Relocating Expat Guide: Malaysia School Planning

A practical landing page for families moving to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or Johor Bahru.

1) Start with Curriculum Fit

Choose a pathway first, then shortlist neighborhoods and schools. This usually saves time during relocation planning.

Cambridge IGCSE Pathway

Approx. 341 matching schools

British Curriculum (Non-IB)

Approx. 295 matching schools

Islamic + International Hybrid

Approx. 75 matching schools

Montessori Pathways

Approx. 43 matching schools

American Curriculum

Approx. 40 matching schools

IB (International Baccalaureate)

Approx. 32 matching schools

2) City-by-City School Planning

Kuala Lumpur

Approx. 149 schools in directory for this area keyword set.

Browse all schools

Popular Family Areas

  • Mont Kiara
  • Bangsar
  • Desa ParkCity
  • Ampang

Local Planning Tips

  • Expect heavier peak-hour traffic; shortlist schools close to home or office.
  • Ask each school about bus routes, waitlists, and entry points for your child's year group.
MRC JSP Alam Damai

Address: 106, Jln Damai Raya 2, Alam Damai, 56000 Cheras, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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SAGE International Islamic School

Address: 1-2 & 1-3, Block C, Platinum Walk, 2, Jln Langkawi, Setapak, 53300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Islamic, Cambridge

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Sri Sempurna International School

Address: 2A, Jalan Selasih, Taman Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

British, Cambridge, IGCSE

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KYS KL East International School (KYSKLEIS)

Address: 2, Persiaran Melati Kuarza, KL East, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

British, IGCSE

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Northern Kuala Lumpur International College Kepong (formerly known as Pintar College)

Address: Unit 01-01, United Point, 10, Jalan Lang Emas, Taman Segambut Aman, 51200 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

ACCA, LCCI, Accounting, Management, Marketing, Early Childhood Education, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Real Estate Management

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Glory Academy International

Address: 14, Jalan Siput Akek, Taman Billion, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

International Curriculum, Competence-based curriculum

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French School of Kuala Lumpur (LFKL)

Address: 34, Jalan Dutamas Raya, Segambut, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

French

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Pristine International School （朴瑞国际学校）

Address: 728 &730 Batu 4 1,2, Jln Ipoh, Taman Bamboo, 51200 WPKL, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

British, IGCSE, A-Levels

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Penang

Approx. 126 schools in directory for this area keyword set.

Browse all schools

Popular Family Areas

  • Tanjung Tokong
  • Tanjung Bungah
  • Batu Ferringhi
  • Bayan Lepas

Local Planning Tips

  • Bridge crossings can affect commute times if you live on the mainland and school on the island.
  • Many families compare schooling options between George Town corridor and southern tech hubs.
Prince of Wales Island International School (POWIIS)

Address: 1, Jln Sungai Air Putih 6, Bandar Baru Air Putih, 11000 Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang

British Curriculum, IGCSE, A-Levels

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Prince of Wales Island International School (POWIIS Middle School)

Address: 88, Jalan Loh Poh Heng, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang

British Curriculum

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Corrington Premium Preschool

Address: No. 71, Ground Flr, 1st Floor & 2nd Floor Bayan Bay Island Pulau Pinang MY, Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900, Penang

Early Years, Montessori-inspired, Play-based

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Pusat Bimbingan Saw

Address: Lot 1.05 & 1.06, Choo Plaza, 41, Lorong Abu Siti, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Primary and Secondary Malaysian National Curriculum tuition

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Stonyhurst International School Penang | British International School | Best British School Penang

Address: 3, Jalan Seri Tg Pinang, Bandar Tanjung Pinang, 10470 Tanjung Tokong, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

British (IGCSE, A-Levels)

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Straits International School Penang

Address: 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang

Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels

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Sri KDU International School, Penang

Address: Pusat Komersial, 2, Persiaran Mutiara 5, Bandar Tasek Mutiara, 14120 Simpang Ampat, Penang

British EYFS framework, Cambridge Primary, National Curriculum for England, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS, A Levels

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Fairview International School, Penang Campus

Address: Tingkat Bukit Jambul 1, Bukit Jambul, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang

IB (PYP, MYP, DP)

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Johor Bahru

Approx. 75 schools in directory for this area keyword set.

Browse all schools

Popular Family Areas

  • Iskandar Puteri
  • Nusajaya
  • Johor Bahru City
  • Tebrau

Local Planning Tips

  • If cross-border travel is part of your routine, factor in immigration queue variability.
  • Check school calendars and exam boards early if you may transfer to or from Singapore systems.
A&O Centre Of Excellence

Address: 48, Jalan Sutera Merah 3, Taman Sutera, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia

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100 Lambs International School & Preschool

Address: PTD 68152, Jln Persisiran Sutera Danga 1, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia

Cambridge, IGCSE, International Primary Curriculum

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QMO Muar (QMO International Beauty Academy Muar)

Address: 82-48, First Floor, Jalan Bakri 2, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 84000 Muar, Johor, Malaysia

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Kunkwan International Mandarin Training Center

Address: Tebrau City Residence Apartment, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia

Foundation, Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced, Professional Mandarin Courses, HSK exams preparation

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Alpha Omega Resources Academy

Address: Level 1, 25, Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir, Taman Abad, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia

