International students may return to Malaysia in early 2021

International students in Malaysian institutes might be able to enter the country in early 2021 as visa processing is set to begin from January 1. However, this process will only permit students who do not come from one of the 23 countries including the USA, India, Russia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and several Latin American and Western European countries.

Chris Baldwin, CEO and provost at Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, said the varsity got most of its international students from years three to five back in September and October, and the current situation allows registered students to come back unless they are from any of the 23 countries.

The lack of visa processing centres accepting student applications has been a major hindrance in this process. The process is likely to begin from January 1, and visa processing will take four weeks, after which students will have to fly in and quarantine for 10 days, effectively returning to varsities in mid-February.

They can book their quarantine stay online, where a basic package at a modest hotel will cost them £28 per night, while a more luxury option will begin from £107 per night.

International students have complained of the lack of transparency during enrolment, with no clear timelines being provided after months of planning, making it difficult for them to plan about their future.