Malaysia Student Visa from Bangladesh 2027

Overview

Malaysia is one of the most popular and affordable study destinations for Bangladeshi students. It is close to home, has a large Bangladeshi student community, relatively low tuition and living costs, and many branch campuses of UK and Australian universities such as Monash, Nottingham, Southampton, Heriot-Watt and Curtin alongside strong Malaysian public and private universities. Most degree programs at private institutions are taught fully in English.

Unlike many countries, you do not apply for a Malaysian student visa yourself at the High Commission. For higher education, your university or college submits the Student Pass application on your behalf to Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), the government agency that handles international student visas. After security, academic and health-declaration checks, EMGS issues an electronic Visa Approval Letter (eVAL). Because Bangladesh is a visa-required country, you then obtain a Single Entry Visa (SEV) through the official Malaysian eVISA portal, fly to Malaysia, complete a post-arrival medical check and have the Student Pass endorsed in your passport.

The Student Pass is usually issued for up to 12 months at a time and renewed each year through your institution until your course ends. You must stay enrolled full time, keep your health insurance active and maintain good attendance. Part-time work is allowed only in limited circumstances: up to 20 hours per week during semester breaks, with approval, in permitted sectors.

Bangladeshi students should plan carefully for life after graduation. Malaysia's Graduate Pass, which lets graduates stay for 12 months, is currently open only to a list of approved nationalities that does not include Bangladesh. Staying on to work usually means finding an employer who will sponsor an Employment Pass. Many Bangladeshi students choose Malaysia as a cost-effective degree, often through twinning or credit transfer to the UK or Australia, rather than as a migration route.

What's new for 2027

• No major changes to the Student Pass for the 2027 intake have been officially announced by EMGS or the Immigration Department at the time of checking. This guide is based on current rules, so re-check EMGS closer to applying.
• Fees in this guide follow the EMGS schedule of fees updated 13 November 2025 (for example RM 1,600 new-student processing for up to 12 months plus 8% service tax, RM 150 eVAL, RM 250 medical). EMGS revises its schedule from time to time, so confirm the current version before paying.
• The Graduate Pass remains limited to approved nationalities, and Bangladesh is not on the list at the time of checking. Watch for any expansion of the list before your 2027 graduation planning.
• Bangladeshi nationals still need a Single Entry Visa through the official eVISA portal after the eVAL, and security vetting can add time, so start the process for 2027 intakes early.
• Common 2027 intakes are January/February, May and September at private institutions and around February/March and September/October at public universities; confirm exact dates with your university.

Scholarships available in Malaysia

Malaysia has two national postgraduate scholarships that genuinely cover a Bangladeshi student: the Malaysia International Scholarship, which the Ministry of Higher Education runs for master’s and PhD study at 20 public universities plus UTP, UNITEN, MMU and INCEIF, and the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs runs for master’s study only. Below that sit university schemes that are usually partial tuition awards with limited places. Two traps: MARA is not an option at all, because every MARA scheme requires the applicant to be Bumiputera or a Malaysian citizen, and MyPTPTN is an education loan that you repay, not money you do not.

• Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) (Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)): Tuition fees plus a monthly living allowance. MOHE’s published MIS benefit is RM1,500 per month; travel is not covered, so confirm the current year’s allowance before you budget on it. The 2026 cycle ran 4 March – 3 April 2026; the next cycle is expected to run March – April 2027 (projected)
• Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) Scholarship (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia): Tuition fees paid to the university, a monthly allowance, and a one-time economy-class return flight. Visa application costs are on you. The 2026 cycle ran 4 May – 12 June 2026; the next cycle is expected to run May – June 2027 for a September or October 2027 intake (projected)
• INTI International Education Scholarship (INTI College): Up to 45% of Year 1 tuition fees, with a limited number of awards. Ongoing, with places awarded first-come-first-served and no late applications
• Asia Pacific University International Students Scholarship & Merit Award 2026 (Asia Pacific University (APU)): A tuition award in a separate stream for international students, with limited places and a merit component. Awards are allocated first-come-first-served; the Malaysian stream’s deadline was 31 October 2026
• YUTP Education Grant (Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)): Financial aid towards tuition for Foundation and undergraduate study. The January semester round ran 8 February – 8 April 2026; the next round is expected in the first half of 2027 (projected)
• UTP Graduate Assistantship (Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)): A graduate assistantship attached to doctoral study; no standard amount is published on the university’s financial aid page. Applications open with UTP’s intake, and the amount must be confirmed with the faculty
• Taylor’s University undergraduate scholarships (Taylor’s University): Intake-linked undergraduate awards, with the amounts set by each award rather than a single university-wide figure. Tied to the February, April, June, August and September intakes
• Heriot-Watt University Malaysia High Achiever’s Foundation Scholarship (Heriot-Watt University Malaysia): A tuition waiver of up to RM9,000, and a 10% family discount on tuition for the same award. Awarded alongside the college’s September, January, May and July intakes

