Travelling to a different country seems challenging and before you arrive in any foreign country, you will need to know and be fully prepared by securing some important information that will make your trip as smooth as possible. It is pertinent for you to make sure you have got everything organized with sufficient time to spare before you leave home.
The university should have sent you some information and guides ahead of your journey, read the information carefully, because the information will immensely help your pre-departure preparation.
Here are some tips to ensure that you have a smooth journey and beginning in USIM:
Travel Plans:
- Received the complete dose(s) of COVID-19 vaccination
- Ensure you have your student entry clearance a.k.a Visa Approval Letter (VAL) with Single Entry Visa before traveling into Malaysia. Otherwise you will be denied entry at the airport.
- On another note, please be informed that your VAL is valid for only 6 (SIX) MONTHS from the date of issuance. The last date for you to enter Malaysia is at least 1 (ONE) MONTH before the expiry date of the VAL due to the requirement by the Malaysian Immigration Department.
- You should know when to arrive for admission (for undergraduate/postgraduate by course work programmes are every March & October)
- Please take note that all overseas travellers into Malaysia are required to register in the MySejahtera application 3 days before your arrival, to avoid any complications during the arrival. The MySejahtera is an application developed by the Government of Malaysia to assist in monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Important information such as travel itinerary (time, date, and travel details) and health declaration has to be registered through the application before your departure. The link for MySejahtera registration can be found at https://mysejahtera.malaysia.gov.my/intro_en/.
- Take RT-PCR COVID-19 test seventy-two (72) hours before flying to Malaysia.
- Make a full payment for the mandatory quarantine and COVID-19 tests can be done online via MySafeTravel / MyQR application by MyEG.
- Plan your journey from your point of entry up to your final destination (Transits are not allowed to any destinations within the country, including Labuan, Sabah and Sarawak (international to domestic transfer).
- Please inform the USIM personnel at least five working days ahead of your departure from your country. Contact:
- Undergraduates: Ms. Noorfazira,
- email: fazira@usim.edu.my
- Postgraduates: Ms. Noraini,
- email: noraini.j@usim.edu.my
Documents required for your journey
Certain documents are needed when you arrive at the airport in Malaysia, where you will be interview by immigration and health officials. It is therefore important that, you fully prepared and bring with you the following documents:
- Valid international passport, with a student visa or Malaysia entry clearance.
- Air ticket (for flight).
- Vaccination certificates
- Letter of acceptance from your place of study (admission letter).
- Documentary evidence that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees and accommodate yourself while studying (recent bank statements, proof of scholarship or sponsor’s letter).
- Originals (or certified true copies) of any degree certificates or technical qualifications.
- Malaysian currency or dollars.
- A list of what you are carrying in your luggage in case you have to make an insurance claim.
- Any prescribed drugs or medicine you are taking, plus a letter from your doctor.
- Address, telephone number and travel instructions to your final destination.
Note: Make sure you keep the above documents and the following in your hand luggage
Financial Matters
Your student visa DOES NOT allow you to work in Malaysia
Ensure that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your tuition fees during your study period
Have sufficient Malaysian Ringgit (RM300 a day for food and hotel) at hand upon arrival to ensure that you do not face financial problems during the transition period before you get settled in to cover registration, bond, tuition, transports and other daily up keep.
Clothing
Appropriate clothing for a hot and humid weather
It is worth bringing items of your national dress to wear at social events, and photographs of family and home may be of interest to new friends who would like to learn about other cultures.
Information about luggage
You will have a free baggage allowance which will be shown on your air ticket; this is usually from 20kg with a restricted weight of 32kg per single item of luggage. Only essential personal possessions may be brought in addition to research materials. You may be charged for excess baggage if you exceed the baggage allowance. You should also make a list of everything you bring. You should be aware that some food, plant and medicines are made from endangered species and are not allowed by immigration and customs. Please check with your airlines.
Information about travel Insurance
It is advisable for every international student to always subscribe to travel insurance that covers your journey to Malaysia and for the duration of your stay. This should cover delays, medical emergencies and the cost of replacing any belongings in case of lost /missed on your journey.
Information about Personal Security
Generally, Malaysia is a safe place to be, but unfortunate case may arise, then it is advisable to apply precautions. For example:
- Always carry your money in an inside /inner pocket, not in your back pocket or the out er pockets of coats or jackets and if you want to leave your coat or jacket anywhere, then take your money with you.
- And if you carry a handbag, keep it by you and do not leave it unattended, even for short periods.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash with you, just the little to meet your day – to – day needs.
- Avoid leaving luggage, bags or briefcases in waiting rooms, on railway platforms or on luggage racks where you cannot see them.
- It’s much safer to carry valuables like cameras, radios and computers with you, and again, make a note of their serial numbers.
- Take care of your mobile phone and try to avoid using it in crowded places or when you are walking along busy streets.
- If your phone is stolen, report it and give your number to the network operator and the police to minimise the chance of thieves using it.
- Finally, take special care of your passport, tickets and other personal documents.
Arrival into Malaysia (KLIA OR KLIA 2)
Most international students travel by air and your first sight of Malaysia is likely to be one of Malaysian International airports. So, if you are travelling into Malaysia by air you will usually arrive at either KLIA or KLIA 2 airports, all of which are convenient for you and from there, you can take a cab or bus to (USIM) Nilai. At first sight an airport can appear a difficult and confusing place, but if you follow the steps below, getting through it is actually quite easy. These are the steps you must take:
Follow the sign for ‘Arrivals’ unless you are transferring to another plane at the same airport.
- ‘Arrivals’ will take you to passport control.
- As you approach passport control you will see electronic screens; these will show you which zone you will need to go through.
- All passengers must go through the immigration zone dealing with their flight.
- The immigration officer will want to see: that your passport is up to date, that your documents are in order, your landing card from the plane, and, if required, a valid visa.
- The immigration officer must also be satisfied that you are eligible to come in.
- If you do not require prior entry clearance or a visa, you will also need to show a letter of acceptance as a student from USIM and proof that you are able to pay for your course and living expenses without working in the Malaysia, for example, bank statements for the last three months and/or a sponsor’s letter.
- The immigration officer s need to be satisfied that you meet the immigration rules for students and that you intend to leave Malaysia at the end of your studies.
- Another part of the immigration process is health control: you might be asked to undergo a brief, routine health check by the airport doctor, which may include an X – ray as part of a short medical examination. The health check will take place in a separate room. Afterwards you will have to return to immigration control.
- As long as your documents are in order, you should pass through immigration smoothly, but if you need any help, kindly contact the USIM personnel through the on your admission letter.
Accommodation
- It is best to make accommodation arrangements (temporary or permanent) prior to your arrival.
- Please inform the USIM personnel at least five working days ahead of your departure from your country to make accommodation arrangements
- Accommodation is available for all international students. (https://prupel.usim.edu.my/)