Malaysia: Entry Rules for VisitorsLast check:Last update:Data statusLast check:Last update:
Malaysia:Visa Requirement Map
Explore which nationalities need a visa to enter this country and which can enter visa-free.
Malaysia: Visa and entry documents and requirements
Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.
Visa-Free Entry Requirements
- The traveler must carry a genuine and usable passport or accepted travel document valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Malaysia.
- Visa-free entry does not guarantee admission to the country. The traveler must be able to explain the purpose of travel, show a confirmed return or onward ticket, and demonstrate sufficient financial means during the stay. An immigration officer may request hotel reservation, accommodation address, invitation or sponsor document, and travel itinerary.
- Foreign travelers not covered by an official exemption must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card application online within the three-day period prior to the planned arrival. Personal information, passport details, and travel and arrival information must be correctly declared in the form. MDAC is not a visa or electronic travel authorization and does not alone confer the right of entry.
- Travelers arriving from a place with risk of yellow fever transmission must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at entry.
- The duration of the short-term social visit permit granted upon entry in the passport must not be exceeded. Since the maximum permitted stay varies according to the regulation applicable to the traveler and the entry permit granted at the border, there is no single universal period for all visa-exempt travelers.
E-Visa Application Requirements
- The e-visa application must be made online only through the official MYVISA portal. The applicant must create an account, enter information that completely matches the identity details in the passport, select the option appropriate to the purpose of travel and visa type, and upload the document list generated by the system. Since the document list may change after nationality, place of residence, purpose of travel and application category are selected, there is no single universal checklist.
- For non-referenced e-visa applications, generally a studio-taken passport photo, the biographical information page of the passport, the page showing the previous passport number if any, round-trip or onward flight ticket, paid accommodation or hotel reservation, proof of financial sufficiency, and other supporting documents when required are uploaded. A birth certificate may be requested from minor applicants.
- For referenced e-visa applications, the VDR, eVDR or eVAL approval document issued by the Malaysian Immigration Department, passport biographical information page, page showing the previous passport number if any, financial sufficiency document, and other documents specific to the application category must be submitted.
- The passport must be valid for more than six months at the travel date. Physical documents are not sent during the application; documents are uploaded electronically. The immigration authority may request presentation of original documents at entry or additional verification.
- The photograph must measure 35 × 50 millimeters, the face must be clearly visible from chin to top of head, and headgear must not be used except for religious or medical necessity. A studio-taken photograph must be submitted; a selfie or a photograph scanned from another document must not be used. Current technical specifications regarding file format, file size and background must be applied according to the upload instructions on the application screen.
- The application fee is calculated on the portal according to the visa type and the applicant's status. Payment can be made by credit card or supported electronic wallets. Paid fees are non-refundable.
- The standard processing time is two to seven business days. Weekends, official holidays in Malaysia, holidays at the applicant's location, incomplete documents, additional checks, and system issues beyond control are not included in this period. Therefore the application must be completed sufficiently in advance of travel.
- The approved e-visa is generally valid for six months from the date of issuance. The validity of the e-visa in the foreign worker category may be limited to three months. In a multiple-entry e-visa, a maximum stay of 30 days per entry is permitted. The single or multiple entry entitlement, the permitted purpose of travel and the maximum stay are shown on the issued eVISA Note.
- At entry, a passport or travel document valid for at least six months, a printed copy of the e-visa or a digital eVISA Note, a boarding pass, a return or onward flight ticket, proof of accommodation, and financial sufficiency documents when required must be presented. The issuance of the e-visa does not guarantee admission to the country; the final decision rests with the Malaysian immigration officer at the border.
- These documents may be requested according to the application type or the personalized checklist generated by the system.
Visa on Arrival Requirements
- Visa on arrival is granted only to travelers who meet the official eligibility conditions, at designated travel itineraries and authorized entry points. The traveler must prove the prior or onward travel itinerary required by the program and, when necessary, a valid visa or residence status for the relevant third country. Eligibility for visa on arrival varies according to passport and travel itinerary.
- The traveler must carry a passport valid for at least six months at the date of entry, present a confirmed return or onward ticket, and demonstrate financial means of at least 500 US dollars in cash or equivalent in Malaysian ringgit.
- The visa on arrival fee is RM200. The traveler must verify the payment facilities at the entry point to be used before travel.
