Triangle

 

Immigration information for returning students

 
Renewing your Student Pass

 

Student Pass (Visa)

All international students who defer, withdraw, terminated, and completed studies are required to shorten/cancel their present student pass before leaving the country. They are required to get advice from the Visa Office on the necessary formalities. This is in line with the directive from the Malaysian Immigration Department guidelines NOT allowing international students to return home before shorten/cancellation is carried out. Any student fail to comply this guidelines will have their passport being blacklisted by the Immigration Department and the University will have no control over this decision.

 

 
Overstaying your Student Pass (visa)

If your visa has expired and you have not renewed it yet, you should immediately visit the Visa Office for consultation. You can also reach the relevant visa officers urgently at +60 3 8924 8257 or Hotline +60 3 8924 8088.


Who needs to renew their Student Pass (visa)?

Students who are progressing from one year to another of a course (e.g. Year 1 to Year 2 and Year 3) must renew their student pass. However, students who are progressing from Foundation to UG or UG to Masters/ MPhil/ PhD must apply for a new eVAL (see Special Circumstances).

Eligibility to renew your Student Pass:

The EMGS (Ministry of Higher Education) and Immigration Department will only approve the student pass renewal if students meet the following criteria;

  • An attendance of no less than 80%
  • Obtain a pass in all pass in all the subjects taken – if the student fails or obtains poor results (in any one subject), the Dean’s supporting letter is required with a Study Plan.

The Immigration Department of Malaysia reserves the right to extend or deny any student pass it sees fit.

 
When to renew your Student Pass?

Students are advised to submit their passport for student pass renewal at least four (4) months before the expiry of their current pass. This is to ensure that there is sufficient processing time for external bodies and to avoid applying for the Special Pass or overstaying. 

There are two main criteria to fulfil in order to renew your student pass;

  • An attendance of no less than 80%
  • Pass in all modules (subjects)  – If poor or fail (any subject) Dean’s supporting letter is required with a Study Plan.

Students can appeal for their student pass renewal if has been denied. however the reserves the right to extend or deny student passes for any period of time.

For students having student passes issued for the full duration of their studies (3 years), they MUST renew their i-Kad annually. Failure to do this may lead to revocation of their student pass by the Immigration Department without prior notice, resulting in the student having to be sent back to their home country.

 i-Kad Renewals are done annually:

  • An attendance of no less than 80%
  • Obtain a pass in all subjects taken- if the student fails or obtains poor results (in any one subject), the Dean’s supporting letter is required.

The Immigration Department reserves the right to extend or deny any i-Kad renewals. Failure to renew will lead to the revocation of the student pass by the Immigration Department and the student being sent back to their home country.

 
How to renew your Student Pass?

Submit the following documents to the Visa Office:

  • 2 copies of your passport-sized photograph with a white background (Read EMGS photo specifications). Digital copy preferred.
  • 2 copies of all pages of your current passport (passport validity period should be at least 18 months of the date of receiving new endorsement. If you have recently renewed your passport, please attach 2 copies of your old passport also). Coloured scanned copies preferred.
  • Any passport validity of less than 18 months (1½ years) MUST be renewed at your nearest Embassy/ Consulate/ High Commission before being submitted to the Visa Office for the student pass renewal process.
  • For UG/ PGT students, we will obtain your academic transcript from the Student Registry.
  • For MRes/ MPhil/ PhD students, we shall request your Postgraduate School to provide your progress report and attendance report. It has to be signed by either the Dean/ Head of School/ Supervisor before we can submit your renewal application.
  • Any student who fails to submit their passport to the Visa Office less than 14 working days before their current student pass expires will have to pay an additional cost of RM153 for a special pass as imposed by the EMGS/ Immigration Department.
  • Passport blank pages MUST be more than eight (8) pages in order to receive the student pass endorsement. This is in line with the Immigration Department guidelines.

Students who are applying from campus are encouraged to submit hard copies of the above documents. Students who are applying for renewal from abroad are allowed to submit soft copies of their documents. Students will be notified to submit their passport to the Visa Office once EMGS has supported their student pass renewal application. The Visa Office shall hand over the student's passport to the EMGS for the student pass (visa sticker) endorsement. The average processing timeline for student pass renewal is around 14-21 working days, at times this can be delayed depending on Immigration Department. You are NOT allowed to make any travel plan arrangements while your passport is being processed at the Immigration Department.



