International Students

Welcome to City U Malaysia!

We are pleased that you have made City University Malaysia as the university of your choice! We strongly believe that you have made the right decision.

We understand that studying in a foreign country, away from your family and friends can be an exciting and yet a daunting experience. To support you through this time, we have created this useful guide in order to help you prepare for your move to Malaysia and your first few days at City University Malaysia.

Entry Requirements
Follow the specific requirements for each programme (as shown under Programmes)

Contact us to find out more about the scholarships offered.

Tuition Fees

International students are advised to be fully aware of the tuition fees & other administrative charges/fees of the college before departing from their home countries.

A copy of the latest fee structure is available from our International Marketing Office or from City University Malaysia’s representatives.

Money

International students are advised to carry approximately RM500 – RM1000 in cash to cover expenses in Malaysia for the first 1 – 2 weeks. Students should also bring other funds to be drawn in Ringgit either in the form of bank draft or via electronic transfer in a bank account in Malaysia.

Notes: *Bank clearance may take 1 week for electronic transfers, and 3 – 4 weeks for bank drafts* It is more convenient to transfer funds electronically when depositing large sums of money into bank accounts* Ringgit Malaysia (RM) is the basic unit of exchange (both paper notes & coins are used)

Health

It is advisable for international students to obtain doctor’s advice on the type of medications necessary & required immunisations that had been given in the past.

International students are also advised to be aware of the medications that he/she is allergic to. Having a document that details one’s health history with oneself would be helpful.

Climate & Clothing

The average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius at daytime. Annual rainfall is heavy at 2500mm (100 inches). Do expect relatively high humidity at 80% throughout the year.

Students are advised to wear light colours & sweat absorbent materials such as cotton for daily dressing.

Electrical Goods

Electric supply is on a 240-volt 50-cycle system.

Please ensure that the electrical goods from your country are compatible to use in Malaysia.

Passport Renewal

Before leaving your country for Malaysia, please check to ensure that your passport is current, with at least 12 months’ validity.

Passport renewal may take several months. You are advised to apply for renewal at least 2 months before the expiry date to avoid inconveniences.

Living Expenses

Approximate RM15,000 per year.

Budget your expenses for travel, food, accommodation (if relevant) throughout the study period at Malaysia.

Accommodation

International students may request for off-campus accommodation & transportation assistance. It can be arranged by informing your request at least one (1) month before arrival.

For further inquiries, please consult your International Marketing Officer.

Immigration Information

1) All International students are required to comply with policies set by the Immigration Department of Malaysia. Please adhere strictly to the requirements to minimize delay/ other problems that may arise. A passport/ travel document with minimum one & half year (18 months) validity is required to come into the country. You need to obtain an approval letter from the Malaysian Immigration Department prior to entering the country.

2) You need to send all the necessary documentation to the relevant authority to apply for your student pass/ visa (this will be applied for by the university on your behalf). The whole process will take 6 – 8 weeks. Once approved, the Immigration Department of Malaysia will send you a Visa Approval Letter (VAL). You are required to seek advice from the nearest Malaysian Embassy/ High Commission for applying & obtaining an entry visa.

3) Upon receiving your entry visa, you are to inform the University seven (7) working days prior to departing from your country. Bring along a copy of the VAL. Representatives of the University will meet you at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport & assist you in processing your entry visa at the Immigration checkpoint. Please submit your passport to the International Student Services to obtain your student visa sticker as soon as possible, preferably the day after arrival.

4) All international students studying at public or private higher education institutions are allowed to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week ONLY during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days at restaurants, petrol kiosks, mini markets and hotels as long as their student passes remain valid. Please note that prior approval from the Department of Immigration is required.

Please note that the VAL is valid for only three (3) months.

It is illegal to study in Malaysia under a social/ tourist pass. A Special Pass is granted at the discretion of the Director-General of Immigration or person acting on his behalf. The Director-General has the right to reject any Special Pass application without giving any reason.

All international students studying at public or private higher education institutions are allowed to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week ONLY during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days at restaurants, petrol kiosks, mini markets and hotels as long as their student passes remain valid. Please note that prior approval from the Department of Immigration is required.

Students who wish to change colleges after they have received their student visa will need to obtain approval from the Immigration authorities. Any transfer student who wishes to study in City University Malaysia has to cancel his/ her visa from the previous college. We advise such students to submit all the relevant documentations to our visa department & leave the country. Students are to come in once they obtain the VAL from the Immigration Department. Students holding a valid pass under one college are not allowed to study in another.

All international students studying at public or private higher education institutions are allowed to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week ONLY during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days at restaurants, petrol kiosks, mini markets and hotels as long as their student passes remain valid. Please note that prior approval from the Department of Immigration is required.

All international students studying at public or private higher education institutions are allowed to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week ONLY during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days at restaurants, petrol kiosks, mini markets and hotels as long as their student passes remain valid.

Please note that prior approval from the Department of Immigration is required.

All international students studying at public or private higher education institutions are allowed to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week ONLY during semester breaks or holidays of more than 7 days at restaurants, petrol kiosks, mini markets and hotels as long as their student passes remain valid. Please note that prior approval from the Department of Immigration is required.

Bring your passport to International Office (IO) at least 60 days (approximately 2 months) before the expiry date of your student pass for processing. If students do not comply with the 60 days’ renewal period, an administrative cost will be charged according to the number of days before the passport expires. All International Students must have valid insurance before applying for student pass renewal.

