, and issues Student Passes. Please note that the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) does not have the authority to approve or reject visa applications. New international students have two options for applying for their Visa Approval Letter (VAL):

Option A: Applying via the UNM Visa Office   Option B: Applying directly to EMGS

While Option A is the preferred and more streamlined method, students who choose Option B may still contact the UNM Visa Office for assistance if needed.

Visa application checklist

The following outlines the required documents for your VAL application. Failure to submit any of these documents will result in an incomplete application and may delay or prevent further processing. You are strongly advised to check your email regularly and respond promptly to any communication from the Visa Office.

All documents must be submitted via email to: apply.visa@nottingham.edu.my

Documents required for residents of all countries

• UNM Offer Letter - Conditional or Unconditional Offer Letter from UNM

• Passport-Sized Photograph - Digital copy of passport-sized photo with white background (35mm x 45mm). Refer to EMGS Photo Guidelines for details

• Student Passport Copy - Submit a clear, cover-to-cover coloured scan of your passport with the following guidelines:
  a) All Visa pages in the Passport (including Passport details page, empty pages and Observation pages)
  b) Passport must be valid for at least 18 months from your registration date, or for the entire course duration to qualify for full-duration Student Pass (3 years)
  c) Include Special Pass or Exit Stamp, if applicable
  d) Maximum 2 passport pages per A4 page

• Academic Qualifications - Complete academic certificates and transcripts, including English language proficiency (if applicable). Non-English documents must include a certified English translation alongside the original

• Health Requirements - Completed Health Declaration Form (compulsory)
  a) Students from countries at high risk for yellow fever (see WHO list) must submit a copy of the Yellow Fever vaccination card/booklet
  b) Students must attend post-arrival medical screening within 7 days of arrival in Malaysia at an EMGS-registered panel clinic.

• Visa Application Fee Payment Reciept - payable via the MyNottingham portal. This includes visa processing fee & Visa deposit fee.

• Student Declaration Form - Completed and signed copy of the Student Declaration Form

• Additional Documents (If Applicable) - Based on nationality
  a) No Objection Certificate/ NOC (for Sudanese students). The University apply for the NOC from the Sudanese embassy in Malaysia on your behalf. Any charges from the embassy will be borne by the student.
  b) Letter of Eligibility/ LoE (for Iranian and Omani students). The University will apply for the LOE on your behalf from the Iranian and Omani embassy in Malaysia). Any charges from the embassy will be borne by the student.
  c) Libyan students who wish to study in Malaysia are required to obtain a Letter of Eligibility (LoE) from the Academic Affairs of the Embassy of Libya-Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Students are advised to directly apply LoE with their embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
  d) For students from China, you are required to provide the online verification report of your academic certificate which can be obtained through the China Credentials Verification (CSSD) / Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC)  / Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange

eVAL receipt and SEV application

Once your application is approved by the Immigration Department of Malaysia, EMGS will issue your Electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL) and make it available via the EMGS Mobile Hub.

• Steps to Download eVAL:
  1. Install and Log in to the EMGS Mobile Hub after receiving notification of VAL approval.
  2. Activate Your Digital ID.
  3. Download and print your eVAL in colour.

• SEV (Single Entry Visa) Application:
  1. Check the Immigration Department’s list of countries to determine whether you're required to obtain an SEV.
  2. If SEV is required, visit your nearest Malaysian Embassy or Mission to apply.
  3. Alternatively, you may be eligible to apply for an eVISA online, depending on your country of origin and accessibility.

• Before Travelling to Malaysia:
  1. Ensure you have read and understood the KLIA Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) provided by the Visa Office.
  2. Once your SEV or eVISA is issued, you are legally allowed to enter Malaysia as a student.
  3. The SEV is typically valid for 30 days (one month), but may vary depending on your nationality.

• Upon Arrival at KLIA:
  1. Present the following to the Immigration Officer at the entry point:
       a) Your original passport
       b) Printed colour copy of your eVAL
       c) Your eVISA or SEV
  2. You will be issued a Special Pass by Immigration. Please refer to the KLIA SOP for detailed steps and guidance.

Make sure to refer to the email from International Student Support on how to correctly fill in your “Airport Arrival Form.”

Arriving in Malaysia and post-arrival procedures

Once you arrive in Malaysia, please follow the steps below to ensure a smooth transition and successful completion of your student visa process:

• At the Airport (KLIA):
  1. Present your eVAL, SEV/eVISA, along with your original passport, to the Immigration desk at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to obtain your entry stamp
  2. For issuance of your Special Pass, refer to procedures outlined by the Immigration Department or the KLIA SOP provided.

• Upon Arrival at Campus:
  1. You must report to the International Office and Visa Office on-campus on the next working day after your arrival.
  2. You will be given instructions to complete your post-arrival medical examination at a registered EMGS panel clinic.
• Post-Medical & Student Pass Endorsement:
  1. After successfully clearing your post-arrival medical checkup, you are required to submit your passport to the Visa Office for the Student Pass endorsement sticker.
  2. Passports can only be submitted once your medical report is cleared. You will be notified once your passport is endorsed and ready for collection.
• While Your Passport Is Being Processed:
  1. Do NOT make any travel plans while your passport is with EMGS or the Immigration Department.

Your eVAL, SEV, or eVISA is NOT your Student Pass. Students are responsible for completing the post-medical and visa endorsement process promptly. Failure to do so may result in additional costs, such as having to apply for a Special Pass.

Part-Time Work Guidelines for International Students

International students are not allowed to work part-time during the academic semester.

However, during official semester breaks, students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week, subject to Immigration Department of Malaysia regulations.

Approved Sectors for Part-Time Work:

• Petrol kiosks
• Restaurants
• Mini-markets
• Waiters (Food & Beverage only)

Application Process & Requirements:

To apply for part-time work permission, students must:

• Obtain an offer letter from the employer stating your position, salary, working hours, and workplace address.
• Provide a copy of the academic calendar.
• Submit your latest attendance record or academic transcript.
• Get a non-objection letter from your Head of School or Faculty.
• Be present during the submission to the Immigration Department (application will be submitted through the Visa Office).

Once approved, an endorsement (rubber stamp) will be placed in your passport. You may only begin working after this endorsement is issued.

Approval is entirely at the discretion of the Immigration Department.