Indian nationals living in Saudi Arabia

Malaysia student visa for Indians living in Saudi Arabia

We wrote this for Indian passport holders who live in Saudi Arabia and have, or expect, a Malaysian university offer. It sets out what the Riyadh Embassy and Jeddah Consulate publish for the visa step, how the iqama fits, and what to confirm.

The route

Malaysia student visa route from Saudi Arabia

EMGS lists both India and Saudi Arabia among the countries whose citizens need a Single Entry Visa before travelling to Malaysia (EMGS SEV list). For an Indian passport holder who lives in Saudi Arabia, the practical difference sits at the visa step: what the Malaysian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah publish, and how a Saudi iqama figures in their lists.

This page covers that step only. It does not choose a course, quote tuition or promise a visa outcome. Malaysian Immigration decides every application.

Student visa route for an Indian national living in Saudi ArabiaFive steps: offer letter, EMGS application, Visa Approval Letter, online student-category visa application per the Riyadh Embassy notice, then arrival and medical screening.01Offer letterFrom your Malaysianuniversity, before anyEMGS application.02EMGS applicationOffer letter, healthdeclaration, Englishevidence, passport.03Approval LetterVisa Approval Letterissued through EMGS.04Student visa onlineRiyadh notice: apply inthe Student category atmalaysiavisa.imi.gov.my.05Arrive, then screenMDAC, VAL in hand,then panel-clinicscreening in Malaysia.

  1. Offer letter

    From your Malaysian university, before any EMGS application.

  2. EMGS application

    Offer letter, health declaration, English evidence, passport.

  3. Approval Letter

    Visa Approval Letter issued through EMGS.

  4. Student visa online

    Riyadh notice: apply in the Student category at malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my.

  5. Arrive, then screen

    MDAC, VAL in hand, then panel-clinic screening in Malaysia.

Steps follow the EMGS user guide (user guide) and the Riyadh Embassy notice. The notice is dated 6 January 2022, so treat the online-application step as something to confirm. Checked 10 November 2026.

Malaysia visa in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Embassy and Jeddah Consulate

Malaysia has two missions in the Kingdom. Their published pages are not equally detailed for students, so we separate what each one actually says.

Embassy of Malaysia, Riyadh

  1. A notice dated 6 January 2022 says students from all countries must apply for the Single Entry Visa under the "Student" category via malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my, and that manual applications are suspended.
  2. The same page says single entry visas are submitted at the Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulate in Jeddah, with a processing period of three working days.
  3. Its general document lists ask for a valid iqama (a national ID for Saudis), a copy of the passport first page, and for non-Saudis an exit/re-entry or final exit copy. Those lists are headed social visit, and employment and dependent pass. No separate student list is printed.
  4. Visa fees are payable in cash only, according to the page.

Source: Riyadh

Consulate General of Malaysia, Jeddah

  1. Lists a signed application form, one photo, passport copy, air ticket copy, copy of iqama and exit re-entry visa, and proof of funds.
  2. Asks for a guarantee letter from a local sponsor stating name, nationality, passport number, profession, salary and purpose of visit.
  3. Points to the eVisa page of Malaysian Immigration for more information.

This list is not labelled as a student list. For a student with a Visa Approval Letter, ask the Consulate which documents it wants before you submit.

Source: Jeddah

Malaysia visa fee in Saudi Arabia: not published

Neither Saudi mission page gives a fee for Indian nationals that we could read, so we are not quoting one.

The Riyadh page says fees are payable in cash only. Ask the mission for the current amount and accepted payment before you travel to submit. We have not converted any Saudi fee into rupees because none is published.

Malaysia visa points to confirm for Saudi residents

Age of the student notice. The online "Student" category notice on the Riyadh page is dated 6 January 2022. The EMGS user guide still describes the Visa Approval Letter followed by a Single Entry Visa from a Malaysian mission. Ask Riyadh or Jeddah whether the online application is still the route for a student holding a Visa Approval Letter.
Two missions, two lists. Riyadh and Jeddah both accept single entry visa submissions, but their printed documents differ. Jeddah asks for a local sponsor guarantee letter, and Riyadh does not list one. Do not assume one list covers both.
Medical screening timing. The EMGS medical screening page says new students attend a panel clinic within 7 working days of arrival (EMGS). The EMGS user guide says 7 days from entry (user guide). Plan for the shorter reading.

Malaysia student visa timing for Saudi residents

30days minimum

EMGS recommends applying for the visa before leaving your home country for a minimum of 30 days, to leave time for the Student Pass and screening on arrival. The Riyadh page quotes three working days for the mission step, with submission from 8:30 to 11 am. Saudi mission working days run Sunday to Thursday at Jeddah.

Before you fly

  1. Keep your iqama valid and check your exit/re-entry permit covers the trip, since both missions list them.

  2. Carry the Visa Approval Letter. The EMGS guide says failing to produce it may mean being refused entry.

  3. Complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card online at least three days before arrival, as the Abu Dhabi mission advises all travellers. We did not find the same line on the Saudi pages.

Malaysia study visa questions from Saudi residents

Is the visa step different because I live in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, in what is submitted. Both Saudi missions ask for iqama and exit/re-entry details that applicants outside the Kingdom would not have.

Can I apply for the visa before I have an offer letter?

No. The EMGS guidelines say you can only submit the online application once you have an offer or acceptance letter from the Malaysian institution.

Riyadh or Jeddah?

Both pages say visas are submitted at the Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulate in Jeddah. Pick the one that is practical for you after confirming its student document list.

Can you guarantee the visa?

No. We help you check that your documents match the mission list and your offer. Immigration makes the decision.

Malaysia visa sources and dates

This is a planning page, not immigration advice. Rules change; confirm with the mission and EMGS before you apply.

Malaysia study experiences from our students

We work with 34 partner universities. Read student experiences published on our website (emiroverseas.com), reproduced as published there, with the 5 out of 5 stars shown beside each.

“They guided me through every step of the application and clearly explained what to expect throughout the process and after arriving in Malaysia, which made everything much less stressful. They also helped connect me with other students in Malaysia, which was extremely reassuring …”

Hima Shiraz, University of Nottingham Malaysia. As published on Emir Overseas’ website.

“The team was professional, responsive, and made the entire process extremely easy. Special mention to Ms. Bibu, who managed everything seamlessly and ensured the process was stress-free for me.”

Ihab, MSc Business Strategy, Leadership and Change · Heriot-Watt Malaysia. As published on Emir Overseas’ website.

Your Malaysia study plan, with our Calicut team.

Bring your offer letter or shortlist, passport, iqama details and intended intake.

Talk to our Malaysia study-abroad expertsOur office: Ground Floor, HiLITE Business Park, Calicut. Please arrange an appointment before visiting.