General
- Can I work part-time in Malaysia during my studies at ELS?
No, you are not allowed to work in Malaysia during your course of study with ELS.
- Can I study on my tourist visa (or social pass)?
Students are allowed to study with us within the validity of their tourist visas. Please check with the nearest Malaysian Embassy/ Consulate in your respective country on the permitted length of stay. However, students must apply for ELS Student Visa (ELS in KL & Penang | ELS in JB & Subang Jaya) if they wish to prolong their studies after the permitted length of stay.
- Can I study on my Malaysian work permit?
Yes, you may study with us on your valid Malaysian work permit. Please provide us an official letter from your company (attention to ELS Language Centres, Malaysia) permitting your studies with us.
- How can I locate the Embassy/ Consulate of my country?
Please click here for more details.
- If I’m on tourist visa, can I open a bank account in Malaysia?
No, foreigners on tourist visas are not allowed to open bank accounts in Malaysia.
ELS Student Visa
- What are the advantages of getting an ELS Student Visa?
A Student Visa holder is entitled to:
(a) studying in Malaysia for 6 months (extendable)
(b) opening a bank account in Malaysia
(c) an ELS student card. This card is proof that you are a student to many outlets that offer special student discounts. This includes movie tickets and bowling games.
(d) an easier transition into other local educational institutions. If you intend to prolong your studies in Malaysia, you will need to apply for an extension at least two months before your student visa expires. - How long is an ELS Student Visa valid for?
ELS Student Visa is valid for 6 months and it is extendable.
- Can I extend my Student Visa?
Yes, you can. If you wish to extend your visa, you’ll need to approach our counselors at least 8 weeks before your visa expires. You are required to pay 2 months tuition fee in advance for an extension. Please also note that upon submission of an application for extension, you are advised not to make any arrangements to leave the country until your passport is given back to you with the new visa stamp. The process may take up to two months.
- How can I apply for an ELS Student Visa?
Please visit our International Students page for details.
- Can I apply for an ELS Student Visa by enrolling into other programmes such as SIEP, IELTS or TOEFL® iBT Test Prep?
To qualify for our Student Visa, one must study our full-time Certified Intensive English Programme (CIEP) for a minimum of ONE SEMESTER or 4 months.
- When should I start applying for an ELS Student Visa?
It is advisable you start applying at least one month before your intake.
- What is the fastest way to apply?
The fastest way to apply to ELS is submitting an online application. Please ensure that your scanned documents provided are complete and clear to avoid processing delays.
- How long does it take to process my Student Visa application?
It takes approximately 30 working days (Mon-Fri). The processing may take a longer time during Ramadan periods.
- What can I do if I do not have a college/ university certificate & academic transcript?
Please provide us the certificate and academic transcript of your Secondary School if it is the highest qualification you have attained.
- What is the minimum amount that I need in my bank account(s) before coming to Malaysia?
It is part of the requirement for Student Visa applicants who are 25 years old and above to show proof to Malaysian Immigration Department that he/she has sufficient funds whilst studying in Malaysia. Please provide a statement that shows approximately RM10, 000 in your bank account for a six-month’s study. It is, however, possible for someone to live reasonably well on RM1, 500 per month in Malaysia. This amount would cover housing, food and transportation.
- What happens after I’ve submitted my visa application?
Upon receipt of your application and bank receipt, we will email you a Letter of Acceptance (only upon request) and proceed with your student visa application. If a notification email is not received within 5 working days after your application submission (10 working days if by post), please contact central admissions at admissions@els.edu.my.
- Will ELS notify me once my Student Visa is approved?
ELS Central Admission will notify you immediately upon visa approval. Please contact the office at admissions@els.edu.my or +603-6203 3532 if you don’t hear from us after 30 working days.
- Can my Student Visa application be rejected?
Rejection of visa application by the Malaysian Immigration Department is not common. However, should there be any problems and if the visa application is rejected, a portion of the processing fee will be refunded to you. Kindly refer to the "Refund & Cancellation Policy" for more details.
- Can I enter Malaysia on my tourist visa (social pass) before converting it to an ELS Student Visa?
No.
- How can I obtain a Letter of Acceptance from ELS?
Upon receipt of your application and bank receipt, we will send you a Letter of Acceptance (only upon request) and proceed with your student visa application.
