Malaysia · Student
Malaysia Student pass
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Student pass is a student route for Malaysia. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Government fees
- MYR 60 ≈ $15 · MYR 90 ≈ $22
Cost, time and long term
Government feesMYR 60 ≈ $15 · MYR 90 ≈ $22
- MYR 60 (≈ $15)Student Pass fee.
- MYR 90 (≈ $22)Social Visit Pass for dependants or guardians of Student Pass holders.
RenewalRenewable
New and renewal applications are made by your school or institution and follow the approved course.
Where to applyFrom abroad
Higher education applicants must be outside Malaysia when applying.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Applications are made from outside Malaysia, not after arriving
- Needs a place at a school or university in Malaysia
- Work rights are limited
What you'll need
Who can apply6
- The student is admitted to a public university.
- Admission to a private higher education institution approved by the Ministry of Higher Education also qualifies.
- The private institution must be authorised by the Ministry of Home Affairs to enrol international students.
- Admission to an approved language, training or skills centre also qualifies.
- Master's and PhD students may bring dependants.
- Language, training and skills centre students may not bring dependants.
What you must show and pay2
- A fee of MYR 60 (≈ $15) · Student Pass fee.
- A fee of MYR 90 (≈ $22) · Social Visit Pass for dependants or guardians of Student Pass holders.
Documents2
- The passport is valid for at least 18 months.
- Health insurance for at least 12 months is required.
Steps5
- Higher education applicants must be outside Malaysia when applying.
- EMGS screens the application and issues the Approval to Study letter before Immigration eVAL approval.
- A Single Entry Visa follows where required.
- On arrival the student completes a medical examination within 7 days.
- The institution then applies for the Student Pass endorsement.
What happens at day 182
How Malaysia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Tax residence
- At least 182 days in a calendar yearResident for tax in Malaysia if present 182 days or more in the year; linked-year and 90-day tests also exist.
- At least 182 days in a basis year (calendar year)Presence in Malaysia of 182 days or more makes an individual resident; fewer than 182 days generally means non-resident.
- Foreign-source income
Foreign-source income exempt
Resident individuals are exempt from tax on foreign-source income received in Malaysia from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036, except income from partnership businesses.
- Special regime
Exemption for foreign-source income received by resident individuals · Tax relief
All tax rules for Malaysia Tax records checked
Full official text
Immigration pass for non-citizen students aged 3 and over at approved Malaysian schools, language and training centres and public or private higher education institutions. 1
What you must show and pay
- A fee of MYR 60 (≈ $15) · Student Pass fee. 1
- A fee of MYR 90 (≈ $22) · Social Visit Pass for dependants or guardians of Student Pass holders. 1
Requirements
- The student is admitted to a public university. 1
- Admission to a private higher education institution approved by the Ministry of Higher Education also qualifies. 1
- The private institution must be authorised by the Ministry of Home Affairs to enrol international students. 1
- Admission to an approved language, training or skills centre also qualifies. 1
- Master's and PhD students may bring dependants. 1
- Language, training and skills centre students may not bring dependants. 1
- The passport is valid for at least 18 months. 1
- Health insurance for at least 12 months is required. 1
- Higher education applicants must be outside Malaysia when applying. 1
- EMGS screens the application and issues the Approval to Study letter before Immigration eVAL approval. 1
- A Single Entry Visa follows where required. 1
- On arrival the student completes a medical examination within 7 days. 1
- The institution then applies for the Student Pass endorsement. 1
Stay
- Pass follows the approved course of study; new and renewal applications are made by the institution or school.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Open to all nationalities; visa requirements apply by country.
Work
Students at public universities and private higher education institutions may work part-time up to 20 hours a week at approved locations with Immigration approval; language and training centre students may not.
Family
Master's and PhD students may bring a spouse, children under 18 (biological, step or adopted), disabled children of any age, biological parents and parents-in-law; dependants may not work.
Official sources
- Student Pass management and categories · Immigration Department of Malaysia · checked 2026-10-10
Student pass and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student pass | – | – | Limited |
| Study visa (ED) Thailand | – | 3 mo, renewable | No |
| Student visa Japan | – | 4.3 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Student visa · Non-formal Indonesia | – | 4 yr, renewable | No |
| Student visa United Arab Emirates | – | – | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Student pass?
A fee of MYR 60 (≈ $15). Student Pass fee. A fee of MYR 90 (≈ $22). Social Visit Pass for dependants or guardians of Student Pass holders.
How long can I stay on the Student pass?
Pass follows the approved course of study; new and renewal applications are made by the institution or school.
Can I work on the Student pass?
Limited. Students at public universities and private higher education institutions may work part-time up to 20 hours a week at approved locations with Immigration approval; language and training centre students may not.
Can I bring my family on the Student pass?
Master's and PhD students may bring a spouse, children under 18 (biological, step or adopted), disabled children of any age, biological parents and parents-in-law; dependants may not work.
Is there a tax break for Student pass holders in Malaysia?
Malaysia: exemption for foreign-source income received by resident individuals (1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036): Resident individuals are exempt from tax on foreign-source income received in Malaysia from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036, except income from partnership businesses. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Malaysia: exemption for foreign-source income received by resident individuals (1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036)
Tax relief
Details
Resident individuals are exempt from tax on foreign-source income received in Malaysia from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036, except income from partnership businesses. Income from work performed in Malaysia is taxed at normal resident rates.
Taxed on
Foreign-source income received in Malaysia by an individual tax resident; Malaysian-source income (including pay for work exercised in Malaysia) is taxed under normal resident rates.
Who it applies to
- The individual is a Malaysian tax resident for the basis year, normally present 182 days or more.
- The income arises outside Malaysia and is received in Malaysia by the individual.
- The income is not partnership business income.
Exclusions
- Income from work exercised in Malaysia is Malaysian-source whoever pays it and is taxed under the resident scale rates.
- Partnership business income is outside the individual exemption.
Days in the country
- At least 182 days in calendar year · Resident for tax in Malaysia if present 182 days or more in the year; linked-year and 90-day tests also exist.
Tax residence
Residence follows physical presence of 182 days or more in the basis year; linked-year and 90-day tests also exist.
Visas
No visa grants this exemption; it applies to any tax-resident individual. MM2H separately states a tax exemption on foreign funds and income.
Other taxes
Sales and service tax, employee contributions and withholding tax are separate.
Checked against official sources on Change log
More in Malaysia
Study visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about this route AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 1 official source. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Student Pass management and categories · Immigration Department of Malaysia · checked 2026-10-10
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.