Pre-departure & Entry Guideline


Pre-departure & Entry Guideline

Applicable to International Students

Please note that travel advisories may change at any time; we advise you to keep that in mind and ensure you check with the nearest Malaysia Representative Office for accurate information before departure.

Important Checklist

Before departing for Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, please ensure you have all required documents and completed the following:

1 If travelling by air — valid Flight Ticket with final destination to Kuching, Sarawak.
  • Depart only from the destination stated in your eVAL/VAL. Layovers are allowable.
  • Visits into other countries for tourism purposes before arriving into Malaysia will cause complications in your student pass/visa endorement with Malaysia Immigration Department (Sarawak).
  • Entry point must follow what is stated in your eVAL/VAL
If travelling by land — ensure your entry point is correctly stated on your eVAL/VAL
2 Apply for Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) 3 days prior to arrival.
– MDAC must be applied through https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main?register.
3 Original passport
4 Contact nearest Malaysia Representative Office for updates on required documents
5 Single Entry Visa (SEV). Please refer to list of countries that require SEV.
6 Travel and report to Visa Services Counter on campus before the start of the orientation week..
7 2 copies of Visa Approval Letter (eVAL) — to be submitted at Immigration Checkpoint upon request
8 Swinburne Sarawak Offer Letter
9 Original academic transcripts, certificates and result slips
10 Confirmed accommodation arrangement
11 Book for Arrival Services with Swinburne Sarawak and attach your flight itinerary. **
12 Yellow Fever Certification — applicable to specific list of countries.

** Optional

Visa required countries to enter Malaysia

You are requested to apply for a Single Entry Visa (SEV) in preparation for your travel to Sarawak, Malaysia. Refer here for SEV required countries.

Please follow the steps outlined below:

  • Nationals that require SEV but reside in non-SEV required countries will still be required to obtain SEV
  • Those who are in “Stateless” category will require SEV to enter Malaysia

Step 1

Contact the Malaysia Representative Office as indicated on your eVAL/VAL to enquire on any additional documents required for Single Entry Visa (SEV) Application. For contact information, please visit Malaysian Mission.

Step 2

Proceed to Malaysia Representative Office as indicated in your eVAL/VAL with the following documents:

  • Original Passport
  • Visa Approval Letter
  • Swinburne Sarawak Offer Letter
  • Any other documents as advised by Malaysia Representative Office
  • Once you have obtained your SEV, you must travel to Kuching, Malaysia during the SEV validity period and before it expires.

Non-Visa required countries

For countries that do not require a Single Entry Visa (SEV), please note the following:

  • Present your eVAL/VAL — even if SEV is not required, you still need to present your eVAL/VAL at the immigration checkpoint
  • Nationals residing in different countries — if you are a national who do not require SEV but resides in a country other than your nationality, please refer to the nearest Malaysia Representative Office to confirm if SEV is required before your travel
  • Travel before eVAL/VAL expiry — it is important to travel before the expiry date of your eVAL/VAL

Purchasing your flight ticket

When booking your flight ticket, please remember your final destination is Kuching International Airport.

Important Note: Travelling out of Malaysia/Sarawak after entering and before obtaining your student pass/visa endorsement is not allowed. Doing so can cause immigration complications during the endorsement process of your pass/visa with the Malaysian Immigration Department (Sarawak). Students are strongly advised to remain in Kuching, Sarawak until student pass/visa endorsement is obtained.

Please ensure that your entry point is as stated in your eVAL/VAL. If there are any changes to your entry point, it is imperative to report them to Visa Services for amendment. You will only be able to travel once you have received your amended eVAL/VAL.

It is recommended to travel to Malaysia either a month or less before the semester commencement. Students must arrive on campus and report to Visa Unit before the start of the orientation week. Please refer to Swinburne Sarawak Academic Calendar.

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)

With reference to recent announcement made by the Ministry of Home Affairs(KDN), all foreign visitors to Malaysia will be required to complete Malaysia Digital Arrival Card(MDAC).

1. MDAC is applicable to the following international students:

  • Students who have obtained Visa Approval Letter (VAL/eVAL) and travelling to Malaysia to commence study
  • Mobility students

2. MDAC must be applied through Malaysia Immigration Department website:https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main?register

  • Application can be completed 3 days before arrival
  • International student must present completed MDAC at entry points for immigration clearance

3. Existing international students who holds a valid student visa pass are not required to complete MDAC if re-entering Malaysia with a valid student pass/visa

4. Implementation of MDAC is in effect from 1 January 2024

For further information, please refer to https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main

Autogate Facility at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2

Effective 1st June 2024, International travellers from 63 countries will be able to utilize the autogate facility particularly at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to ease immigration clearance.

*Autogate facility is only applicable to those who have obtained student pass/visa on their passports.

