RAFFLES UNIVERSITY
PREPARATION & ARRIVAL
PREPARATION & ARRIVAL
Get ready to embark on an exciting journey of studying abroad, beginning with the preparation and arrival process. This adventure promises new experiences, cultural immersion, and personal growth. Prepare by gathering your documents, embracing diversity, and researching your destination.
Upon arrival, anticipate warm welcomes, orientation programs, and support services that will help you settle in comfortably. Embrace this opportunity to expand your horizons, make lasting memories, and achieve your academic goals.
Your study abroad journey is about to unfold, and it’s bound to be an unforgettable and enriching experience.
GET READY TO ENJOY THE UNIVERSITY LIFE IN MALAYSIA
1. Application Process
The application process for international students at Raffles University begins with submitting an online application form along with the required documents.
Raffles University offers a personalised, 1-to-1 consultation service, supported by a global team of experts.
Our team is dedicated to guiding you through every step of the admission process, ensuring you have the support you need no matter where you are in the world. With their assistance, you can navigate your application smoothly and confidently, making your journey to studying at Raffles University as seamless as possible.
Contact Us: https://raffles-university.edu.my/international-student/#team
- Two (2) Photocopies of Passport (all pages), certified true copies by a commissioner of oaths, public notary or lawyer. Passport must be valid for at least 3 years or the duration of programme.
- Two (2) recent passport-sized colour photograph (with white background).
- Two (2) sets of Applicant’s latest education transcripts and certificates in original language & English translated copies (front & back), certified true copy by a commissioner of oats, public notary or lawyer. (Design students need to submit a design portfolio)
- Certified true copy of English Language qualification
- Application fee to be made payable to “Raffles Iskandar Sdn Bhd”.
- Health Declaration Form.
- Original No Objection Certificate (NOC) for students from Sudan; Original Letter of Eligibility (LOE) for student from Iran.
The Translated copy must contain:
a) Duplicates of original documents should carry a certificate, a stamp or seal and the certifier’s name and signature;
b) Confirmation from the translator that is an accurate translation of the original documents;
c) The date of the translation
d) The full name and signature of the translator and contact details.
- ORIGINAL Release Letter (From the original college/university applicant is transferring from)
- Applicant’s attendance and performance record from the original college/university (certified true copy)
- Transcripts & Certificate from the original college/university (certified true copy)
- Evidence (on passport) that Student Pass has been shorten by your last previous institution of student with sufficient period to apply for Special Pass.
- If you have not undertaken a Medical Screening in Malaysia (at an EMGS appointed clinic) within 6 months of your application for transfer, you will have to undergo a Medical Screening.
*All documents must be certified & signed by the Chief Executive of the original college/university the applicant is transferring from.
2. Offer of Admissions
Raffles University will issue Letter of Offer (LOO) to successful applicant
To proceed with student visa application in Malaysia, international student MUST:
1. Make application fee payment to the University according to the Fee Structure & Payment Schedule.
2. Accept the offer of admissions first by reverting the RU Letter of Offer with the signature.
This practice should be done only after RU IO / Admissions Department has confirmed and verified the entry qualification to the programme of interest.
3.Getting a Visa Approval Letter (VAL)
Application submitted to EMGS for Visa Approval Letter (VAL). EMGS processing time 2 or 3 months or longer on a case-by-case basis.
- All international students who wish to study in Malaysia are required to obtain a Student Visa. Students are strictly NOT allowed to enter Malaysia during the VAL processing period. Applicant has to submit the completed documents at least 2 to 3 months before the intake to avoid delay of Student visa approval.
- EMGS/Immigration reserves the right to request for additional documents to support the student visa application, the approval is solely at the discretion of EMGS/Immigration. In the event that your student visa is not approved, the application fee paid is non-refundable and non-transferable. If the student visa approval is delayed, you may defer your enrollment to the next intake, on a case-by-case basis.