Classical, Christ-centered education, K-12

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E - Access International College

Address: 470-476, Jalan Kenanga 29/13, Bandar Indahpura, 81000 Kulai, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia

JPK, Automotive, Welding, Electrical, Information System Administration

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Crescendo International College

Address: Jln Lbh Cemerlang, Taman Desa Cemerlang, 81800 Ulu Tiram, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia

A-Levels , Foundation in Business, Diploma in Business, Diploma in Computer Science, Diploma in Airline Services, Diploma in Tourism Management, Diploma in Culinary Arts, University of London Degree Programmes (BSc Accounting & Finance, BSc Business & Management, Bachelor of Laws (LLB), BSc Computer Science), ACCA, Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification (SCAQ)

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UTM INTERNATIONAL, UTM Johor Bahru

Address: BLOK S19 UTM Johor Bahru, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia

Engineering, Science, Technology, Bachelor, Master, PhD

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3) Visa & Pass Context (Official Sources)

Student Pass (Child as Principal)

  • Malaysia Immigration states foreigners pursuing education in Malaysia generally require a Student Pass.
  • For school-going children, applications are commonly coordinated through the institution and relevant immigration channels.
  • Requirements vary by nationality, institution type, and where the application starts (inside/outside Malaysia).
Official: Immigration Student Pass

Parent / Legal Guardian Accompaniment

  • There is no single one-size-fits-all route; parent accompaniment depends on the family's primary immigration category.
  • If a parent holds an expatriate work-related pass, dependants are typically handled through ESD/MYXpats pathways.
  • If the child is the principal student pass holder, families should confirm with the school and Immigration on the appropriate guardian/long-term social visit arrangement for the accompanying adult.
Official: ESD / MYXpats Official: Immigration Dependent Pass Official: Long-Term Social Visit Pass

4) Dependent Pass Deep-Dive (Family Accompaniment)

Need a full standalone walkthrough? Open the dedicated page for easier sharing and SEO targeting.

Open Dedicated Dependent Pass Guide

Who It Is Usually For

  • Family members of a principal pass holder (for example, certain employment or study pathways).
  • Most commonly spouse and children, subject to the current immigration category rules.
  • Pass validity is typically linked to the principal pass validity period.

Typical Supporting Documents

  • Passports, passport photos, and completed application forms.
  • Relationship documents (for example marriage or birth certificates).
  • Principal pass holder documentation and institution/employer paperwork where required.
  • Additional records may be requested depending on nationality, age, and category.

Application Flow (General)

  1. Confirm the correct family pathway with your employer/school admissions team.
  2. Prepare and certify required documents in the required format.
  3. Submit through the relevant channel (Immigration/ESD/education-related channel) based on category.
  4. Complete payment, medical checks, and endorsement steps where applicable.
  5. Track approval and keep copies of issued pass/endorsement records.

Work & Study Notes

  • Dependent categories may have work restrictions.
  • If employment is planned, a separate work-authorized pass may be required.
  • Children can usually continue schooling once the right pass status is in place.

Reference Links

You asked to model this section after MalaysiaVisa's dependent pass explainer; this page uses that structure but rewrites the content and anchors core actions to official portals.

Structure reference: MalaysiaVisa Dependent Pass Official: Immigration Dependent Pass Official: ESD / MYXpats

5) MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) — General Overview

  • MM2H is a long-stay programme under Malaysia's tourism administration framework and offers a renewable social visit route for eligible participants.
  • The official MM2H portal currently describes programme categories such as Platinum, Gold, Silver, and SEZ/SFZ with differing criteria.
  • MM2H is often considered by families seeking medium- to long-term residence planning, including schooling continuity.
Official MM2H Website MM2H Guidelines MOTAC Official Portal

6) Parent & Guardian Prep Checklist

Documents to Prepare Early

  • Child's passport validity, birth certificate, and school offer/admission documentation.
  • Parent/guardian identity and relationship documents (including legalized copies where requested).
  • Academic transcripts, immunization/medical records, and prior school transfer paperwork.

Questions to Ask Admissions

  • Which pass workflow is used for our family profile and who files each step?
  • Typical timeline from offer letter to travel readiness and passport endorsement.
  • What happens if arrival date, school start date, or housing handover changes?

7) First 60 Days Checklist

Before Arrival

  • Confirm curriculum and target year level before choosing housing.
  • Request admissions timelines, assessment requirements, and waitlist status.
  • Prepare documents: passports, transcripts, immunization records, and reference letters.
  • Budget for one-time setup costs (deposits, uniforms, books, transport, activities).

After Arrival

  • Run real-world commute tests on weekday peak traffic before finalizing home location.
  • Finalize bus, canteen, EAL support, and extracurricular registration early.
  • Book campus tours and ask about academic transition support for mid-year entry.
  • Track pass expiry and endorsement dates in a shared family calendar.

8) Useful Official Portals

Immigration Student Pass Immigration Dependent Pass Long-Term Social Visit Pass ESD / MYXpats EMGS Student Visa Portal MM2H Official Website

Important Disclaimer

  • Immigration, guardian/dependent pass, and MM2H policies may change without notice.
  • This page is general planning information only and not legal or immigration advice.
  • Always verify eligibility, latest criteria, fees, and required documents with official authorities and your child\'s admissions office before making relocation or financial commitments.