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Malaysian Entry & Visa Requirements
Anyone entering Malaysia must possess valid national passports or other internationally recognized travel documents, valid for travel to Malaysia.
These passports or travel documents must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the date of entry into Malaysia. Any person not in possession of a passport or travel document which is recognized by the Malaysian Government must first obtain a Document in lieu of Passport which can be made at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad.
Holders of Travel Documents such as the Certificate of Identity, Laisser Passer, Titre de Voyage, or a Country’s Certificate of Permanent Residence must ensure that their return to the country which issued the document or the country of residence is guaranteed. The documents should be valid for more than six (6) months from the date of entry into Malaysia.
Compiled below is a list of the common – and important – things you need to know about Malaysian Entry Requirements, to make your first impression of the country as pleasant as possible.
For updates and more detailed information, visit the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official website, www.kln.gov.my.
What are the entry requirements for Malaysia?
An internationally-recognized passport or travel document and if required, a visa to enter the country. The documents should be valid for more than six (6) months from the date of entry into Malaysia.
Note: All visitors must have proof of sufficient funds and a valid return air ticket. Applications and enquiries are to be made to Malaysian High Commission.
Who requires a visa?
If the period of visitation is less than one (1) month and the purpose of the visit is business or social, visitors from most countries do not require a visa to enter Malaysia.
Nationals from the following countries, however, are required to have a visa at all times: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, China (PR), Congo (Rep), Congo (Dem Rep), Cǒte D’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Liberia, Mali, Myanmar, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Western Sahara. Nationals of these countries may be granted a visa exemption for transit through Malaysia for less than 5 days via a Malaysian international airport, if in possession of confirmed onward airline tickets to a third country before arriving. British Overseas Citizens are required to have a visa at all times.
What types of visas are there?
There are three (3) types of visas for entry to Malaysia:
Single Entry Visas are issued to foreign nationals who are in Malaysia for a social visit. Usually it is for single entry only and valid for 3 months from date of issue.
Multiple Entry Visas are used for visits that are business or government-to-government related matters. A Multiple Entry Visa is valid from three (3) to twelve (12) months from the date of issue. Foreign nationals from India and the People’s Republic of China can apply for Multiple Entry Visas if they wish to enter Malaysia for Social Visit purposes. A Multiple Entry Visa is valid for a maximum of one (1) year only. Each entry allows the holder to remain in Malaysia up to 30 days, and extension of stay is not permitted. The conditions of Multiple Entry Visa are that applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to remain in Malaysia without recourse to public funds, and possess valid and confirmed return tickets. Group tour entourages are not eligible for Multiple Entry Visas. Multiple Entry Visas, subject to approval, cost RM50 per visa for Indian citizens and RM30 per via for citizens of the People’s Republic of China.
A Transit Visa is required for foreign nationals on transit to other countries. Those on transit who are not leaving the airport precincts and who continue the journey to their destinations on the same flight do not require a Transit Visa.
Nationals of these countries do not require visas for social or business visits:
- Nationals of European Union (EU) countries; for stays of up to 3 months (except nationals of Ireland for stays of up to 2 months and Greece and Portugal for stays of up to 1 month);
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries (except nationals of those countries mentioned above who require a visa) for stays of up to 1 month; nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa for up to 3 months;
- Nationals of Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, Jordan, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA and Yemen for stays of up to 3 months;
- Nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Palestine, Syria and holders of a Portuguese Certificate of Identity or a Macao Travel Permit for stays of up to 14 days;
- Nationals of all countries other than those mentioned above for stays of up to 1 month;
- Travellers on transit to another country, for less than 5 days, with a confirmed ticket via a Malaysian airport.
Note: Nationals of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka must apply for a visa from the consulate, embassy or Malaysian Immigration Department in their countries of residence. Visitors intending to stay longer than the period granted should write to the Immigration Department at the Malaysian High Commission in the country in which they are applying.
Restricted entry: Nationals of Israel, the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro (unless in transit and staying inside the airport). Women who are at least 6 months pregnant (unless in transit) and those of scruffy appearance may be denied entry.
How do I apply for a visa?
The visa application must be made at any Malaysian Representative Office Abroad. Alternatively, an application can be made at the British Embassy or British High Commissioner’s Office, if there is no Malaysian Representative Office in the country where the application is to be made. Applications can also be made online through the I-Visa system for tourists from Chennai and New Delhi, India, or Shanghai, China only.
How do I apply for a Visa Without Reference?
The documents required to apply for a Visa Without Reference (approval of visa is given by the High Commission of Malaysia) are:
- Original Passport
- Two (2) photocopies of passport
- Two (2) photocopies of visa application form (Form IMM.47)
- Two (2) passport size photograph of applicant
- Original air ticket and two (2) photocopies (confirmed and returned air ticket)
- Bank statement/traveller’s cheques
- Invitation letter from related/pertinent party based in Malaysia (if any)
- Payment of visa fee
Note: Visa Without Reference is required for Social Visit purposes
How do I apply for a Visa With Reference?
The documents required to apply for a Visa With Reference (visa will be issued after the application has been referred to and approved by the Department of Immigration Malaysia/other authority agencies) are:
- Original approval letter from the Department of Immigration Malaysia / other authority agencies and two(2) photocopies of this letter
- Original passport
- Two (2) photocopies of passport
- Two (2) photocopies of visa application form (Form IMM.47)
- Two (2) passport size photograph of applicant
- Original air ticket and two (2) photocopies
- Payment of visa fee
Note: Visa With Reference is required for students, employment purposes, dependents and professional visit pass.
What is the cost of a visa?
As prices are subject to change, enquire at the nearest Malaysian High Commission or Malaysian Embassy, or in the absence of both, the nearest British High Commission or British Embassy for details.
How long is the visa valid for?
The permitted length of stay is entered on the visa at the time of issue, and is at the discretion of the issuer. A visa is normally valid from one (1) to three (3) months from the date of issue, although extensions are possible. Enquire at the Malaysian High Commission or Malaysian Embassy for further details.
Can I work in Malaysia?
Those wishing to take up employment in Malaysia should apply for a job in advance. Their prospective employers should then apply for a Special Pass for Employment (Temporary Residence) - on their behalf - for a Professional or Employment Pass by contacting the Malaysian Immigration Head Office, Block 1, Pusat Bandar Damansara, Bukit Damansara, 50550 Kuala Lumpur (Tel: (603) 2094 5096; Fax (603) 20939092). For further details, contact the Malaysian High Commission or Malaysian Embassy nearest to you.
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