Moving to a new country to study is exciting, and it is also a lot to organise. This guide brings everything together. Each section gives you the essentials and links to a more detailed guide where there is one.
Start here
If you are still deciding:
Once you have an offer:
Before you leave home
Use this checklist in the weeks before you travel:
- Passport: valid for well beyond your course dates.
- eVAL: your electronic Visa Approval Letter, plus a Single Entry Visa if your nationality needs one.
- Medical insurance, usually arranged through your institution.
- Somewhere to stay, at least for the first few nights. EMGS recommends sorting this out before you leave.
- Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC): complete it on the official Immigration Department website shortly before you fly. It is free, so ignore any website that asks you to pay.
- Copies of key documents: passport, eVAL, offer letter and academic certificates, saved digitally and printed.
- Enough money for your first few weeks. Large amounts of cash must be declared when you arrive, so avoid carrying more than you need.
- Regular medication: a letter from your doctor if you take any.
Your first weeks
- Arriving at KLIA: the EMGS International Student Arrival Centre (ISAC) helps new students before immigration and operates 24 hours.
- Medical screening: new students must be screened at an EMGS panel clinic within seven working days of arrival.
- Registration and orientation: register at your institution, attend orientation, and follow its instructions for getting your Student Pass endorsed in your passport.
- Phone and bank: get a local SIM card and ask your international office which banks they recommend for students. Requirements vary by bank.
- Meet people: join a club, a sports team or a faith or cultural society. Friendships make everything easier.
Getting around
In the Klang Valley (Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding area), the LRT, MRT, monorail, KTM trains and buses cover much of the city. E-hailing apps are widely used everywhere. Outside the Klang Valley, public transport is more limited, so living close to campus or to a bus route matters more. Our cost of living guide includes transport budgets.
Money
Malaysia’s currency is the ringgit (RM). Plan a realistic monthly budget, and remember that deposits for a rented room are paid upfront. Our cost of living and accommodation guides explain both.
Part-time work is tightly restricted for students, so do not rely on earnings to cover your basic costs. The visa guide explains the rules.
Health and insurance
Medical insurance is compulsory for all international students for the whole of their studies. Keep your insurance card or policy number with you, and find out which clinics and hospitals your plan covers. Your Student Pass renewal will also need insurance that covers the new period.
Culture and everyday life
Malaysia is home to Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous communities, each with its own languages, food and festivals. A few things help you settle in respectfully:
- Places of worship: dress modestly when visiting, and follow any posted guidance, such as removing your shoes.
- Festivals: expect public holidays and celebrations for several religions through the year. Join in when invited.
- Language: learning a few words of Bahasa Malaysia goes a long way, even though English is widely spoken in the cities.
- The law: Malaysia’s drug laws are very strict. Never carry a package through customs for someone else.
Wellbeing
Homesickness, culture shock and study pressure are common, especially in the first semester. Talking to someone helps:
- Your institution’s counselling service: most institutions have one.
- Befrienders KL: a free, confidential emotional support line available 24 hours a day on +603-7627 2929.
Staying safe
- Emergencies: call 999 for police, ambulance or fire.
- Scams: be wary of calls, messages or listings that pressure you to pay quickly. If you think you have been scammed, call the National Scam Response Centre on 997 as soon as possible and contact your bank.
- Housing: never pay rent or a deposit before you or someone you trust has seen the room. See our accommodation guide.
How AntsEducare can help
AntsEducare helps international students feel at home in Malaysia:
- Friendship across campuses through dinners, outings and camps.
- Language learning in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin.
- Coaching and mentoring.
- Sports, recreation and cultural immersion.
- GO>MORE, our volunteer programme for university students who want to serve refugee and stateless communities.
Questions? Contact us - we would love to hear from you.