Health insurance is one thing that cannot be missed when an international student is planning to study in Malaysia. It’s not optional. It’s mandatory. Regardless of whether you are studying a full degree course or whether you are taking a short-term program, you have to have medical coverage sanctioned by the concerned Malaysian bodies.
However, here is the trick: it is not any insurance that will suffice.
Health insurance in Malaysia Students should be bought locally in Malaysia and sometimes done either through your college or by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), the organization that regulates international education.
We will take you through all you should know step by step to avoid getting stuck, overpaying or staying uninsured. We will also point out reputable insurance companies, demystify what is legally mandated, and also see what other countries can offer us in terms of greater coverage.
🎓 Why Health Insurance Is Mandatory in Malaysia
The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) of Malaysia has come up with stringent criteria that require every international student to get access to necessary medical services. This is not only protecting you, the student, but also the country itself to preserve a healthy, effective healthcare network to both the visitors and residents.
You must present evidence of this local insurance in case you want to register your student pass or visa. Without it, you will have to waste time in enrolling or even be denied entrance.
To put it simply: you will not get your student visa without the right insurance provided by an established local provider or a scheme organized with EMGS.
🛡️ Who Handles Your Health Insurance?
Mostly the university or college that you are joining will coordinate with the insurers that are approved by EMGS. They can even charge the premium as a part of your enrolment package. This saves you the hassle on your part, you will not have to go around shopping blindly.
Nonetheless, certain institutions can also give you options of a limited number of insurers approved, or in exceptional instances, provide you with an opportunity to provide evidence of a similar international plan (with approval of the EMGS).
🏥 Local Insurance Providers Affiliated with EMGS
Let’s start with the names you’ll most often encounter. These providers work directly with EMGS and Malaysian educational institutions. Their policies are tailored for student health needs — and more importantly, for compliance.
1. Great Eastern Takaful Berhad (GETB)
A popular Shariah-compliant provider, GETB is widely recognized in Malaysia and offers various levels of coverage (Silver, Gold, Platinum) through EMGS. Their student plans often cover:
- Inpatient care (hospital stays and surgery)
- Outpatient visits
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Personal accident coverage
2. Etiqa Family Takaful Berhad (EFTB)
Another Shariah-compliant insurer, EFTB is known for accessible digital tools and good hospital networks. Their EMGS-linked student plans cover:
- Hospitalization
- Specialist consultations
- Emergency treatment
- Repatriation
3. The Pacific Insurance Berhad (TPIB)
TPIB offers comprehensive student medical plans with emphasis on inpatient and outpatient benefits. Known for their reliability and strong partnership with universities, their plans usually include:
- Surgical coverage
- Daycare procedures
- Diagnostic tests
- Personal liability coverage
4. Tokio Marine Insurance Malaysia
Although not as widely used as the others, some Malaysian universities list Tokio Marine as an accepted provider. Their student plans often have international hospital network access and strong critical care coverage.
Note: The specific benefits, claim processes, and premium costs can vary depending on your school and study duration. Always check the fine print.
💼 What Do These Student Plans Typically Cover?
The coverage is standardized to a degree. Most EMGS-approved plans fall into categories like:
| Tier | Annual Limit (RM) | Inpatient | Outpatient | Emergency Evacuation | Personal Accident |
| Silver | RM 20,000–30,000 | ✅ | Basic | ✅ | ✅ |
| Gold | RM 40,000–60,000 | ✅ | Moderate | ✅ | ✅ |
| Platinum | RM 80,000–100,000+ | ✅ | Comprehensive | ✅ | ✅ |
Coverage includes:
- Hospital room and board (typically capped at RM 150–300 per day)
- Surgical fees
- Outpatient general practitioner visits (sometimes with co-payment)
- Diagnostics, scans, and lab tests
- Ambulance and emergency transport
- Repatriation of remains (in worst-case scenarios)
Some policies also include mental health consultations, dental care, and vision benefits, but these are usually limited or excluded from base plans.