Who can apply

• You must have an offer letter for a full-time program at a Malaysian public university or a private institution approved to enrol international students.
• For higher education, you must be outside Malaysia when the Student Pass application is submitted.
• Your passport should be valid for at least 18 months (ideally 12 months longer than your course).
• You must meet the academic entry requirements of your program (for example, SSC/O-Levels for foundation, HSC/A-Levels for bachelor's, a bachelor's for master's).
• You must meet the institution's English requirement, or be enrolled in an approved English course first.
• You must declare your health and pass the post-arrival medical screening at an EMGS-registered clinic.
• You must hold EMGS-approved medical insurance for the whole pass period.
• A personal bond must be lodged, usually through the institution; the amount depends on nationality and is generally refundable when you leave properly.
• You must have no serious criminal record and not be blacklisted by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

Requirements by study level

Intermediate / A Level

Bangladeshi students often take a foundation program (after SSC/O-Levels) or A-Levels / pre-university programs at Malaysian private colleges before a bachelor's degree. These usually go through EMGS like degree programs. International schools and government schools (for younger students) follow a separate Immigration and Ministry of Education process rather than EMGS.

• Foundation programs usually last about 12 months and lead directly into the same university's bachelor's degree; Cambridge A-Levels and similar pre-university programs usually take 15–18 months.
• Entry is normally based on SSC or O-Level results, with English often assessed through IELTS 4.5–5.5, an institutional test or an intensive English course.
• Students under 18 usually need a parent's consent and a local guardian or accommodation arrangement approved by the institution; check the college's under-18 policy before applying.
• School-age students at international or government schools can have a guardian (such as a parent) accompany them on a guardian social visit pass, with its own fee.
• Choose a foundation that is recognised by your target university and field, especially for medicine, engineering or law.
• Part-time work is generally not realistic for younger students; budget for full family support.

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor's degrees usually take 3–4 years (5 for medicine). Bangladeshi students can study at public universities or at private universities and foreign branch campuses, many of which offer UK or Australian degrees in Malaysia at much lower cost.

• Entry is typically based on HSC, A-Levels or a Malaysian foundation program, with subject requirements for STEM courses.
• English requirements are often around IELTS 5.5–6.0 (or MUET, TOEFL, PTE equivalents), higher for branch campuses and professional courses.
• Private university tuition is roughly RM 20,000–45,000 per year; public universities can be cheaper for international students.
• Twinning (2+1, 3+0) and credit-transfer programs let you finish in the UK or Australia or earn a foreign degree entirely in Malaysia.
• Your Student Pass is renewed every year through the institution, so maintain attendance and results.
• Check that the program is accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and recognised in Bangladesh.

Master's Degree

Master's degrees are offered by coursework (1–2 years), by research (usually 2 years) or in mixed mode. Public research universities are popular for research degrees and scholarships, while private universities focus on coursework programs such as MBA and IT.

• Coursework master's programs usually require a relevant bachelor's degree with CGPA around 2.5–3.0 out of 4, depending on the institution.
• Research master's applicants usually need a supervisor, a research proposal and sometimes an interview; graduate research assistantships may be available.
• English requirements are often around IELTS 5.5–6.5 or equivalent.
• Master's and PhD students may be able to bring dependants (spouse and children) on dependant passes, subject to financial evidence and separate fees; dependants cannot work.
• Tuition for a full master's program is often roughly RM 25,000–60,000 in total at many universities, with MBAs and branch campuses costing more.
• Plan beyond graduation carefully, as the Graduate Pass is not currently available to Bangladeshi nationals.

PhD / Doctorate

A PhD in Malaysia is entered through a university research programme with a supervisor, and Bangladeshi students usually have to win funding at the same time, because the Malaysia International Scholarship is the main route and it is a national competition closed in early April, long before the course starts.

