VISA & Immigration Regulation

PRE-ARRIVAL VISA
(Visa Approval Letter VAL)
With effect from 1st April 2015, all Pre-Arrival Visa (VAL) applications must go through Education Malaysia
Global Services (EMGS) prior to submission to Malaysia Immigration Department. Therefore, the revised
fee of VAL/VDR application is as stated below:
AMOUNT TO PAY:
RM 1,400.00 (MALAYSIA RINGGIT: ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED)
PAYMENT METHOD
STEP 1: Do the transaction at any bank (foreign bank) which offers the service of Electronic Transfer
Funds.
STEP 2: Scan and send the receipt/transaction slip to ______________
* payment should be in current rate of Malaysian Ringgit.
Information that may be required by the bank:

Bank Swift Code

Bank Name

: MBBEMYKLXX
: Malayan Banking Berhad (MayBank)
Lot 1.01, Ampang Park Jalan Ampang,
Bank Address
:
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Account Holder
: EMGS Escrow Account 1
Account Number
: 514057662341
*Refer to the bank procedure
*Please bring the original receipt during registration
Important Notes:
1.
2.

VDR/VAL upon approval will be emailed in order to get Single Entry Visa (S.E.V.) stamp in your passport
from the nearest Malaysia Embassy/ Consulate Office.
The VDR/VAL approval will take approximately ONE (1) to THREE (3) months to be approved except for
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China which will take longer.
DO NOT PURCHASE YOUR FLIGHT TICKET until you have obtained the VDR/VAL approval.
The Immigration Law of Malaysia does not allow foreigners to enter Malaysia on a Social Visit Pass (S.V.P.) to
apply later for Students Pass. IIUM will not be responsible or liable directly or indirectly, in any way for the
misuse of the Social Visit Pass (S.V.P.).

HOW TO APPLY PRE-ARRIVAL VISA

(Visa With Referral VDR/ Visa Approval Letter VAL)
The VDR/VAL process will normally take ONE (1) to THREE (3) months before being approved by the
Immigration Department of Malaysia. Therefore, all supporting documents needed for VDR/VAL
application MUST be submitted to Office of International Affairs (IO) (email) immediately after receiving
the offer letter. The following documents are required for applying for the VDR/VAL:
1.
2.

Copy of passport (all passport pages) (MUST be valid for at least for 12 months. VDR application is not
processed if the validity of the passport is less than 12 month).
Copy of IIUM offer letter.
Copy of Medical Report (at country of origin). (Please download Medical Report Form here)
Passport size photograph (BLUE background ONLY) (refer to below note regarding

specification of photograph).
Copy/scan of academic certificate &academic transcripts.
Copy/scan the receipt/transaction slip (MYR1,400.00 by Electronic Transfer Fund)
Complete address of Embassy of Malaysia at home country (the nearest).

To track the status of VDR/VAL application, please go to Educational Malaysia Global Services (EMGS)
website http://educationmalaysia.gov.my/

VALIDITY OF PRE-ARRIVAL VISA

(Visa With Referral VDR/ Visa Approval Letter VAL)
Once the applicants have received the VDR/VAL Approval Letter, they MUST apply for the Single Entry
Visa (S.E.V) within 3 months from the date of the VDR/VAL Approval Letter at the nearest Malaysia
Embassy/High Commision (as stated in the approval letter). Candidates are required to enter Malaysia for
at least ONE (1) week before S.E.V expiry date.
If the candidates fail to obtain Single Entry Visa (S.E.V) from Malaysia Embassy/High Commision within 3
months from the date of the VDR/VAL Approval Letter, they have to request new VDR/VAL letter from
Office of International Affairs (IO), IIUM (email).
If the candidates fail to enter Malaysia within ONE (1) month after obtaining S.E.V, they have to re-apply
for a new application.

GETTING SINGLE ENTRY VISA (S.E.V)

Candidates who have received VDR/VAL Approval Letter must obtain Single Entry Visa (S.E.V) from
Malaysia Embassy/High Commision before entering Malaysia for the purpose of studying. However,
candidates from the following countries are NOT REQUIRED to obtain S.E.V from Malaysia Embassy/
High Commisioner of Malaysia:

Non S.E.V countries 49 countries

Antigua &
Bermuda

Grenada

Mauritius

St. Lucia

Vanuatu

Australia

Guyana

Namibia

St. Marino

Western
Samoa

Bahamas

Iraq

Naurutu

Barbados
Belize

Ireland
Jamaica

Botswana

Kenya

Netherland
New Zealand
Papua New
Guinea

Brunei

Kiribati Gilbert
ISL

Seychelles

Canada

Lesotho

Singapore

Dominica
Fiji
Gambia

Lienchestien
Malawi
Maldives

St. Vincent
Grenadine
Swaziland
Switzerland

Zaire
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Tanzania
Tonga

Trinidad &
Tobago
Solomon Island Tuvalu
South Africa
Uganda
St. Kitts & Nevis United Kingdom

Countries without Malaysian embassy

To obtain the Single Entry Visa (S.E.V), applicants need to apply at the nearest Malaysia Embassy
office/High Commision. The following documents are required for application of S.E.V:
1.
2.