🌍 Want Broader Coverage? International Plans to Consider
Some students — especially those coming from Europe, the U.S., or the Middle East — prefer international health insurance plans. These are often used by expats, but can also benefit students who:
- Travel frequently
- Have pre-existing conditions
- Want higher annual limits
- Prefer access to private hospitals with no upfront payment
⚠️ Important: International insurance does not replace the mandatory local insurance unless explicitly approved by EMGS and your university.
Top International Insurers Operating in Malaysia:
| Provider | Known For | Acceptability | Notes |
| AIA | Strong local and regional coverage | Conditional | Best used as supplemental |
| Allianz | Wide network, digital claims | Conditional | Check if using Allianz Malaysia branch |
| AXA (AXA Affin) | Previously partnered with EMGS | Discontinued | Old student plan phased out |
| Bupa Global | Premium expat coverage | Not EMGS | Excellent top-up but pricey |
| Cigna Global | Flexible expat/student packages | Not EMGS | Highly rated globally |
| GeoBlue | U.S. based, ideal for North Americans | Not EMGS | Global reach but high cost |
| IMG Global | Budget-friendly international plans | Not EMGS | Includes travel-related coverage |
| MSIG | Malaysian insurer with expat options | Conditional | Good digital tools |
| Prudential | Long-standing Malaysian provider | Conditional | Some student plans available |
| William Russell | Global expat and business traveler focus | Not EMGS | Best for families or longer stays |
✅ Your Next Steps: How to Choose Smartly
1. Speak to Your Institution First
This cannot be stressed enough. Your university’s international student office will have a clear list of approved insurers and policy requirements.
They may offer:
- In-house enrolment (automated insurance purchase)
- A portal to choose between EMGS-approved providers
- Links to mandatory documents and deadlines
If they manage everything on your behalf, your job becomes much easier.
2. Understand Your Mandatory Coverage
Make sure you know the minimum coverage required. Generally, the following is expected:
- RM 20,000 or more in annual medical limit
- Inpatient and outpatient coverage
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Personal accident benefit
If your plan misses any of these, your student visa may be denied.
3. Explore Top-Up or Supplemental Coverage
If your mandatory plan is limited (which is often the case), consider adding a private international policy. This gives you peace of mind, especially if you:
- Prefer private hospitals
- Want faster appointments
- Need coverage for mental health or chronic conditions
- Plan to travel across Southeast Asia
But again: supplemental means in addition to, not instead of, your required local plan.
4. Compare Carefully
Here’s what to look for in any insurance plan:
| Feature | What to Check |
| Annual / Lifetime Limit | RM 20,000 minimum is required, but RM 50,000+ is ideal |
| Inpatient Coverage | Should include hospital room, surgery, ICU, medications |
| Outpatient Services | General practitioners, diagnostics, specialist visits |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Many plans exclude or limit this – confirm before buying |
| Cashless Network | Does the insurer have partner hospitals where you don’t pay? |
| Emergency Services | Includes ambulance, evacuation, and repatriation |
| Claims Process | Look for online portals or app-based submission |
📎 Pro Tip: Documentation Checklist
Here’s what you’ll likely need for insurance verification with EMGS or your institution:
- Insurance certificate (PDF)
- Policy wording or summary of benefits
- Proof of purchase or payment receipt
- Passport copy
- Offer letter or enrolment letter from your university
Keep digital and printed copies with you — at least two.
📝Pro Tips:
Health insurance may feel like another administrative headache. But in reality, it’s your lifeline while living abroad. Getting sick or injured in a foreign country is scary — don’t make it worse by going uninsured or underinsured.
If you’re still unsure where to start:
- Ask your university first
- Only use EMGS-approved insurers for your student visa
- Consider top-up plans for better peace of mind
- Compare all features, not just price
Remember, you’re not just buying a policy — you’re buying security.
📚 Sources:
- Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS): www.educationmalaysia.gov.my
- Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE): www.mohe.gov.my
- Provider websites: Great Eastern Takaful, Etiqa, TPIB, AIA, Cigna, Allianz, Bupa Global
- CompareHero.my, iMoney.my, RinggitPlus.com (for insurance comparison insights)
