UPDATE ON THE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES ON THE ENTRY OF NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO STUDY AT PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

1.     PURPOSE
1.1     The Government of Malaysia had previously agreed to allow the entry of international students effective from 1st January 2021. However, this directive does not apply to international students from the following countries due to the travel ban imposed by the Government of Malaysia: –

• United Kingdom
• India
• Bangladesh
• Pakistan
• Nepal
• Sri Lanka

1.2     The admission of new international students is also applied to Private Educational Institutions that are registered with the Ministry of Education (MoE) in the central category such as Language Centres, Training Centres and Skill Centres. 

1.3     To facilitate the entry of new International Students, the Ministry of Education has issued a circular (Ref: KPM.800-1/3/7 (32)) dated 11th May 2021 highlighting the guidelines that must be adhered to by all Private Educational Institutions that are involved in managing the admission of new international students. This guideline is also subject to the directives issued by the Government of Malaysia and the Immigration Department of Malaysia from time to time.

1.4     The purpose of this guideline is intended to inform all Private Educational Institutions that are registered with the Ministry of Education (MoE) in the central category such as Language Centres, Training Centres and Skill Centres of the following: –

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the arrival of new international students
• The responsibilities of Private Educational Institutions in relation to the management of the new international students in their respective institutions
• The responsibilities of new international students who will pursue their education at Language Centres, Training Centres and Skill Centres

2.     IMPLEMENTATION
2a) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Pre-Arrival of International Students to Malaysia
2.1     Application for eVAL Approval
2.1.1       Private Education Institutions must ensure all applications for new international students are submitted through the EMGS STAR System.
2.1.2       Private Education Institutions must provide the ‘Declaration of Accommodation’ for all new international students prior to the application being submitted to Immigration Department of Malaysia for the e-Visa Approval Letter (eVAL). The reason for this declaration is to enable the health authorities to locate students in the event the need arises. The ‘Declaration of Accommodation’ form is available in EMGS STAR System through the ‘Downloadable Forms’ section.

2.2     Application for Travel Authorization
2.2.1       Once the Immigration Department of Malaysia has approved the eVAL, the eVAL and the Travel Authorization will be auto-generated and made available for download through EMGS website. The Travel Authorization can be downloaded from the following link below:-
https://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my/emgs/application/searchForm/

2.3     Preparation Required by New International Students
2.3.1       Students are required to undergo the RT-PCR COVID-19 Test three (3) days before travelling to Malaysia. The RT-PCR COVID-19 test result must be translated in ENGLISH so that the respective authorities in Malaysia can inspect it.
2.3.2   Students to complete the online payment for the quarantine and the COVID-19 Screening Test through MySafe Travel (www.safetravel.myeg.com.my) / MyQr application by MyEG (www.myeg.gov.my)  and provide the payment slip at the international entry point upon arrival.
2.3.3       Students are required to download the MySejahtera app from the iOS App Store, Google Play Store or Huawei AppGallery to complete all the required information three (3) days prior to the arrival date.

2.4     Responsibility of Education Institutions
2.4.1       Education Institutions must conduct screening on qualifications for new international students in accordance with the entry requirements that has been approved by the Ministry of Education (MoE) for each program/courses offered.
2.4.2       Education Institutions must provide accommodation facilities to new international students for an appropriate period by declaring their accommodation as stipulated in the procedural guidelines issued by EMGS.
2.4.3       Education Institutions should remind students to comply with the preparatory instructions that are required before arriving at the international entry point in Malaysia.

2b) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Upon Arrival of International Students to Malaysia
2.5     Responsibility of International Students
2.5.1       Students will only be allowed to enter Malaysia via KLIA and KLIA 2 entry points. International Students that attempt to enter Malaysia from other entry points will be denied entry and may risk being deported to their country of origin.
2.5.2       Students must furnish their RT-PCR COVID-19 test result at the entry point.
2.5.3       Students are required to comply with the mandatory quarantine for seven (7), ten (10) or fourteen (14) days upon arrival to Malaysia before continuing their studies. This is subject to them furnishing their RT-PCR COVID-19 test results at the international arrival gate. International students that are not able to provide RT-PCR COVID-19 test results or if the test results are not valid/acceptable by Ministry of Health, the students will be subjected to a quarantine period of ten (10) or fourteen (14) days subject to the decision taken by the relevant authorities.
2.5.4       All students arriving from the following countries are required to undergo 14 days quarantine upon their arrival in Malaysia.

2.5.5       Kindly note that all fees imposed by the Government of Malaysia including the COVID-19 detection test, quarantine cost, and hospital admittance fee (if required) must be borne by the student.

During the mandatory quarantine period, students will be required to undergo COVID-19 screening test from time to time.

2.5.7       Once the quarantine period is completed, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will issue students with a Release Order.

2.6     Responsibility of Education Institutions
2.6.1       Education Institutions must manage the arrival of international students by ensuring the following: –

• To receive the students from their respective quarantine station and they will be required to use the Release Order for the purpose of inter-district/interstate travel.
• Manage inter-district/interstate travel permits (if applicable) in accordance with procedures set by the National Security Council (NSC).
• Manage students’ accommodation as specified in the ‘Declaration of Accommodation’.
• Students must undergo the mandatory health screening within seven (7) days at EMGS panel clinics upon obtaining the Release Order once completing the mandatory quarantine period.
• Students must have valid insurance coverage procured through EMGS.
• To submit necessary application to apply for valid student pass through respective immigration offices within the given time frame.

2c) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Post-Arrival of International Students to Malaysia

2.7     Responsibility of International Students
2.7.1       Students must follow the learning sessions as instructed by their respective education institutions.
2.7.2       Comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE), National Security Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) for on and off the premises of the education institutions.
2.7.3       Report to education institutions if there are any issues that arise during the learning sessions. 

2.8     Responsibility of Education Institutions
2.8.1       Provide accommodation facilities to new international students throughout their period of study.
2.8.2       Ensure the students follow the learning sessions based on the schedule set by the education institution.
2.8.3       Ensure on the presence or whereabouts of their students who are holding valid student pass under their respective education institutions.
2.8.4       To monitor their students and take appropriate action on students who violate any instructions set by the Ministry of Education or internal instructions of the respective education institutions.
2.8.5       To provide report on international student data periodically in accordance with regulations set by the Ministry of Education.
2.8.6       To apply for check-out memo for those students that have completed their period of study in accordance with the procedures set by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.


Education Malaysia Global Services
20th May 2021