Malaysia

Malaysia student visa guide

International students at Malaysian universities and colleges apply for a Student Pass through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), usually with help from the institution, while still outside Malaysia. Once the Immigration Department approves, you receive an electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL), and Nigerians must then also get a Single Entry Visa before travelling. After arrival you do a medical screening at an EMGS panel clinic and your Student Pass is endorsed in your passport.

Figures last reviewed 16 Oct 2026

Key facts

Malaysia

Visa: Student Pass with electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL)
Authority: Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) and the Immigration Department of Malaysia (opens in a new tab)
Main intakes: September or October, February or March, Other intake dates set by each institution
Planning wait: About 4 weeks
Living funds: No fixed amount. See the basis below.
Tuition counted in that figure: No, shown separately
Language: EMGS asks for an English language certificate to be uploaded with the Visa Approval Letter application. Accepted tests include MUET, IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, several Cambridge English exams and others. Without it, processing may be delayed and you may not get a pass for the full length of your course. Your institution sets the score you need.
Work while studying: Students at public universities and private higher education institutions may work part time for up to 20 hours a week, but only during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days. Each job needs prior approval from the Immigration Department, applied for through your institution, and only approved sectors such as restaurants, petrol stations, mini markets, hotels and campus jobs are allowed. Students at language centres cannot work.

Overview

Use the guide below as a planning reference, then check the official source before you pay anything or submit an application.

Sources checked on 16 Oct 2026

Tips from experience

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 18 months before you apply, because a short passport delays the pass.
Upload your English test result with the first application so your pass can cover the full course.
Start the Single Entry Visa as soon as the eVAL is issued, and confirm the current route with your institution.
Keep your yellow fever card in your hand luggage, because immigration may ask for it on arrival.
Do your medical screening in the first week and keep every receipt and report.
Treat all fees as indicative and confirm them on the EMGS schedule of fees before you pay.

Requirements and documents

Documents most applicants need are marked required. Others depend on your case or on what the office asks for. Build a printable checklist.

Valid passport Required
Valid for at least 18 months. Copies of the bio-data page, visa pages and observation page are needed.
Passport photograph Required
35mm x 45mm with a white background. EMGS has an online photo checker.
Offer letter Required
From your Malaysian university or college.
Health Declaration Form Required
Download it from the EMGS required documents page.
Academic certificates and transcripts Required
Copies of all previous academic records, such as WAEC or NECO results and degree transcripts.
English language certificate Required
Uploaded with the Visa Approval Letter application.
Personal bond Required
RM2,000 for Nigerians, paid through the institution. The form can be submitted after arrival.
Yellow fever vaccination card Required
Nigeria is on the EMGS list of countries at high risk of yellow fever, so you must show the card at immigration.
Electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL) Required
You can only enter Malaysia after it is issued.
Single Entry Visa Required
Needed by Nigerian nationals before travel.
Medical insurance Required
A Malaysian policy covering at least 12 months, bought through EMGS or your institution.
Post-arrival medical screening report Required
From an EMGS panel clinic within 7 working days of arrival.
Proof of funds or sponsor letter If asked
Not on the EMGS list, but some institutions ask for it. Check with your admissions office.

Fees

Indicative government fees for the Malaysia student visa
Fee	Amount
EMGS processing fee, new student (course over 6 months, up to 12 months)From the EMGS schedule of fees for institutions in Peninsular Malaysia, updated 23 June 2026. It is RM800 for a course of 6 months or less, and a renewal costs RM250. EMGS adds 8% service tax. Institutions in Sarawak have a separate table. Check the current schedule on the EMGS visa site.	MYR 1,600
eVAL processing feePlus 8% service tax, as stated on the EMGS schedule of fees.	MYR 150
Post-arrival medical screeningDone at an EMGS panel clinic after arrival. EMGS lists it as mandatory for private institutions and optional at public universities whose own clinic does the screening. Not needed for renewals.	MYR 340
Medical insurance, 12 months (lowest listed plan)Insurance bought in Malaysia is compulsory. EMGS lists plans from RM498 to RM644 a year, and your institution may offer other approved packages. Check the current plans on the EMGS insurance page.	MYR 498
iKad processing feeFrom the EMGS schedule of fees.	MYR 50
Student Pass sticker feeCharged for new passes and renewals, as listed by EMGS and the Immigration Department.	MYR 60
Multiple Entry Visa feeNigeria is not named on the EMGS Multiple Entry Visa fee table, so the RM20 rate for all other countries applies. The Single Entry Visa you need before travel is a separate fee paid on the Malaysia eVISA portal; check the current figure there.	MYR 20
Courier chargeFrom the EMGS schedule of fees.	MYR 10

Indicative government fees only. School fees, translations, tests, courier and service charges are extra.

Funds to show

Living funds: No fixed amount. See the basis below.
Basis: EMGS and the Immigration Department do not publish a set amount of living funds for a Student Pass, and bank statements are not on the EMGS list of required documents. Instead, a refundable personal bond is required, and the amount depends on nationality.
Tuition included: No, add your first year tuition

Personal bond: MYR 2,000

EMGS lists RM2,000 for Nigerian nationals. The bond is paid through your institution and refunded when you complete or withdraw from your studies, as long as you have not broken Malaysian immigration law. The bond form can be submitted after arrival for pass endorsement. Check the current EMGS personal bond table.

