If you are travelling to Malaysia you must fulfil the following general requirements:

Possess a valid passport or travel document which is valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Malaysia. If you intend to stay for a longer term, say as a student, it is advisable that the passport be valid for the period that you intend to stay.

When you enter Malaysia, you are required to present the passport and duly completed arrival/departure card to an immigration officer at point of entry. This card can be obtained at any entry point, the airline or travel agents. One portion of the card is returned to the visitor to keep and surrender when leaving Malaysia.

(Since January 2008, the Malaysian Immigration Department waived the requirement to fill the arrival/departure card for foreigners. However, with effect from 15 August 2008, the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs has reinstated this requirement)

If you are visiting Malaysia for social purposes such for leisure, visiting relatives or to attend meetings, a Social Visit Pass (Visa) will be issued to Maldivians on arrival if you fulfil the criteria below:

• Possess a valid passport or travel document as mentioned above
• Have proof of financial ability to stay in Malaysia
• Have a confirmed return ticket to another destination
• Complete the arrival/departure card
• You are not a ‘prohibited person’ under Section 8 of Malaysian Immigration Act

Any Maldivian student who wishes to study in Malaysia is required to obtain a Student Pass prior to entering Malaysia (see box for guidelines). The Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education provides the following steps for foreign students intending to study in Malaysia.

STEP 1: Submit application form for study together with relevant documents to the intended education institutions approved by Malaysian Home Ministry.

STEP 2: Student application is accepted by the education institution which will then help to apply for student pass at the Malaysian Immigration Department in Malaysia.

STEP 3: Upon acceptance, letter of approval for student pass will be released by the Malaysian Immigration Department to the educational institution for them to pass on to the student.

STEP 4: Student informs the educational institution of his or her arrival details before leaving the country.

STEP 5: Upon arrival at the airport in Malaysia, the educational institution’s representative will receive the student at the immigration check-point.

STEP 6: Within 2 weeks of student’s arrival, the educational institution will submit the student’s passport to the Immigration Department to affix student pass sticker.
 
You are strongly advised to do the following before you travel to Malaysia with the intention to study:

• Obtain a copy of the Acceptance Letter from your Educational Institution
• Obtain Student Pass Approval Letter issued by the Malaysian Immigration Department through your Education Institution.
• Ensure that you inform your college your arrival details so that a college representative can meet you at the airport. (We advise you to obtain the contact details of the representative prior to departure)

Malaysian Immigration Department states that only immediate families of students who are pursuing Post-Graduate courses will be considered for Social Visit Pass depending on the validity of the respective Student Pass. For other students’ immediate family members, visa is subject to approval of the Immigration Department and is determined on a case-by-case basis.

If you provide the necessary supporting documents, the High Commission can issue a supporting letter to the Immigration Department stating your bona fide status as a student, and authenticating your relationship with your spouse, children or parents. (See Authentication Services)

If you intend to work in Malaysia you must obtain an Employment Pass. Information about Employment Pass can be found on Malaysian Immigration Department website www.imi.gov.my

If you intend to stay in Malaysia under the Malaysia My Second Home Program (MM2H), visit the MM2H website www.mm2h.gov.my for information.