Malaysia is currently under Movement Control Order (MCO) and most organisations remain closed. This includes the VFS office at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  When contacted the VFS office shared that they are waiting for updated advisory from the government before they can re-open their offices to process visa applications.

However VFS have the following arrangements in place:

  • The VFS offices in KL remain closed during the MCO period till the advisory changes
  • Under special arrangement, VFS open once a week to cater to emergency cases only
  • Emergency cases or urgent travel cases are applicable for the following categories/cases:
  1. Under compassionate grounds
  2. Medical treatment
  3. University intake
  4. Job placement
  5. Settlement
  • While point number 3 refers to ‘University intake’, there are specific terms and conditions that are applicable for urgent/emergency applications, these include:
    • That timeline for travel is near – for instance travel date is within the same month
    • To produce relevant supporting documentation, i.e. university start date/job start date, flight ticket etc

Any information or queries on visas, students/applicants may refer to https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk/y/outside-the-uk/something-else/english

VFS advise that student visa applications may be submitted as per the normal online application system. In case of an urgent or emergency situation students may reach out to the helpline address at feedback.ukmy@vfshelpline.com for a special review of the application/case. They are receiving emergency cases and reviewing them on a case by case basis.

 

Comments by British Council:

The current Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia in in place for an indefinite period of time, as the government has stated that the MCO will be in place till the number of daily new Covid-19 cases drops below 4000. The MCO rules restrict inter-district and inter-state travel. Most organisations are closed or working with reduced capacity and reduced hours. This includes the visa application centre at VFS office at Kuala Lumpur. We are headed towards peak time for student applications, and understandably the VFS office closure is causing stress for students, parents and all advisors. What we know from the above update shared by the VFS team is that they are reviewing/processing applications on a case by case basis but the conditions for an ‘emergency’ or ‘urgent’ case is that date of travel be very near and be supported by evidence or supporting documents that specify the required date of joining or travel. This is a slower process and we all hope that the VFS offices can re-open within July. But till that happens, we recommend that all institutions allow for flexibility in dates of joining and travel for Malaysian students. Students should receive their joining instructions and supporting documents at the earliest so that they can prepare and apply well in time for the visas. Some students may also need to arrange for special approvals to be able to travel to KL so as to travel to the VFS office in KL under the current lockdown. The British Council team is in touch with VFS and will we will share all announcements and updates as soon received to help support all institutions and students with updated information on processes.