Cost of visa renewal

The student pass renewal fee of RM1,250 is payable after your student pass (visa sticker) has been renewed and you may make your payment through the MyNottingham portal. Please print the receipt of payment and present during passport collection to Visa Office. 

Students who DO NOT qualify for the Student Pass renewal include:

  • Any student who is NOT progressing to the following year (taking a Gap Year/ deferring studies) will NOT be entitled for a student pass renewal. Please visit the Visa Office for a consultation.
  • Any student who changes to another course (switches programmes) which is not the same as per earlier issued VAL, will have to re-apply for a new VAL (refer to the Visa Office immediately for a consultation). Failure to adhere to this directive may lead to the student to be sent home by the Immigration Department for non-renewal entitlement.
  • For enquiries and assistance in such matters, please contact the New Visa Team at Apply.Visa@nottingham.edu.my +60 3 8924 8078 or Hotline +60 3 8924 8088.
  • Students who receive a three (3) year student pass cannot change courses while in Malaysia. They are required to shorten/cancel their student pass and return to their home country. They will need to reapply for a new VAL from their home country or country of residence and pay for their visa processing fee through MyNottingham portal. 
  • Changing of courses can only be initiated during their first year of studies and NOT during year(s) two or three as per the Ministry's guidelines.
  • Students transferring to UNUK or UNNC MUST shorten/cancel their student pass before returning home, or the Immigration Department may blacklist their passport for NOT following the guidelines.
  • For student pass cancellation, students are to submit the following documentation:
    1. Original passport.
    2. Flight ticket to home country/ country of residence (please ensure to provie a copy of your parents work permit/ passport front page/ valid Resident Pass as proof. THe flight ticket MUST be a month from the the date of submission to the Visa Office as per the Immigration Department guidelines.
    3. Payment of cancellation RM53 is to be paid direclty to EMGS and proof of payment is required.

 

Enquiries & Assistance

  • For enquiries and assistance in renewing your Student Pass, please contact the Visa Renewal team at visarenewal@nottingham.edu.my +60 3 8924 8078 or Hotline +60 3 8924 8088
  • Please bear in mind that you are responsible for your own passport and the Visa Office will be not held responsible if you have overstayed as you have your passport at hand. The process of clearing an overstay is tedious and can take up to 3 months. Overstaying is a serious offence in Malaysia and can hamper your studies.

 

 
Loss of passport

If you have lost your passport, please do the following:

  • Report the incident to the Security Office at UNM (+60 3 8924 8065) for immediate advice.
  • Notify the Visa Office or email to visarenewal@nottingham.edu.my call +60 3 8924 8078 or Hotline +60 3 8924 8088
  • Get a Confirmation letter from Student Registry.
  • Lodge a police report within 24 hours of the incident at the nearest police station.
  • Submit an original copy of the police report and confirmation letter to your home country's embassy/high commission for issuance of a new passport/ travel document.
  • Ensure you keep a copy and provide it to the Visa Office the next day for record purpose.
  • Once you have received your new passport, please immediately hand in your new passport to the Visa Office for the next steps of transferring your 'old' valid Student Pass into your new passport. Please submit a copy of your police report to the Visa Office for record purposes.
  • There will be an additional cost involved for applying for a Special Pass and this cost will be borne by the student. The visa officer will provide further advise to you on this matter.

 

 

After renewing your passport

If you have renewed your passport, please do the following:

  • Bring both your old and new passport to the Visa Office immediately once your new passport has been issued by your country's Embassy/High Comission.
  • Transfer of the visa sticker to the new passport as the old passport is no longer valid.
  • A small fee will be imposed for this process and our visa officer would advise you to make the payment directly to EMGS and provide proof of payment.
  • Do ensure your 'Old passport' is 'VOID' by your mission otherwise, it will not be accepted by the Malaysian Immigration Department.

Please make sure to have the visa sticker transferred to your new passport to ensure a smooth process. Failing this process may hamper your travelling plans.

 


Contact

UNM's Visa Office can assist you with your visa renewal at any time of the year as long as it complies to Immigration Department's rules and regulations. 

For consultation:

Operational hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:00pm (closed on weekends and public holidays).

Please visit the Visa Office at Student Services Centre, Block H

Email: visarenewal@nottingham.edu.my     

Call +60 3 8924 8078 or Hotline +60 3 8924 8088