During past years, there were few chances for foreign students with student visas to work for a living in Malaysia.
Although students had some legal opportunities to work, the Malaysian Immigration Department had placed restrictions on foreign students allowed earnings while they are studying in Malaysia.
- You are only permitted to work 20 hours per week during semester breaks only.
- Please speak with the student visa officer at the international office if you are interested in working while you are a student at any point.
- You must never work in an unofficial capacity because doing so could cause your student visa to be canceled.
Guidelines for part-time work
Under the circumstances outlined below, international students can have part-time jobs.
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During their studies, international students can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week.
- Festive holidays
- Semester breaks
- More than 7 days of holiday
International students may only work in four industries with a valid student pass, including:
- restaurants
- Petrol stations
- small markets
- and motels
They can NOT work as:
- Cashier
- Singers or musicians
- Masseurs
- Guest Relation Officers
- Any job deemed to be immoral
One Year Work Permit for international students
Malaysia has recently introduced a one-year work visa for graduate students from 32 selected countries to work in the country without employer sponsorship.
The 32 eligible countries to work as a graduated student in Malaysia are:
Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, India, Japan, China, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Germany, the UK, France, Switzerland, Canada, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, the US, Oman, Bahrain.
Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher at a recognized Malaysian higher education institution to be able to use this permission.
Why the Graduate Pass Matters
Malaysia’s Graduate Pass program gives university graduates a smoother entry into the local job market. The key attraction is simple: no company sponsorship is needed. This means new graduates can immediately look for work once their studies are complete.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Completion of a recognized bachelor’s or postgraduate qualification in Malaysia.
- Submitting the application soon after graduation, within the official time limit.
Boosting Malaysia’s Talent Strategy
The policy is part of Malaysia’s plan to bridge workforce skill gaps and help promoting mobility across sectors. It opens more flexible employment paths for graduates, at same time giving employers access to qualified workers.
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