English Malaysia urges ELT visa changes

Published 06/08/2018

English Malaysia, the country’s representative body for ELT providers, has called upon the new government to simplfy visa requirements for English language students looking to continue onto higher education.

In a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, English Malaysia has requested the academic progression process, which allows students to apply for a new visa onshore when progressing to a higher level of study, be extended to ELT students.

“We look forward to having a clear process to matriculate students to higher education”

Currently, English learners must leave the country to apply for a new student visa if they wish to continue onto higher education.

“We hope that this process can be smoothened out by the government by allowing them to apply for a progression onshore,” said Sean Chee, English Malaysia co-founder.

Speaking with The PIE News, Chee, who also operates ELT provider ELS Malaysia, added that doing so would have a significant positive impact on the sector, with many students choosing to study English in Malaysia with the explicit goal of continuing to university.

“We look forward to having a clear process that language centres need to abide by to matriculate students to higher education without having the need for them to leave the country.”

If implemented, the change would not be the first for Malaysia’s visa processing, which was streamlined through Education Malaysia Global Services in 2016 as part of the country’s broader goal of attracting 250,000 students by 2025.

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