- The documents and photos must be in accordance with the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) specifications. You may refer to this link for guidelines: https://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my/guidelines.html. The documents are required for application for the Visa Approval Letter (VAL) and Student Pass from the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
- The processing of VAL may take up to 2 or 3 months from the date of submission of documents to EMGS portal. RU IO bears no responsibility for late payment and / or submission of required documents. RU IO will apply for the VAL and Student Pass on behalf of the student. International students who are on social visit pass or those holding other passes e.g., dependant pass, social visit pass, MM2H pass, student pass from other institutions, are still required to apply for a student pass through RU IO.
- Student may check the status of his / her student pass application through EMGS website at “Track My Visa Application” via the link: https://educationmalaysia.gov.my. Once VAL is approved, RU IO will notify international student via email together with further instructions.
- Students coming from Yellow Fever Endemic Zones are required to possess a valid certificate of immunization against Yellow Fever. List of countries involved as in https://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my/media/docs/YFV_countries.pdf. Students from these regions are therefore required to get the vaccination. Additional documents will be required for students from Sudan i.e., No Objection Certificate (NOC), Omani i.e., No Objection Letter (NOL) and Iranian i.e., Letter of Eligibility (LOE). RU IO will assist in applying for the said required documents. Please note that additional charges may be incurred.
4. Applying for Single Entry Visa (SEV)
Kindly note that students from countries that requires Single-Entry Visa (SEV) to enter Malaysia are required to submit their SEV application to the nearest Malaysian Mission office.
- Apply Single Entry Visa (SEV) IF you are from SEV required country. Please refer to https://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my/guidelines/sev-required-countries.html.
- Single Entry Visa (SEV) can be applied at any nearest Malaysian Embassies and High Commissions Office Abroad.
- Application can also be made online through eVISA Portal https://malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my.
5. Booking a Ticket
The Malaysian immigration requires a representative from the University to escort applicants through the Immigration Checkpoint if applicants enter Malaysia through KLIA or Senai Airport. Applicants will not be allowed to pass through the Immigration Checkpoint if the University’s representative officer is absent.
Contact RU Admission / IO to confirm Travel Plan.
- Student is advised to arrive in Malaysia 1 week or a few days in advance before Orientation Day (not more than 1 week). Arriving at Malaysia too early may result in insufficient validity of student visa to complete your study in whole duration.
- Avoid midnight flight and weekend to smoothen the quarantine process at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and arrangement process of the logistic.
- Inform RU Admission final booking details
6. Before the Flight
Before your flight to begin your journey at Raffles University, it is crucial to have a checklist in place to ensure a smooth transition.
- Fill up a form available in http://visa.educationmalaysia.gov.my with your flight details & contact number.
- Print out a hard copy of VAL & Travel Authorization Letter, along with Letter of Offer from the University.
- Install EMGS Mobile App in your mobile phone and fill up the Pre-Entry Checklist (wherever necessary) at least 3 days prior to your departure.
- Download MySejahteraapps in your mobile phone and complete your personal details at least 3 days before arrival. https://mysejahtera.moh.gov.my/en/
- Prepare some amount of money to apply Visa on Arrival (VoA) IFyou are from VoAs required country. Please refer to https://educationmalaysia.gov.my/get-in-touch/news/visa-on-arrival-for-foreign-students-(voas)
- Please register your personal information and travelling information at Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) at least 3 days before your departure date. Once registered, please send a copy of it to us via Email or WhatsApp together with the PIN number. Please refer to https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
7. Arrival in Malaysia
Arrived in Malaysia, meet the University representative before proceeding to the immigration checkpoint at the airport for immigration clearance. Applicant must get ready of the hardcopy of VAL and SEV which endorsed on th epassport. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are coming from or transmitted more than 12 hhours through countries with risk of Yellow Fever
- Upon arrival at airport, kindly proceed to EMGS International Student Arrival Centre (ISAC) for verification and Immigration clearance. Please connect to airport Wi-Fi immediately on you have landed at KLIA 1 or 2.
- If you are unwell upon arrival in Malaysia, you will be referred to the Health Officer on standby at airport for further examination and will then be referred to nearby health facility for treatment. Please inform us immediately via WhatsApp on your status during this stage. Please refer to https://mysejahtera.moh.gov.my/en/for more information.
