The factors influencing international students’ intention to work in Malaysia

Malaysia has positioned itself as a regional education hub and continues to attract a growing number of international students from diverse national backgrounds. Beyond academic pursuits, many international students consider post study employment as an important component of their overseas education experience. However, international students’ intention to work in Malaysia after graduation remains inconsistent and is influenced by multiple factors. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to identify the influence of three factors (economic opportunity, social influence, and perceived employability) toward international students’ intention to work in Malaysia. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected through a structured online questionnaire administered to international students enrolled in Malaysian higher education institutions. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27, with techniques including descriptive statistics, reliability analysis (Cronbach’s alpha), Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression to test the hypothesized relationships among the constructs. The findings show that economic opportunity, social influence, and perceived employability have positive relationship with international students’ intention to work in Malaysia. The results of the study provide actionable insights for strengthening Malaysia’s talent retention strategies and improving its appeal as a destination for global talent. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) explaining these determinants factors are crucial and impact to policymakers, universities, and employers seeking to enhance international graduate retention.