Important Update 2026: Cancellation of Visa on Arrival for international students in Malaysia and mandatory eVISA and SEV before travel
The official authorities in Malaysia announced a new update to international student visas starting from April 24, 2026, as students coming from countries previously covered by the Visa on Arrival system are no longer allowed to enter Malaysia without obtaining an eVISA or Single Entry Visa beforehand.
Malaysia Study Visa Update 2026: What has changed for international students?
The Malaysian Immigration Department, in cooperation with Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), announced the implementation of a new update regarding the entry procedures for international students into Malaysia, starting from April 24, 2026.
According to the new guidelines, students coming from countries that were previously eligible to enter through the system are no longer permitted Visa on Arrival (VOA) Using this system to enter Malaysia for the purpose of studying.
Instead, it has become mandatory to extract:
- eVISA Malaysia
- or SEV – Single Entry Visa
Before traveling to Malaysia.
This decision directly affects thousands of international students as well as educational agents and companies working in the field of university admission and study in Malaysia.
What is the difference between eVISA and SEV?
eVISA
eVISA is an electronic visa that is applied online before travel, and allows the student to enter Malaysia legally to complete the study procedures.
SEV
Single Entry Visa is a single-entry visa issued by the embassy or authorized authorities before travel.
Both options are now required before arriving in Malaysia for students coming from affected countries.
What does this decision mean for new students?
If you plan to study in Malaysia during the year 2026, you must ensure the following steps:
1. Obtain the EVAL approval letter
You must first obtain an academic approval letter.
2. Determine the place of issuance of the visa
When submitting the application, you must specify the place of issuance of the SEV.
3. Obtaining a visa before traveling
It is not possible to travel to Malaysia before obtaining the required visa.
What about students who already have EVAL?
Students who have previously received study approval but have not yet travelled, should contact their university or educational institution to update their visa details and make an amendment to their EVAL letter if necessary.
Failure to do so may result in:
- He refused to board the plane
- Denied entry at Malaysia airport
- Delaying the start of school
- Additional financial losses
What countries are affected?
According to the official list, the decision includes: 72 countries Previously eligible for Visa on Arrival, among them Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Palestine And others. The official list also shows that Yemen is among the countries included in the update.
Frequently asked questions about the study visa in Malaysia 2026
Has Visa on Arrival for students been cancelled?
Yes, for countries previously included in the system, entry is no longer permitted via VOA for study.
Is it possible to travel with EVAL only?
No, the EVAL letter alone is no longer sufficient in affected cases.
Can eVISA be obtained after arrival?
No, it must be extracted before traveling.
Does the decision include Yemeni students?
Yes, Yemen is on the official list of affected countries.
How to avoid any problems in travel procedures to Malaysia?
We advise all students to ensure that:
✅ Issuing academic admission
✅ EVAL EXTRACT
✅ eVISA or SEV extraction
✅ Review the validity of the passport
✅ Check the university’s instructions before booking a flight
Start your study journey to Malaysia with confidence
If you are planning to study in Malaysia and need free consultation about universities, institutes or visa procedures, the ii-study team can help you step by step until arrival.