• Most PhD places are at public research universities, and you normally need a research proposal plus an identified prospective supervisor before you apply; many programmes also interview you.
• PhD programmes normally start with Semester I in August or September, with Semester II in January or February as a second entry point, though many research groups only take new PhD students in the September round.
• The main funding route is the Malaysia International Scholarship, which covers full-time PhD by coursework or research at 20 public universities plus UTP, UNITEN, MMU and INCEIF, paying tuition fees plus a monthly living allowance; its call opens in March and closes in early April.
• MIS conditions are strict: no paid employment during the award, the research must be carried out in Malaysia, and you cannot hold another sponsorship at the same time.
• The MTCP scholarship is master’s only, so PhD applicants cannot use it, and university graduate assistantships such as UTP’s PhD-only assistantship can fund a place directly but publish no standard amount, so ask the faculty.
• Your Student Pass is renewed each year through your institution, so you must stay enrolled full time, keep your insurance active and maintain your attendance for the whole doctorate.

How to apply, step by step

1. Choose an approved institution and program: Pick a public university or a private institution approved for international students, and check MQA accreditation and recognition in Bangladesh.
2. Apply for admission: Submit your academic documents, passport and English results to the university and receive an offer letter.
3. Accept the offer and pay fees: Accept the offer and pay the EMGS processing, insurance and other fees through the institution, plus any tuition deposit.
4. Institution submits your application to EMGS: The university uploads your documents, photo, health declaration and personal bond to EMGS; you can track progress on the EMGS website.
5. EMGS and Immigration review: EMGS checks documents and the Immigration Department carries out security clearance; Bangladeshi applications may take longer at this stage.
6. Receive the eVAL: Download the electronic Visa Approval Letter once approved and check your personal details carefully.
7. Apply for the Single Entry Visa: As a Bangladeshi national, apply for the SEV through the official Malaysian eVISA portal using your eVAL.
8. Travel to Malaysia: Fly before the eVAL expires, carrying your eVAL, SEV, offer letter and documents; inform the university of your arrival for airport pickup.
9. Post-arrival medical screening: Complete the medical check at an EMGS-registered clinic, usually within 7 working days of arrival.
10. Student Pass endorsement: Submit your passport through the institution so the Student Pass sticker can be endorsed, and collect your iKad.

Document checklist

• Passport copy (Data page and all pages with visas or stamps; at least 18 months validity recommended.)
• Passport-size photograph (35mm x 45mm, white background, as required by EMGS.)
• Offer letter (From a public university or approved private institution.)
• Academic certificates and transcripts (SSC, HSC, O/A-Level or bachelor's documents, with English translations if needed.)
• English proficiency certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, MUET, Cambridge or other accepted test, if required by the program.)
• Health Declaration Form (Downloaded from EMGS and completed honestly.)
• Personal bond (Lodged with the institution; amount varies by nationality and is refundable when you leave properly.)
• Medical insurance (EMGS-approved package or institution-approved policy covering the full pass period.)
• EMGS and institution fee payments (Processing, eVAL, insurance and medical fees, usually paid through the institution or EMGS portal.)
• Bank statements (Recent statements (often the last 3 months) for you or your sponsor, if requested by the institution.)
• Sponsor letter and income documents (Parents' or sponsor's letter, income proof and relationship documents, if requested.)
• Pre-arrival medical report (Some institutions or campuses (for example in Sarawak) require a pre-VAL medical report from your home country.)
• eVAL (electronic Visa Approval Letter) (Issued by EMGS; print it and carry it when travelling.)
• Single Entry Visa (SEV) (Required for Bangladeshi nationals; obtained via the official Malaysian eVISA portal after the eVAL.)
• Research proposal and supervisor acceptance (For research master's or PhD applicants.)
• Parental consent and guardian details (For students under 18.)
• Dependant documents (Marriage and birth certificates for spouse and children of postgraduate students.)

Costs & proof of funds

• EMGS processing fee (new student, up to 12 months): RM 1,600 plus 8% service tax
• eVAL, iKad, pass and visa fees: About RM 280–300
• Medical screening: RM 250
• Medical insurance: About RM 456–958 per year
• Annual Student Pass renewal: About RM 930–1,000 per year
• Tuition (bachelor's): About RM 20,000–45,000 per year
• Tuition (master's): About RM 25,000–60,000 total
• Living costs: About RM 1,500–2,500 per month

Malaysia does not publish a single fixed proof-of-funds amount for the Student Pass. EMGS and the Immigration Department focus on your offer, documents, bond, insurance and security clearance, but many institutions ask Bangladeshi applicants for bank statements showing they can afford tuition and living costs.

