Visa & Immigration
Comprehensive guidance for international students on student pass requirements, visa applications, renewals, and immigration procedures to ensure full compliance with Malaysian regulations throughout your study journey.
Student Visa
A student visa is an official permit issued by a Malaysia government that allows international students to enter, stay, and pursue their studies at a recognized educational institution for a specified period of time.
- It is mandatory for every international student to have a student visa to study in Malaysia as it is a requirement under the laws and regulations of the Government of Malaysia
- All non-student visas need to be converted to a student visa before enrolling in programmes except the ones listed below:
- Diplomatic Pass Principal/Dependent: IMMIGRATION (EXEMPTION) ORDER 1963
- Malaysia Permanent Resident- Red IC holder
- Malaysian Work Permits Holder
- Permission to study stamp/letter is required for the non-passes listed above before enrolling into our programmes.
Visa Renewal
All International students must have valid visa to proceed with their study in UNITEN. International students will receive an automated reminder email three (3) months before their visa expiry date. Students MUST submit their visa renewal application through info365 immediately upon receiving this reminder email.
VISA RENEWAL PROCESS (Estimated 3 Months):
- Student Application
- Submit visa renewal application via Info365 (at least 3 months before expiry).
- IO Document Check
- International Office (IO) checks documents.
- IO requests Supporting Letter (SL) from the respective college (delays may occur during verification)
- Payment
- IO advises student on payment. Student provides proof of payment to submit to EMGS.
- EMGS Verification
- EMGS checks payment (delays may occur during verification).
EMGS may request additional documents if required.
- EMGS checks payment (delays may occur during verification).
- Passport submission
- Student submits passport at IO Counter 7, UNITEN Customer Centre (UCC).
- IO will notify for passport submission (application closes if passport not submitted within 90 days).
- IO submits passports to EMGS (3 times weekly: Monday, Wednesday, Friday).
- Visa Processing
- EMGS/Immigration processes student visa (14 working days, subject to delays if additional documents required).
- Passport Collection
- IO collects processed passports from EMGS.
- IO notifies students to collect passports at IO Counter 7, UCC.
Student collects their passport.
- iKad Collection
- iKad will be available about 1 month later.Student will receive an email notification to collect iKad.
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO RENEW STUDENT VISA ON TIME:
- Overstay Status – You will be considered as overstaying in Malaysia, which is a violation of immigration law.
- Special Pass Requirement – You must apply for a Special Pass to legalize your stay, and all related charges will be paid by you.
- Overstay Fines – Immigration has impose monetary penalties for overstaying.
- Risk of Blacklisting – Overstaying can lead to being blacklisted from re-entering Malaysia in the future.
- Academic Disruption – Your studies may be interrupted while resolving immigration issues.
- Deportation Risk – Severe or repeated violations can result in deportation.
Deferment
Deferment of the semester is a process where a student temporarily pauses their studies for one semester with approval from the university.
During this period, the student does not attend classes or take exams but remains officially enrolled and can continue their studies in the following semester after resuming.
- Students who decide to defer their semester are required to cancel their current visa and return to their home country
- Students need to submit deferment application from info365.
- If students defer for non-medical issues, they will have to cancel their current Student Pass and apply for a new one to register for the next semester.
- Students are advised to consult their Academic Advisor or Head of Department before proceeding with any deferment application.
Completion of studies
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Once an international student's status has been updated to Graduated, the student is required to cancel their student visa before leaving Malaysia.
To facilitate the visa cancellation process, students must submit the following documents to the International Office Counter 7, UNITEN Customer Centre (UCC) at least one (1) month prior to their intended departure date:
- Original passport
- Confirmed flight ticket
- Any additional documents requested by the International Office
Students may only exit Malaysia after the student visa cancellation process has been completed.
Change of Programme
- If an international student plan to change their programme. They are required to fill out the Request to Change Programme form at UNITEN International Office Counter 7.
- Once the change program has been approved, International Office will inform the student through email to apply new student visa for the new programme.
- Once the new VAL of the new program has completed, International Office will inform students through email to cancel their student visa for the current programme.
- Student will have to fill out visa cancellation form and submit all required documents mentioned in the form to International Office Counter 7.
- Once the cancellation completed, International Office will resubmit the student's passport and documents for new visa endorsement.