- Is a Letter of Acceptance necessary to enter Malaysia?
The ELS Letter of Acceptance is NOT needed upon entry into Malaysia. This is applicable to both Student Visa and Non-Student Visa (tourist visa) holders. However, you need to have a valid passport and/ or visa, if applicable.
- Can I apply for a holiday while studying at ELS?
International students on ELS student visas can apply for a month’s long holiday after studying 4 months continuously. To apply, please approach our counselors at the centre.
- What can I do if I’ve overstayed in Malaysia?
Overstaying is a crime in Malaysia. With your passport in hand, please approach our counselors at the centre immediately.
- How can I pay?
Payment can be banked-in, made through Bank Draft payable to ELSI SDN BHD or by Telegraphic Transfer payable to: -
Payee : ELSI SDN BHD
Account No. : 014-178-903-585 (Swift code: MBBEMYKL)
Bank Address : MAYBANK, S.E.A. Park Branch, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 46300, Malaysia.
Note : All bank charges are to be borne by payer (sender).
Kindly fax a copy of your bank-in slip or bank remittance advice (i.e. bank receipt) to Central Admissions Office at +603-6201 6989. Please indicate the following on the bank-in slip or bank remittance advice: -
(i) Applicant’s name,
(ii) Applicant’s IC or passport number,
(iii) Applicant’s email address,
(iv) Intake (e.g. Jan, Feb & etc), the name of the course (e.g. CIEP, SIEP & etc) and the ELS Centre of interest
Coming to Malaysia
- What if my student visa is not approved before my scheduled flight?
You should only make travel plans to Malaysia when you have received confirmation from ELS that your student pass has been approved by the Malaysian Immigration Department.
- What can I do while waiting for my visa approval?
You can arrange your travel and book your flights.
- How shall I plan my flight arrangements?
To estimate the date of your visa approval, add 30 working days (Mon-Fri) from the day you receive an email confirming our receipt of your visa application. You should also plan your travel so that you will arrive before the session begins.
- Which airport should I fly to?
Students on tourist visas (social passes) can choose to fly to either one of the following airports: -
Students enrolled to either ELS Kuala Lumpur (KLCC/ Bukit Bintang), Petaling Jaya or Subang Jaya Centres
(i) Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
(ii) Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport
Students enrolled to ELS Penang Centre
You can transit from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Penang International Airport (previously known as Bayan Lepas International Airport)
Students enrolled to ELS Johor Bahru Centre
You can transit from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Sultan Ismail International Airport (locally known as Senai Airport).
All students entering Malaysia on ELS student visas MUST schedule their flights to KLIA. Under Malaysian Immigration requirements, a representative from ELS Language Centres is required to meet you at KLIA. - How to request for an airport pickup?
Fill up (all fields are required) and return the Airport Pick-up Reservation Form to Central Admissions (Facsimile No.: +603-62016989; email: admissions@els.edu.my. Please inform us of your travel arrangements at least 7 days before departure.
- How much is an airport pickup service?
The charge for this airport pickup service is USD100 per applicant (applies to weekdays, weekends and public holidays). If the applicant is accompanied by other people, there is an additional charge of RM50 per person for this service.
If the applicant arrives during public holidays, weekends or after 4pm on weekdays, he/she (and their companions) would need to be placed in a hotel at their own expense for the night (and possibly the next few nights) as the ELS Central admissions is closed at 6pm (Monday to Friday) and on weekends and public holidays.
- Can I arrange for my friends or relatives to pick me up at the airport?
Malaysian Immigration Law requires all colleges to meet all foreigners on student visas at the Immigration checkpoint at the airport; otherwise students will not be allowed to check out. Please do not arrange to have your friends or relatives pick you up at the airport.
If you are a foreigner on a social pass (tourist visa), you may request an airport pickup from your friends or relatives. - What should I do when I arrive at the airport?
Please take note of the procedures upon arrival at the airport for tourist visa and student visa holders. Our ELS representative – Mr. Tan (+6012-335 6396) will be receiving you at the airport.
- Is a Letter of Acceptance necessary to enter Malaysia?
The ELS Letter of Acceptance is NOT needed upon entry into Malaysia. This is applicable to both Student Visa and Non-Student Visa (tourist visa) holders. However, you need to have a valid passport and/ or visa, if applicable.