Fill up the student pass & Immigration forms provided by IO Officer. The supporting documents that you need to provide are :

  • 1 passport-sized photograph
  • Receipt of tuition fee payment (one year’s fees for a one year student pass)
  • Receipt of medical insurance payment
  • Immigration fee for student pass (the fee varies from country to country) Overall, it takes about one (1) month to process the application.

The approval of renewal is subject to :

  1. Student’ passport should have at least 1½ year (18 months) validity
  2. Student must have an attendance of equal to or more than 95% on first renewal & 80% on subsequent renewal
  3. In addition, those who are absent for three (3) consecutive days in class must provide a valid reason to Immigration
  4. Student must have a minimum of CGPA : 2.00 (Cumulative Grade Point Average)
  5. Anyone having less than CGPA : 2.00 will have to write an appeal letter to the Immigration (an appeal is granted only once)
  6. The Immigration has the right to cancel student pass based on poor academic results & attendance

In The Event of Overstay

Less Than Seven (7) Days

  • Student must write a letter to the Immigration explaining why the student did not renew the student pass
  • Student must be present at the Immigration Office with an IO representative to submit the application form
  • Student will receive a warning letter from the Malaysian Immigration Department
  • Any penalties incurred are to be borne by the student

More Than Seven (7) Days

  • Student must write a letter to the Immigration explaining why the student did not renew the student pass
  • Student must be present at the Immigration Office with an IO representative to submit the application form
  • Immigration may detain a student for 14 days after he/she has overstayed for more than a week. Student would need to pay the penalty of RM30.00 per day
  • Any penalties incurred are to be borne by the student

Second Offence

  • Student must write a letter to the Immigration explaining why the student did not renew the student pass
  • Student must be present at the Immigration Office with an IO representative to submit the application form
  • Student will receive a warning letter from the Malaysian Immigration Department
  • Any penalties incurred are to be borne by the student

Other Information

Students who defer studies will have their student pass cancelled. Students are to report to International Office (IO) with confirmed ticket three (3) weeks before departing. Get advice from IO before purchasing the ticket.

Anyone failing to comply will result in IO lodging a Police report, notifying the Immigration Department & the Ministry of Higher Education to affect the cancellation of the student pass.

Students who defer studies will have their student pass cancelled. Students are to report to International Office (IO) with confirmed ticket three (3) weeks before departing. Get advice from IO before purchasing the ticket.

Anyone failing to comply will result in IO lodging a Police report, notifying the Immigration Department & the Ministry of Higher Education to affect the cancellation of the student pass.

If you renew/ change your passport, you are required to transfer your student pass to the new passport immediately. Your student pass will not be valid in the old passport. Bring your old & new passports to IO so that we can advise you on what to do.

In the event you lose your passport, lodge a report at the nearest Police station & provide us with a copy of the report. Go to your Embassy/ High Commission to make a new one. You are required to carry your passport at all times when you travel in Malaysia.

Application Procedure

Step 1

Fill in the application form & submit it together with the required documents to City U

For international students that are applying from Country of Origin (new applicants):
Please send your completed application form & the following documents as required to imo@city.edu.my :

  • Passport size photo with white background (4cm X 5.5cm) in .jpeg format
  • Certified true copies of all academic transcripts / certificates by Ministry of Education or previous schools (scan copy)
  • Scan copy of your passport – all pages including the blank pages in color. Your passport must have a validity period of at least 12 months.
  • Latest resume (for Postgraduate programme applications only)
  • Confirmation of Employment letter from your employer (for Postgraduate programme applications only)
  • Application fee & EMGS student visa processing fee (approximately RM3,150)

*Please ensure that all documents in languages other than English are submitted together with notary translation to English.

For international students that are applying within Malaysia (transfer students):
Please send your completed application form & the following documents as required :

  • Application fee & EMGS student visa processing fee
  • Certified copies of the release letter, attendance record & academic transcripts / certificates from your recent college / institution

Step 2

Successful applicants will receive the Letter of Acceptance from City U

Upon receipt of the completed application form, payment of application fees & relevant supporting documents as explained above – City U will email a copy of the Letter of Acceptance to the students if they meet the entry requirements.

City U International Student Department will submit the documents to the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) to begin the process of Visa Approval Application.

This process will take approximately 6-8 weeks.

Step 3

Successful applicants will then receive the Visa Approval Letter from City U

Once City U International Office has received the required fees i.e. the payment has been credited into City U’s bank account via Telegraphic Transfer / Bank Draft, City U will send the original Letter of Acceptance & Visa Approval Letter to the eligible international students by courier.
*It is the student’s responsibility to check with the Malaysian Embassy in the respective home country with regard to any special / visa requirements before coming to Malaysia. For example, an international student may need to apply for Single Entry Visa to enter Malaysia, in order to avoid a fine.
*Students from Africa are required to take the necessary inoculations, particularly against the Yellow Fever Vaccination before coming to Malaysia. Students are advised to carry along the Medical Certificate for verification by the Malaysian Immigration Department.

Have questions?

We understand that most of the time, an answer is just what you needed to make your dreams become reality.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

As a student at City University Malaysia, you will have access to various scholarships and financial assistance provided by both the university and external benefactors, as shown below.

Check out what you can apply for today!

* Terms and conditions applied

Contact Us