Student Visa / Pass Application Policy & Procedure

1. Section 8(3)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Amended 2002) requires foreign students to undergo medical check-ups in their home countries before entering the State of Sarawak. Medical check-ups must be done at a government general hospital or specialist Institution recognised by the government.

2. Upon arrival in Sarawak, students are required to undergo another medical check-up. A student can only remain in Malaysia subject to 'medical clearance' from an approved local medical practitioner.

3. Before applying for a new student pass through the new college/university where they intend to study, they need to curtail the current pass and obtain a ‘Letter of Release’.

4. The Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education issued a circular in November 2010 outlining its latest requirements for foreign students from Sub-Saharan Africa intending to study in Malaysia. It stipulates that, effective from 1 January 2011, all students from the region need to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective countries’ authorities as a pre-requisite for entry into Malaysia. The NOC is to be sent along with the student’s letter of offer, visa application and medical forms.

5. All international students are required to apply for a Student Pass before entering Malaysia.

6. The Immigration Department of Malaysia is responsible for the granting and extension of entry visas. Immigration policies are also determined by the Department. Visa approvals are not automatic and there are stringent criteria to be met. In addition, different criteria exist for different nationalities.

Full student visa information is available on the Immigration Department of Malaysia’s website at http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/visa.

Under the Immigration Act and Curtin's enrolment policies, students wishing to study at Curtin Sarawak must follow the following procedures in order to obtain their Student Passes:

• Submit application for admission to Curtin Sarawak, providing all relevant supporting documents.
• Upon approval, a Letter of Offer and Student Pass application forms will be issued to the prospective student. The student then proceeds to undergo a medical examination in his/her country of origin. The No Objection Certificate (NOC) will only be issued to foreign students from the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
• The medical clearance (medical report should be in English) together with completed Student Pass application forms and Acceptance of Offer is then sent to Curtin Sarawak. Curtin Sarawak will process the Student Pass application only when tuition and other fees as indicated in the Letter of Offer are fully paid.
• The Sarawak State Immigration Department will approve or reject Student Pass applications usually within 4-5 weeks (Curtin Sarawak will be duly notified of the outcome of the applications).
• Upon approval, a letter from the Sarawak State Immigration Department (addressed to Malaysian High Commission/Embassy) will be forwarded to the prospective student.
• The prospective student then submits the letter and his/her passport to the Malaysian High Commission/Embassy in his/her country of origin for ‘Single Entry Visa’ endorsement.
• Once the student is determined to be clear of any contagious/communicable/dreaded diseases, the medical practitioner will provide a supporting medical report to recommend the student to remain in Malaysia as a student.
• Curtin Sarawak will submit the medical report and the student’s passport to the Sarawak State Immigration Department for immediate endorsement of Student Pass with a ‘Multiple Entry Visa’.
• All international students are not allowed to work while holding Curtin Sarawak Student Passes.
• Appropriate action will be taken against international students who miss classes for three (3) consecutive days by the International Office unless a valid reason is given, along with proof such as a medical certificate.

LIST OF COUNTRIES OF SUB-SAHARA AFRICA:

1. Angola
2. Benin
3. Botswana
4. Burkina Faso
5. Burundi
6. Cameroon
7. Cape Verde
8. Central African Republic
9. Chad
10. Comoros
11. Congo
12. Cote d’Ivoire
13. Democratic Republic of the Congo
14. Equatorial Guinea
15. Eritrea
16. Ethiopia
17. Gabon
18. Gambia
19. Ghana
20. Guinea
21. Guinea-Bissau
22. Kenya
23. Lesotho
24. Liberia
25. Madagascar
26. Malawi
27. Mali
28. Mozambique
29. Namibia
30. Niger
31. Nigeria
32. Rwanda
33. Soa Tome and Principe
34. Senegal
35. Seychelles
36. Sierra Leone
37. Somalia
38. South Africa
39. Swaziland
40. Togo
41. Uganda
42. United Republic of Tanzania
43. Zambia
44. Zimbabwe
    
    No Objection Certificate (NOC) Sub Sahara (Africa) countries are required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective Country’s Authority as a pre-requisite prior to entry into Malaysia.