STRONG REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

The Malaysian Ministry of Education requires international students to have a National Health Insurance Card, Admission Certificate, and Student ID card before applying for a Visa in the country.

Considered to be one of the most developed countries in Southeast Asia, Malaysia has become an ideal destination for students to study in the region and in the world. At present, there are 95,000 international students studying here. As a result, the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education has decided to issue more stringent requirements for foreign students wishing to study in the country. Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, said the measures were to ensure that only international students came to Malaysia for reasons of real study and not for other reasons. "Before, a student could set foot in Malaysia before starting school at a certain institution." However, the current situation does not allow this phenomenon to happen again. Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, said the request included the requirement that all foreign students be required to have health insurance, a student ID card and a university-based admission certificate. When applying for Visa via EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services - Malaysia Education Commission). He added that international students should study Bahasa Malaysia in their first year of study so they can communicate with Malaysians. "All issues related to foreign students in the Immigration Department will now be resolved by the EMGS." He added that there are now 95,000 international students studying in the country. As such, EMGS, which is wholly owned by the ministry, will be the stopover point for enrollment of international students. The company will lead and link Malaysian higher education and promotion programs as well as programs for recruiting and supporting foreign students.