Hello. I’m the author, currently living an education migration life in Malaysia.
Recently, I’ve received a series of consultations from people considering education migration. The content was truly fascinating.
“I want to enroll my child in Saori International School in Malaysia…”
Upon hearing the school name, I couldn’t help but say, “Wait a moment.” This is because that school might not accept students with certain visa types.
The Surprisingly Unknown Relationship Between Visas and Schools
When considering education migration, many people start with choosing a school. Curriculum, tuition, location, reputation… These are indeed important.
But, hold on a second.
Actually, among Malaysia’s international schools, some do not accept enrollments depending on the type of visa. This is a fact that’s surprisingly not well-known.
If you’re thinking, “I just want to get overseas for now!” it might not be a problem. But if you have a clear desire like, “I want my child to attend this specific school!” you need to be careful.
I’ve personally witnessed a case where an acquaintance couldn’t enroll in their desired school. They came on an MM2H visa, but the school only accepted employment visas or student guardian visas.
Key Points for Choosing a Visa
The main long-term stay visas for Malaysia include the following:
- MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home)
- Employment Visa
- Student Guardian Visa
- Digital Nomad Visa (DE Rantau)
Each has its own conditions and constraints. Some schools set restrictions like “employment visa only” or “MM2H not accepted.”
This is partly due to the schools’ circumstances. Depending on the visa type, reporting obligations to the Ministry of Education differ, and the complexity of procedures varies.
Life Support Systems Are Also Crucial
Now, let’s say you successfully obtain a visa and enroll in your desired school. The next reality waiting for you is “daily life.”
The other day, I was asked, “How do you go about finding a maid?” Indeed, this is also an important issue.
There are mainly three ways to hire a maid in Malaysia:
- Introduction from an acquaintance
This is the most reliable method. If it’s a referral from someone who is actually employing them, you can get a sense of their character and feel more secure. - Introduction through an agency
Since a professional agency acts as an intermediary, there are fewer contractual issues. However, there is an agency fee. - Searching through specialized websites
Recently, websites where you can find maids online have increased. While there are many options, careful discernment is necessary.
I myself met a wonderful maid through an introduction from a friend. My children have grown attached to her, and she’s been a tremendous help.
Changes to the Duty-Free System for Temporary Returns Starting 2026
And there’s another important change.
Starting April 2026, the duty-free system for temporary returns by overseas residents will change. Until now, you could purchase goods duty-free and ship them overseas ahead of time.
However, under the new system, this method will no longer be available.
“Wait, isn’t that quite inconvenient?”
Yes, exactly. This will have a significant impact, especially for those who used to purchase and send large quantities of Japanese products.
I also used to buy children’s school supplies and Japanese food ingredients in bulk during my temporary returns several times a year. Being able to purchase them duty-free and send them ahead was incredibly convenient.
It seems more planned shopping will be necessary in the future.
Education Migration is “Comprehensive Life Planning”
When it comes to education migration, the focus tends to be solely on “education.” But in reality, there are mountains of things to consider: visas, housing, life support, tax systems, and more.
Especially for business owners, travel to and from Japan for business is likely frequent. In such cases, tax system changes can have a significant economic impact.
What I want to convey is the “importance of preparation.”
Which visas does your desired school accept? How will you secure life support? How will you respond to tax system changes?
By researching and preparing for these things in advance, you can achieve a smooth education migration.
Finally
Education migration is an investment in your child’s future. But at the same time, it’s also a major decision that affects the quality of life for the entire family.
The key to success is not a “let’s just go for it” approach, but solid preparation and information gathering.
Even just the type of visa can greatly impact your subsequent life. There are various methods even for hiring a single maid. Knowing about tax changes early allows you to plan countermeasures.
Education migration is indeed a wonderful option. Our family is truly glad we made this decision.
But that’s only possible with sufficient preparation.
For those considering education migration from now on, please make a plan that looks not just at “education” but at “life as a whole.” If you do, a fulfilling life overseas surely awaits.
Next time, I’d like to introduce a specific checklist to avoid mistakes when choosing a visa.
Until then!
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