• Expect to show recent bank statements (often the last 3 months) for yourself or a parent or sponsor if your institution requests them.
• Consultancies commonly advise Bangladeshi applicants to show enough funds for at least the first year of tuition plus living costs; the exact amount depends on the institution.
• Budget for the first-year EMGS and immigration charges, which institutions estimate at roughly RM 2,500–5,000 depending on nationality and bond.
• The personal bond amount varies by nationality and is usually paid through the institution; keep the receipt so it can be refunded when you leave Malaysia and cancel your pass.
• Postgraduate students bringing dependants must show extra financial capacity and pay dependant pass fees.
• Do not plan to fund your studies through part-time work, as it is limited to semester breaks.

Visa interview

There is no embassy visa interview for the Malaysian Student Pass. The application is handled by your institution and EMGS. Some universities hold an admission interview, especially for research degrees, scholarships and medicine.

• Prepare to explain why you chose Malaysia and this institution if the university interviews you.
• For research degrees, know your proposal and your potential supervisor's work.
• Make sure your documents and answers are consistent.
• Keep your phone and email active so the institution can contact you quickly.
• Respond fast to any EMGS request for additional documents.
• Be honest in your health declaration; undisclosed conditions found at the medical check can cause problems.

Work rights

Students at public universities and approved private higher education institutions may work part time for up to 20 hours per week, only during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days, with approval obtained through their institution from the Immigration Department. Work is limited to permitted sectors such as restaurants, petrol kiosks, minimarkets, hotels and on-campus jobs, and some roles (such as cashier) are not permitted. Students on English language or skills courses cannot work.

Malaysia's Graduate Pass allows eligible graduates to stay for 12 months after a bachelor's degree or higher, but it is limited to approved nationalities and Bangladesh is not currently on the list. Bangladeshi graduates who want to stay generally need an employer to sponsor an Employment Pass, which depends on salary and job criteria. Many students instead continue to further study or return home or move to another country for work.

Tips & common mistakes

• Check the EMGS website to confirm your institution is approved to enrol international students before paying anything.
• Confirm MQA accreditation and recognition in Bangladesh, especially for professional degrees.
• Apply early; Bangladeshi applications can take longer because of security vetting.
• Track your application yourself on the EMGS website instead of relying only on agents.
• Keep printed and digital copies of your eVAL, SEV, offer letter and receipts.
• Consider branch campuses or twinning programs if you want a UK or Australian degree at lower cost.
• Budget for annual renewal fees and insurance, not just the first year.
• Plan your post-graduation route early, since the Graduate Pass is not currently available to Bangladeshi nationals.
• Enrolling with an unapproved or unaccredited institution through an agent.
• Travelling to Malaysia on a tourist visa intending to convert to a Student Pass, which is not allowed for higher education applicants.
• Entering without the Single Entry Visa or after the eVAL has expired.
• Missing the post-arrival medical screening deadline.
• Letting the Student Pass expire before renewing it, which leads to penalties and possible removal.
• Working during term time or in unapproved jobs, which can result in cancellation of the pass.
• Providing incomplete health declarations or inconsistent documents.

Frequently asked questions

Do I apply for the Malaysian student visa myself?

No. For higher education, your university or college submits the Student Pass application to EMGS on your behalf. You provide the documents, pay the fees and then apply for the Single Entry Visa yourself online after the eVAL is issued.

How long does the process take for Bangladeshi students?

EMGS aims to process complete applications in a few weeks, and many eVALs are issued within about 2–6 weeks. Bangladeshi applications can take longer during peak intakes because of security checks, so allow up to 2–3 months.

Is there a fixed bank balance requirement?

There is no single government figure. Institutions may ask for bank statements from you or your sponsor, often for the last 3 months, showing you can afford tuition and living costs.

Can I work while studying in Malaysia?

Only part time, up to 20 hours per week during semester breaks of more than 7 days, with approval through your institution, and only in permitted sectors.

Can I stay in Malaysia after graduation?

The Graduate Pass is currently limited to certain nationalities and does not include Bangladesh. To stay and work you would usually need an employer-sponsored Employment Pass.

Can I bring my family?

Master's and PhD students may be able to bring a spouse and children on dependant passes, with separate fees and financial evidence. Dependants cannot work.

Do I need IELTS for Malaysia?

It depends on the institution and program. Many accept IELTS 5.0–6.0, other tests such as MUET or PTE, or allow you to take an English course in Malaysia before your main program.

How often do I renew the Student Pass?

Usually every year through your institution, until your course ends. Start the renewal well before your pass expires, typically at least 2–3 months in advance.

Official resources

• EMGS Visa and Student Pass portal
• EMGS required documents
• EMGS Graduate Pass
• Education Malaysia (Study in Malaysia)
• Student Pass - Immigration Department of Malaysia