Ministry may tighten rule on student visas

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PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry is mulling over issuing visas to foreign students only after they have received an offer from institution of higher learning in the country, ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Mahmood Adam said yesterday.

“They have previously been using a social visit visa to enter the country and to look for universities and colleges to pursue higher learning.

“After this, we will introduce a one-tier visa, offered only after they have been offered a place in a local institution,” he told reporters after opening a seminar on film censorship here.

He said the government continuously monitor issues concerning foreign students and has set up a special unit in collaboration with the Higher Education Ministry to handle student visas.

Colleges and universities are also required to inform the government, particularly the Immigration Department, of issues concerning foreign students, including unexcused absences from class.

“If a student has been absent for 20 per cent of his classes, we can revoke his pass and send him back to his home country.

“This is in line with Malaysia’s aspirations to become a hub for education excellence,” he said. — Bernama