- Visa on arrival is issued for short-term social visit purposes and the maximum permitted stay is 15 days. It should be noted that the visa can only be issued at designated airport, port or land border points.
- Travelers not covered by an official exemption must complete the MDAC form within the three-day period prior to the planned arrival. Travelers arriving from a place with risk of yellow fever must also present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.
- The border officer may request additional documents and may refuse the visa on arrival or entry request if it is determined that the entry conditions are not met.
Consular Visa Application Requirements
- The consular visa application must be made through the Malaysian embassy, high commission, consulate or application center authorized by that mission responsible for the applicant's place of residence. The application method used, the appointment system and the document list may vary according to the mission.
- The applicant must complete the IMM.47 form or another form specific to the application category in full and, if required, sign it, in accordance with the instructions of the relevant mission. The original of a passport or accepted travel document valid for at least six months and a copy of the biographical information page must be submitted. Some missions may also request a copy of additional pages of the passport or a residence permit showing legal residence in the place of application.
- There is no separate and universal published technical standard for all missions regarding a damaged passport, biometric passport or machine-readable passport.
- A recent passport-sized photograph must be submitted. The number of photographs, size, background color and date of taking vary according to the mission. Some missions require one 35 × 50 millimeter color photograph while others require two passport photographs. The current checklist of the mission applied to must be taken as a basis.
- Depending on the purpose of travel, a confirmed round-trip or onward ticket, hotel reservation or other proof of accommodation, travel itinerary and document of sufficient financial means may be submitted. The period the bank statement must cover and the minimum amount that must be in the account vary according to the mission and application type.
- Employers' letter, salary slip or leave letter may be requested from employees; student certificate from students; company registration and business activity documents from company owners. These documents are not universal for all visa types and are determined according to the purpose of travel.
- In applications using an invitation or sponsor, an invitation letter, copy of the inviting party's identity document or passport, document showing their legal status in Malaysia, address and contact information, purpose of travel, planned dates of stay, accommodation arrangement and, if any, financial support commitment may be requested. The sponsor's income document, tax document or bank statements may be requested according to the application category.
- For employment, education, family reunification or other purposes requiring prior approval, VDR, eVDR or eVAL approval must be obtained from the Malaysian Immigration Department before the visa application. The approval letter and documents specific to the relevant category, such as sponsor, employer, education institution or family relation documents, must be submitted during the application.
- In VDR applications, forms IMM.12, IMM.38 or IMM.47 according to category, sponsor identity document, passport copies, recent photographs, marriage or birth certificate, divorce or death certificate, document proving family relationship, sponsor undertaking, financial support document, guarantee bond and statutory declaration may be requested. Some documents may require certified translation, notarization or another official approval. These documents are mandatory only for the relevant VDR category.
- From minor applicants, a birth certificate, passport or identity copies of parents, custody document and consent from the non-traveling parent may be requested. The exact list is determined according to the mission applied to and the child's travel arrangement.
- The mission may request additional documents, original documents, in-person application, biometric verification or an interview.
- The visa fee varies according to the visa type and the applicant's status. In the central fee table, single-entry, multiple-entry and transit visa fees are shown separately. The mission or authorized application center may also apply a service fee. The accepted payment method and fee refund conditions vary according to the place of application.
- A single-entry consular visa is normally valid for three months from the date of issuance. A multiple-entry visa may generally be valid for three to twelve months; each entry permits a stay of up to 30 days and no extension is granted for this period. The validity date, number of entries, purpose of travel and stay conditions on the issued visa must be taken as a basis.
- The current processing time and appointment schedule of the mission applied to must be applied.
Transit Visa Requirements
- A transit visa is issued for travelers who require a visa to enter Malaysia and will pass through Malaysian immigration control while continuing to another destination. If the traveler continues to the next destination on the same flight without leaving the airport transit area, a transit visa is not required.
- A transit visa may be required if leaving the airport, passing through immigration control, collecting and rechecking baggage, or if the transfer requires formal entry into the country. The traveler must present a passport or travel document valid for at least six months, a confirmed onward flight ticket and a detailed transit itinerary. If a visa or other entry authorization is required for the next destination, it must also be valid.
- If formal entry into Malaysia will take place, sufficient financial means, proof of short-term accommodation when required, and MDAC registration may be requested. Travelers arriving from a place with risk of yellow fever must carry a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.
- The transit visa fee is determined in the central fee table according to the applicant's status. The personalized checklist of the mission applied to or the online system must be applied.