Entering with eVAL/eVISA/SEV
International students must visit the immigration counters to complete their immigration clearance after obtaining their eVAL/eVISA/SEV.


What to do if used autogate instead of manual counter?
International students who did not complete their immigration clearance via immigration counters but instead used the autogate facility MUST submit the online verification (sample shown below) from Immigration website also known as MDAC (hardcopy) to Visa Services counter upon reporting your arrival on campus.

Entering with Student Pass/Visa

  • Once international students have already obtained their student pass on their passports, they may use the autogate facility in KLIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 for departure and re-entry into Malaysia.
  • List of countries are available here.

Journey to Malaysia — In transit at KLIA/KLIA2

Effective 1 August 2022, all travellers are permitted to enter Malaysia regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status and do not require a pre-departure or on-arrival COVID-19 test. Please refer to https://mysafetravel.gov.my/

Please note that this situation may change periodically. Stay updated by reaching out to the nearest Malaysia Representative Office for the most recent information before your departure.

Transiting via Kuala Lumpur International Airport

  • You are required to transit via the Domestic Terminal for a connecting flight to Kuching
  • Proceed to the Airport Information Counter for enquiry or assistance
  • Expect an immigration checkpoint upon your arrival
  • Your passport will be stamped with "Special Pass" at our immigration checkpoint. Note the expiry date on your pass
  • You may also be asked to present your Visa Approval Letter (eVAL/VAL) by the immigration officer

IMPORTANT

  • At the Malaysia Immigration checkpoint, ensure that you receive a "Special Pass" stamp for both Kuala Lumpur and Kuching airports
  • If you receive any other stamps besides "Special Pass", please promptly inform the issuing immigration officer to rectify it before proceeding to your next destination

Journey to Kuching, Sarawak

  • You must enter Malaysia on a Single Entry Visa (SEV). Please refer here for countries that require SEV
  • Present your SEV and Visa Approval Letter (eVAL/VAL) at immigration checkpoint
  • For countries that do not require SEV, you may present your Visa Approval Letter (eVAL/VAL) at the immigration checkpoint
  • It is recommended to travel to Malaysia either a month or less before the semester commencement. Students must arrive on campus and report to Visa Unit before the start of orientation week. Otherwise, the student has to consider to defer or apply for leave of absence.

On Arrival — In Kuching

  • Please expect an Immigration Checkpoint upon arrival to Kuching International Airport
  • If you are travelling via land, do expect an Immigration Checkpoint at the designated border
  • Ensure that your passport is stamped with "Special Pass" at Kuching International Airport's immigration checkpoint. If a different pass is stamped on your passport, request for amendment from the issuing immigration officer

Arrival Services

  • If you have booked for Arrival Services, please look out for our Student Ambassador with a Swinburne placard at the Kuching International Airport Arrival Hall
  • Emergency contact details are available in your Airport Pickup Confirmation Email

Telecommunications

  • To stay connected, we strongly advise the purchasing of a local SIM card upon arrival in Malaysia. You can easily buy a local SIM card at the airport, either at Kuala Lumpur International Airport or Kuching International Airport
  • The selection of telecommunications network includes: DiGi, Celcom, Maxis, Tune Talk or UMobile. Malaysia's country code is +60

Arrival on Campus — Student Pass/Visa Endorsement

  • Student pass endorsement is a very important and crucial part of student pass/visa cycle. You must complete this process before you are able to obtain your student pass/visa
  • Proceed to studentHQ — Visa Services Counter (located at Ground Floor, Building A) to submit your passport, e-Visa or Single-Entry Visa Stamp and Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) for student pass/visa endorsement on the next working day after your arrival to Kuching
  • Request to meet a Visa Unit Officer and our Visa Services Officer will provide further guidance on post-arrival health screening
  • Post-arrival health screening:
    • New students will receive a Guarantee Letter for post-arrival health screening at Borneo Medical Clinic (BMC), which is walking distance from campus
    • Student must undergo health screening within 7 days after arrival date
    • It is advisable that you declare in detail to the health examiner your medication intake to avoid false positives in your medical report. This ensures that the health examiner is fully informed of any medications you are taking, which can help prevent any misunderstandings or inaccuracies in the medical evaluation
    • Health screening report will be delivered to the university once available
    • Student pass/visa will only be endorsed on your passport after the university receives health report declaring you are in good health
    • Any follow-up required health screening report must be self-paid by the student
    • Sudent pass/visa endorsement process may take approximately 3 weeks, so refrain from making travel arrangements until you have received your endorsed student pass/visa



For further assistance or queries, please contact:
Visa Unit
Swinburne Univesity of Technology Sarawak Campus
Jalan Simpang Tiga
93350 Kuching Sarawak
Malaysia

Tel: +60 82 260600
Student Information Centre Servicedesk