The Malaysian Immigration Department has announced that new Malaysian students studying overseas need to apply for a travel pass to be able to travel outside of Malaysia for studies. This is a new ruling announced on 25 May, and students are now required to apply for the travel pass through the Immigration Department’s ‘MyTravelPass System’.

The Director General Immigration, said in a press conference, that existing students currently enrolled at international institutions (and now planning to return to campuses to resume face-to-face learning) are now required to show their student cards at immigration when travelling out of the country.

New students planning to join institutions in other countries are required to upload their offer letters on the MyTravelPass System when they apply for the travel pass.

The requirement for a travel pass is applicable for all students who have offer letters, students sitting for exams and those with job offers.

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/05/25/students-studying-abroad-for-first-time-now-required-to-apply-for-travel-pa/1976809

And https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/25/get-a-travel-pass-to-study-abroad

Comments from British Council:

The announcement of the new requirement has come as surprise, particularly, as last year in September 2020 it was announced that internationally bound Malaysian students could proceed to campuses around the world, accompanied by their parents, without a travel pass. Most parents and students were planning for travel based on that.

The announcement has raised concerns about ease and time required, not just to apply for the travel pass, but also for health checks or visa applications/appointments as the Movement Control Order – MCO calls for reduced staff working at most work places till the MCO concludes. The MCO is set to conclude on 7 June, but with the increase in new daily Covid-19 infections being 7000 plus, there is a chance that MCO may be extended.  

Additional details and announcements from the Immigration Department are expected and will provide clarity. Nonetheless, we recommend that UK institutions support Malaysian applicants with faster decisions on applications, provision of supporting documents that may be required for travel and flexibility on requirements. This will facilitate students and parents in preparing and deciding well in time for the preparation to join campuses at UK, as they navigate arrangements for visas, flights, quarantine, accommodation and more.

We will share additional updates as soon as available.