Costs and Post-Graduation Work Options for University Applications in Malaysia: Visa Fees, Graduate Pass, and Rankings

2026-10-04 · Guides

According to the EMGS website, the new application fee for a Malaysian university student visa is RM1,728, renewal is RM270, and annual medical insurance is RM498–644. The Graduate Pass allows graduates to stay and work for an additional 12 months, currently open to Chinese students until December 31, 2026. Short-term study tours of under 3 months are exempt from the RM80 processing fee until the end of 2027.

In short: for university admissions in Malaysia, the official fees for student visas are straightforward, mainly consisting of the EMGS application fee (RM1,728 for new applications), medical insurance (RM498–644 per year), and the i-Kad student pass (from RM50). If you wish to stay and work after graduation, you can apply for a Graduate Pass, which allows you to stay for an additional 12 months without employer sponsorship. However, the eligibility period for Chinese students is currently stated to be until December 31, 2026, and as of October 4, 2026, the official website has not indicated whether this will be extended.

Below, we will break down the costs, post-graduation options, new policies for short-term study tours, and university rankings.

Student Visa Fees

International student visas (Student Passes) for Malaysia are processed uniformly through EMGS. The following amounts are from the EMGS official website fee calculator (checked on October 4, 2026):

Item	Amount (MYR)	Description
New application (Private University IPTS)	RM1,728	Degree programs
New application (Public University IPTA)	RM1,728	Degree programs
Renewal (IPTS or IPTA)	RM270	Per renewal
eVAL qualification assessment fee	RM159	Standard fee
Medical insurance (annual fee)	RM498–644	Varies by insurance provider and plan
i-Kad student pass	From RM50	RM50 for self-collection at EMGS, RM60.60 for delivery to the university

A few notes:

Medical insurance is mandatory. The EMGS website states that all international students must purchase medical insurance locally in Malaysia. The plans listed in the calculator have annual fees ranging from RM498 to RM644, subject to the university's arrangements.
Which fees go to EMGS. In a November 2025 announcement, EMGS clarified that it only collects the processing fee and the eVAL fee itself; insurance, medical examinations, and i-Kad are collected on behalf of third parties, along with some fees collected on behalf of the Malaysian Immigration Department.
Universities may charge additional administrative fees. EMGS reminds that when universities create applications on behalf of students, they may charge internal administrative fees unrelated to EMGS. Be sure to check with the university.
Tuition is calculated separately. The above only covers visa-related fees. Tuition, accommodation, and living expenses must be calculated separately based on the university and city.

Staying After Graduation: Graduate Pass

Introduction to the Graduate Pass on the EMGS website:

Nature: It is a Social Visit Pass, allowing graduates to stay in Malaysia for an additional year and work in permitted industries without employer sponsorship. Dependents may also accompany them.
Educational requirements: Only issued to students who have completed a bachelor's degree or higher.
Basic conditions: Passport valid for at least 18 months; holding a valid Student Pass at the time of application; proof of course completion issued by the university; valid local medical insurance for the entire duration of the pass; no criminal record in Malaysia.
Sponsorship requirements: Requires a Malaysian citizen as a sponsor to sign a personal guarantee letter. The sponsor's monthly income must be at least RM1,500; the personal guarantee letter must be stamped by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia.

Special regulations for Chinese students: The website states that the eligibility period for this service for Chinese and Indian students is valid until December 31, 2026. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and applicants must also provide a certificate of good conduct issued by their university or their home country's embassy.

Please note: As of October 4, 2026, the official website has not announced any extension arrangements for Chinese students graduating in 2027 and beyond, making it an uncertain matter. Those planning to work in Malaysia after graduation should keep an eye on the EMGS website. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice.

Short-Term Study Tours: RM80 Processing Fee Waived for Programs Under 3 Months

If you are only going to Malaysia for a summer school, winter camp, or short-term course, there is a new policy worth noting. EMGS issued an announcement on June 29, 2026:

The Malaysian government has decided to extend "Visit Malaysia Year 2026" to 2027.
In conjunction with this arrangement, effective July 1, 2026, EMGS has waived the RM80 processing fee for applications for short-term exchange and study tour courses (Mobility / Edutourism Courses) of 3 months or less, valid until December 31, 2027.
The application form has also been streamlined, removing fields such as place of birth, province/city, passport place of issue, and date of issue.

This means that for short-term programs in Malaysia during the winter and summer breaks of 2027, the visa process will be more cost-effective and straightforward.

University Rankings Reference

University of Malaya: According to the university's official website, it ranks 56th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (up from 58th, its highest ever), announced on July 21, 2026; it ranks 194th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, making it the first university in Malaysia to enter the top 200 of this ranking, announced on September 30, 2026.
University of Nottingham Malaysia: Articles on the campus's official website cite the rankings of the UK University of Nottingham, which is 97th globally and 16th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

Rankings are just one reference point. When choosing a university, you should also consider the major, tuition fees, location, and graduate outcomes.

How Campus Tuition is Calculated: The "Tuition Lock" at University of Nottingham Malaysia

The University of Nottingham Malaysia introduced its fixed tuition fee policy on its official website: tuition is locked in from the year of enrollment and will not increase throughout the duration of the program. The example given on the website is: enrolling in a 3-year undergraduate program in 2025 with an annual tuition of RM42,000, and paying RM42,000 every subsequent year. The website also notes that tuition already covers registration, examinations, library, laboratory, and IT resources, with no additional charges.

However, there are two points to note:

If you change your major midway, the tuition for the new major will be calculated based on the rates for the year of the change.
If you resume your studies after a leave of absence, the tuition will be calculated based on the rates at the time of re-enrollment.

RM42,000 is just an example provided on the website. For actual tuition fees for different majors and enrollment years, please refer to the campus's official website.

Budgeting and Planning Advice

Reserve around RM2,500 for visa fees. With a new application at RM1,728, plus medical insurance, i-Kad, and eVAL, the first-year visa-related costs are roughly at this level. Actual costs depend on the university and EMGS.
Check tuition by enrollment year. For universities like the University of Nottingham Malaysia that lock in tuition, the enrollment year determines the tuition for the entire program.
Don't just look at the present for post-graduation work in Malaysia. The eligibility period for the Graduate Pass for Chinese students currently runs until the end of 2026. Those graduating in 2027 and beyond should monitor extension news and not treat it as a guaranteed arrangement.
Seize the window for short-term programs. The processing fee waiver policy runs until the end of 2027, making it ideal for summer schools and short-term exchanges.

Need Help?

If you are comparing university admissions destinations in Asia such as Malaysia and Singapore, check out our University Application Planning Services and Visa Services; if you want to experience a short-term program first, learn about our Summer School Programs, or you can directly Book a one-on-one consultation.