Your institution may still ask for proof that you can pay tuition and living costs, so ask the admissions office what it needs. Plan your own budget using the cost of living guide on the Education Malaysia website.

Calculate your total with tuition and dependants

Timeline

Typical decision time: The EMGS client charter is 14 working days for a complete application. Incomplete or incorrect documents add time, and Nigerians also need time for the Single Entry Visa after the eVAL is issued.
How early you can apply: You can apply as soon as you have accepted your offer of admission. You must be outside Malaysia when the application is submitted.
Latest sensible time to apply: Apply at least two to three months before your course starts so there is time for EMGS processing, the eVAL, the Single Entry Visa and travel. The eVAL is valid for six months from issue.

Plan dates back from your intake

How to apply for the Malaysia student visa

Get an offer from a Malaysian institution
Apply to a public university or private institution approved to take international students and accept the offer of admission. Check the course start date and the institution's visa support process.
Prepare your documents
Gather your passport (valid at least 18 months), a white background photo, your offer letter, academic certificates and transcripts, the Health Declaration Form and your English test result.
Submit the Student Pass application
You or your institution submit the application on the EMGS visa portal while you are outside Malaysia, and pay the processing fee. Track the status online.
Receive your eVAL
EMGS checks your file and sends it to the Immigration Department. If approved, an electronic Visa Approval Letter is issued, valid for six months.
Get your Single Entry Visa
Nigeria is on the EMGS list of countries that need a Single Entry Visa. The Immigration Department says to apply through the official eVISA portal after the eVAL is approved. EMGS also lists the Malaysian High Commission in Abuja for Nigeria, so confirm the current route with your institution.
Travel to Malaysia
Carry your passport, eVAL, Single Entry Visa, offer letter and yellow fever vaccination card. Tell your institution your arrival date so your insurance cover starts.
Do the medical screening
Attend a post-arrival medical screening at an EMGS panel clinic within 7 working days of arriving. If the result is unsatisfactory, you can appeal at the same clinic within 3 days of being told.
Get your Student Pass endorsed
Submit your passport and personal bond through your institution. The Immigration Department endorses the Student Pass and you receive your iKad.

Work rights and after study

While you study

Students at public universities and private higher education institutions may work part time for up to 20 hours a week, but only during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days. Each job needs prior approval from the Immigration Department, applied for through your institution, and only approved sectors such as restaurants, petrol stations, mini markets, hotels and campus jobs are allowed. Students at language centres cannot work.

After your course

Malaysia has a Graduate Pass that lets Bachelor's degree graduates and above stay for up to 12 months after graduation and work without employer sponsorship. However, it is open only to listed nationalities, and Nigeria is not on the EMGS list at the time of review. Other options include progressing to a higher level of study or getting an employment pass through an employer. Check the EMGS Graduate Pass page for changes.

Work and post study rules change often. Confirm them on the official source before you plan around them.

Common reasons for refusal

Documents were incomplete, unclear or inconsistent, for example a passport with less validity than required.
The academic qualifications did not meet the entry requirements for the course.
The applicant did not pass the security or travel document checks done by the Immigration Department.
The application was submitted while the applicant was already inside Malaysia.
The post-arrival medical screening was failed, which can lead to the student being asked to leave Malaysia.
The applicant did not complete the post-arrival steps in time, which stops the pass from being endorsed.

Refused before? Read what to do after a visa refusal.

Malaysia student visa FAQ

Do Nigerians need a visa to study in Malaysia?

Yes. After the eVAL is approved, Nigerian students need a Single Entry Visa before travelling. The Immigration Department says to apply through the official eVISA portal, and EMGS lists the Malaysian High Commission in Abuja for Nigeria. Check with your institution for the current route.

How much is the personal bond for Nigerian students?

EMGS lists RM2,000 for Nigerian nationals. It is refunded when you finish or withdraw from your studies, as long as you have kept to Malaysian immigration law.

How long does the Malaysian student visa take?

The EMGS client charter is 14 working days for a complete application. Add time for the Single Entry Visa and travel, and apply early.

Can I work while studying in Malaysia?

Only during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days, for up to 20 hours a week, in approved sectors and with prior approval from the Immigration Department through your institution.

Do I need to show a bank statement?

EMGS does not list bank statements as a required document for the Student Pass, but your institution may ask for proof of funds. Plan to cover tuition and living costs for your whole course.

Can I stay in Malaysia after graduating?

The Graduate Pass allows up to 12 months after a Bachelor's degree or higher, but only for listed nationalities, and Nigeria is not on the list at the time of review. Check the EMGS Graduate Pass page for updates.

Tools for your Malaysia plan

Other destinations

Applying to Malaysia?

An adviser can check your documents, funds and timeline against the Malaysia rules and tell you what to fix before you apply.

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