1.     PURPOSE

1.1     The Government of Malaysia had previously agreed to allow the entry of international students effective from 1^st January 2021. However, this directive does not apply to international students travelling from restricted countries. The list of restricted countries is subject to the latest circular by the Government of Malaysia.

1.2     The admission of new international students is now also applicable to International Accreditation Centres (IATC) that are registered with the Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran/Department of Skills Development (JPK/DSD), Ministry of Human Resources.

1.3     To facilitate the entry of International Students, JPK has issued a guidelines (Ref: JPK/700/62 Jld. 3 (10)) dated 28^th June 2021 highlighting the procedures that must be adhered to by all International Accreditation Centres that are involved in managing the admission of the 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 International Accreditation Centres that are registered with JPK of the following;

·       Standard operating procedures (SOP) for the arrival of new and existing international students to Accredited Centres;

·       Responsibilities of the Accredited Centres in managing new and existing student’s affair; and

·       Responsibilities of new and existing international students who will undergo skills training at Accredited Centres.

1.5     This guideline shall be read together with the National Skills Development Act 2006 [Act 652] and other regulations and guidelines currently in force as follows:

·       Implementation Guidelines and Accreditation Requirements for Accredited Centres under the Malaysian Skills Certification System Based on National Occupational Skills Standards;

·       Guidelines of Program Accreditation and Implementation of Skills Training Through Accreditation System under the Malaysian Skills Certification System – Single Tier Program Certification;

·       Guidelines and Conditions for the Implementation of the Malaysian Skills Certification System for In-Country International Students (Amendment September 2015);

·       Malaysian Skills Certification Accreditation Guidelines and Regulations – Assessment System ; and

·       National Skills Development (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2016

1.6     This procedure is applicable for both for new and existing student. The definition of the type of students can be described as below:

·                New international students referring to international students who have received offers to pursue their studies in Malaysia but still residing in their country of origin outside of Malaysia and consisting of two categories;

–        Students who have obtained the Visa Approval Letter (eVAL) but expired due to MCO.

–        Students who have submitted application for eVAL but are yet to be approved.

·                Existing international students referring to international students who are currently registered and undergoing skills training in Accredited Centres. However, the students are currently in their country of origin and consisting of two categories:

–        Students who have valid Student Pass but are stranded in their homeland due to border restriction and unable to enter Malaysia to continue their studies.

–        Existing Students who hold Student Pass expiring from 1^st February 2020 with the intention for renewal but unable to enter Malaysia due to border restrictions.

1.7     Accredited Centres must ensure that the certificate of the Ministry of Home Affairs is still valid for the purpose of enrolling new international students.

1.8     The Immigration Department of Malaysia will allow institutions to extend eVALs that have expired during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. Institutions must submit the application for eVAL Extension by creating an eVAL Amendment Form (Extension) through the EMGS STAR System. Documents that are required for the eVAL Extension are: –

          • Cover Letter from the Education Institution

          • Offer Letter

          • Deferment Letter (if applicable)

2.     IMPLEMENTATION

2a) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Pre-Arrival of International Students to Malaysia

2.1     New international students

·                Accredited Centre must submit a completed Visa Approval Letter (eVAL) application via STARS application provided by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS).

·                Accredited Centre is required to make a declaration of accommodation by downloading the form from the STARS application.

·                Once the Immigration Department of Malaysia has approved the eVAL, the eVAL and the Travel Authorization will be automatically generated and made available for download through EMGS Website (www.educationmalaysia.gov.my)

·                Students from countries that requires Single-Entry Visa (SEV) to enter Malaysia   are   required   to   submit   their   SEV application to the nearest Malaysian Mission office.

·                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 reputably translated into English language.

·                Students to complete the online payment for the quarantine and the Covid-19 Screening Test through MySafeTravel (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 at KLIA or KLIA2.

·                Students are required to download the MySejahtera application 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.

2.2     Existing international students

·                All existing students who intend to enter Malaysia must submit their Travel Authorization application through the EMGS      website (https://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my/guidelines/travelauthorisation-form-base.html). Once it is approved, Travel Authorization will be made available for download through EMGS Website (www.educationmalaysia.gov.my).

·                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 reputably translated into English language.

·                Students to complete the online payment for the quarantine and the Covid-19 Screening Test through MySafeTravel (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 at KLIA or KLIA2.

·                If their Student Pass has expired in the country of origin, the students must  obtain  an        SEV      at         the       Malaysian Representative Office before entering Malaysia (for countries that require visa to enter).

·                If their Student Pass has expired in the country of origin, the students must  obtain  an        SEV      at         the       Malaysian Representative Office before entering Malaysia (for countries that require visa to enter).

2.3     Responsibilities of Accredited Centres

·                Accredited Centres shall exercise qualification screening for international students in accordance with the entry pre- requisite by DSD and other additional terms and conditions by Accredited Centre for each program/course offered.

·                Accredited Centres shall provide accommodation facilities to new international students for an appropriate period by confirming accommodation in the procedures prescribed by EMGS; and

·                Accredited Centre shall remind students to comply with the preparatory instructions that need to be implemented before arriving at the international gateway in Malaysia.

2b) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Post Arrival For New and Existing International Students

2.4     Responsibility of International Students

·                International Students will only be allowed to enter Malaysia via KLIA and KLIA 2 entry points.

·                Students must provide the results of the COVID-19 screening test (RT-PCR) at the entrance.

·                Undergoing COVID-19 screening test (RT-PCR) at the entrance by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH).

·                Students are required to comply with the mandatory quarantine in accordance with the current instructions issued by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

·                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 international student.

·                During the quarantine period, students will be required to undergo the COVID-19 screening test set by MOH.

·                Undergo COVID-19 screening test (RT-PCR) before being allowed to leave the quarantine station.

·                Once the quarantine period is completed, NADMA will issue students with a Release Order.

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

2.5     Responsibility of International Students

·                Undergo the training sessions that have been set by Accredited Centre.

·                Adhere with standard operating procedures (SOP) by DSD, National Security Council (NSC) and MOH while inside and outside Accredited Centre.

·                Inform Accredited Centre if any issues arise during the training session.

2.6     Responsibility of Accredited Centres

Accredited Centres shall be responsible in managing the arrival of international students including the following affairs;

·                Manage the students who have obtained quarantine clearance by NADMA after the quarantine.

·                Manage inter-state   permits   (if   applicable)   in   accordance   with procedures by the NSC.

·                Ensure that new international students undergo health screening at clinics registered in EMGS within seven (7) days after quarantine release.

·                Ensure that the students have valid insurance coverage scheme through EMGS.

·                Submit application of student pass stickers to the respective state Immigration Department of Malaysian within the stipulated period.

·                Provide accommodation facilities to international students during the training period.

·                Ensure that students follow the learning sessions based on the training schedule accordingly.

·                Ensure the presence of students under their respective Accredited Centres.

·                Monitor the students and take appropriate action on students who violate any instructions or regulations by DSD or internal instructions of the respective Accredited Centres.

·                Report the status of international students in accordance with DSD’s recent guidelines.

·                Submit a check-out memo application for students who have completed or terminated training in accordance with the procedures by Immigration Department of Malaysian.