- While presenting your hard copy VAL to the Immigration Officer at the clearance checkpoint, please inform them that you’re going to report to Johor Bahru Immigration (not Cyberjaya / Putrajaya). This is importantas they will stamp / write your reporting Immigration office / branch in your passport.
- You’ll be given 30-day Special Pass upon entry.
- The University representative will fetch you from the airport. If you wish to arrange your own transportation to Johor Bahru, please do inform and notify us earlier at least 3 days prior to the departure date.
- Upon immigration clearance at KLIA 1 or 2, international students also have the option to book domestic flights directly to Johor Bahru Senai International Airport as Raffles University is located at Johor Bahru,
8. Post-Arrival in Malaysia
The post-arrival session in Malaysia is designed to guide international students through the essential steps following their arrival.
- Report to the University with your passport.
- Attend medical check up at an EMGS- registered clinic within 7 working days upon arrival in Malaysia
- Passed the medical check-up, make payment for medical insurance. EMGS will issue a supporting letter for your student visa
- University will proceed to Johor’s immigration office for student pass endorsement.
- Open a Bank Account
Student Pass / Visa
Student Pass/Visa Guidelines and Renewal Process
- The Student Pass / Visa are endorsed onto your The endorsement indicates your visa types, the length of stay in Malaysia, the number of entries permitted and the validity of the Student Pass.
- It is mandatory for you to submit your passport to our International Office two (2) months in advance of the visa expiry date in order for us to either renew or apply for your new Student Pass / Visa on your
- It is your responsibility to check the expiry date of your passport, and have it renewed at least six (6) months before it expires. Students who fail to submit their passport or fail to inform our officer about their expiry dates would be considered as
- Overstaying is considered a federal offence and therefore prosecutable by court. Punishment imposed will vary from prison sentence to caning followed by immediate deportation back to country of origin depending on the severity of the It is strongly encouraged for all international students to be alert and wary of their student pass and visa’s expiry date to avoid this.
- An application for the renewal of a Student Pass must be made at least two (2) months before the expiry date of the existing pass /
- The application must include a photocopy of the existing student visa and student ID card, the original passport, and Immigrations fee for Student Pass (they are according to countries within the range of RM60– RM150) and advance tuition fee
- It will take approximately 30 days to obtain renewal from the Any penalty imposed by the Immigration Office for overstay or other penalties must be borne by the applicant.
- The Immigration Office has the right to cancel a student pass based on poor attendance and poor academic
- All international students are to be covered by an insurance adhere throughout their duration of studies. This will be organized by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS).
- iKad (Integrated Student Identity Card) used by international students in Malaysia, which serves multiple functions, including as a student pass and for access to various services.
- Upon the endorsement of Student Pass onto the passport, i-Kad will be issued by EMGS and couriered to Raffles University within three (3) weeks.
- i-Kad is a biometric residence permit (the size of a credit card) which bears the student’s photo and other information e.g., passport number, nationality of the student, name of the institution, and duration of the Student Pass to verify the identity.
- A valid i-Kad is the only substitute identification document for foreign nationals recognized by the Immigration Department of Malaysia in Peninsular Malaysia.
- It should be kept with you all the time.
- With an i-Kad, your passport can now be kept away at a secure place. Please take note that i-Kad is not a replacement document for international travel or travels between West Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia) and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak).
- The i-Kad is non-transferable. No one other than the authorized student is permitted to use it.
- An i-Kad should be renewed annually, and it is your responsibility to be alert and check the expiry date of your i-Kad. An application for the renewal of the i-Kad must be made at least two (2) months before the expiry date of i-Kad. The renewal fee of i-Kad is around RM50 (exclude Service Tax).
- In the event that the i-Kad is loss or damaged, an i-Kad replacement application shall be applied by the student to Raffles University International Office immediately and the following fees will apply:
- For lost / damaged i-Kad (1st request) – RM150
- For lost / damaged i-Kad (2nd request for the same student) – RM300
- For lost / damaged i-Kad (3rd request for the same student) – RM500
- Every subsequent loss / damage of i-Kad (after damaging / losing it 3 times) for the same student – RM500 each request
- If you withdraw from your study at Raffles University, you should return the i-Kad to Raffles University International Office.