VDR/VAL Approval Letter

Copy of IIUM offer letter.
Original passports book (Single Entry Visa will be stamped on the students passport) and etc.

Afghanistan
Al Salvador
Albania
Angola
Armenia
Azerbaijan

Chad
Colombia
Comoros
Congo Demo.
Rep
Congo Republic
Costa Rica

Greece
Guatemala
GuineaBissau

Macedonia
Madagascar
Mali

Slovakia
Slovenia
Somali

Haiti

Mauritania

Somalia

Honduras
Iceland

Moldova
Monaco

Suriname
Tajikistan

Belarus
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso

Denmark
Djibouti
Equador
Equat. Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia

Ivory Coast
Kyrgystan
Kyrgyz Republic
Latvia
Liberia
Lithuania

Mongolia
Nicaragua
Niger
Norway
Palestine
Panama

Burundi

Ethiopia

Luxemborg

Paraguay

Cape Verde
Central African
Rep

Gabon

Macao

Georgia

Macao Sar

Portugal
Sao Tome &
Principle

Togo
Tunisia
United Nations
Upper Volta
Uruguay
Vatican City
Western
Sahara
Yugoslavia

Requirements for Photographs by Immigration Department of Malaysia

Please find below the photo guidelines for submitting a passport photo to EMGS. Kindly note that this is
important since the same picture will be used on the Immigration System as well as printed on the iKad.
Institutions will be requested to adhere to the guidelines below to avoid any delay in processing as well as
avoiding any untoward issues with law enforcement officials checking the i-card (iKad).

In colour and identical, not black and white.

Taken against a blue background.
Your photos must be professionally printed and 50 millimeters (mm) high x 35 mm Please do not use
photos that have been cut down from larger pictures. The image of the student from the crown of the
head to the chin must be between 34mm and 39mm high. In the examples below, the one on the left shows
the correct proportions. The image on the right shows incorrect proportions.

Free from reflection or glare on spectacles, the frames of which must not cover the eyes.
Free from shadows.
Digital enhancements or changes are not acceptable.
Taken with the eyes open and clearly visible (with no sunglasses or tinted spectacles, and\no hair across the

eyes) if possible.
We recommend photographs without spectacles to avoid the risk of rejection because of glare or

reflection.
With the subject facing forward, looking straight at the camera.
With a neutral expression with the mouth closed (no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows).
Of each person on their own (no objects such as dummies or toys, or other people visible).

Taken with nothing covering the face.

In sharp focus and clear.
Free from red eye.
Taken of the full head, without any covering unless worn for religious or medical reasons. Make sure the

facial features are clearly visible, from the bottom of the chin to the crown of the head.
Printed professionally or taken in a passport photo booth. Photos printed at home are unlikely to be of an

acceptable standard.
Have the persons full name on the back of each photograph (when submitted manually).

We will assist successful international applicants to obtain a Student Pass. A Student Pass is an
endorsement in the passport constituting permission to stay for the approved duration.
International students are strongly advised NOT to enter Malaysia before the Student Pass is approved.
IMMIGRATION PROCEDURE
Non-Malaysian students who wishes to study in Malaysia are required to obtain Student Pass. A foreign student who
has been offered in International Islamic University Malaysia is required to apply through Office of International Affairs
(IO). IO also provides application for extension of passes for students and their liabilities.
Important Notes: Students are strongly advised not to directly make any application at the Malaysian Immigration
Department Office without going through the Office of International Affairs (IO), IIUM. This is to avoid any
complication of VISA application process between IO and the Malaysian Immigration Department Office.
Thank You.
Here are some notes you should understand.

NEW STUDENT PASS

The following documents are required:

A copy of students passport (Passport must be valid minimum 1 year)

A copy of Current Student Pass / Employment Pass**
A copy of IIUM Offer Letter (Certified by faculty / SPS)
2 passport-sized photograph (blue background)
A copy of latest Medical Payment Receipt from IIUM Health Centre
A copy of IIUM Metric Card
Exception for New Students from

Pakistan / India / Bangladesh / Sri Lanka / China /

/ Iran
The following documentsVietnam
are required:

2 sets of copies of students passport (all pages) (passport must be valid for
minimum 1 year)
A copy of IIUM Offer Letter (Certified by Faculty/SPS)
2 passport-sized photograph (blue background)

A copy of University/Bachelor Degree (for Masters student) or Master Degree

(for PhDs student)

**The current student pass/employment pass must be canceled/shortened

once registered as an IIUM student.
(ONLY application with COMPLETE DOCUMENTS as mentioned will be accepted and
processed.)