Malaysia is one of the most popular travel destinations in Southeast Asia, attracting thousands of tourists every year, thanks to its fantastic nature, rich culture and developed infrastructure. Find out what entry rules to Malaysia are relevant this year

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Ready to explore Malaysia’s vibrant cities, lush rainforests, and stunning beaches? This incredible country combines modern sophistication with natural beauty, so it’s worth visiting this gem of Southeast Asia at least once in your life. Read more about the current entry regulations for Malaysia in this article.

Visa-free travel to Malaysia

Representatives of most countries in the world are entitled to visa-free entry to Malaysia for a period of 14 to 90 days (this requirement varies depending on the expat’s nationality).

- Citizens of which countries are entitled to visa-free entry to Malaysia?

1. Visa-free entry to Malaysia for a stay of up to 90 days is granted to citizens of the following countries: all European Union Member States, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Egypt, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Maldives, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sudan, Syria, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and Yemen.

2. Holders of passports issued by the following jurisdictions are granted visa-free entry to Malaysia for 30 days: ASEAN member countries (except Myanmar), Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Comoros, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iraq, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Namibia, Nauru, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican, Venezuela, Philippines, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

3. Holders of the following passports are entitled to visa-free entry to Malaysia for a period of up to 14 days: Iran, Libya.

4. In addition, holders of travel permits to the Macau Special Administrative Region are granted visa-free entry for 14 days regardless of their citizenship.

- Visa-free travel requirements for Malaysia

In order to be eligible for visa-free entry to Malaysia, a foreigner must have:

1. Passport, passport replacement document, or travel document valid for at least 6 months at the time of arrival.

2. Return ticket.

3. Confirm that there are sufficient funds to stay in Malaysia.

4. Not be an illegal immigrant.

5. Yellow fever vaccination certificate (requirement applies to citizens of certain countries).

Electronic Visa (e-Visa) to Malaysian

To promote tourism, the Malaysian government has approved a new online system for accepting applications for electronic visas (eVISA) on March 1, 2017.

- Citizens of the following countries can apply for an electronic visa:

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Colombia, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kosovo, Liberia, Mali, Montenegro, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Serbia, Sri Lanka

- Basic conditions for granting an e-Visa in Malaysia:

The permitted period of stay in Malaysia under an e-Visa is 30 days.

The validity of the e-Visa is 6 months.

- How to apply for an e-Visa in Malaysia:

You can apply for an e-Visa on the official e-Visa portal in Malaysia.

At the time of application, you need to scan and upload the following documents:

1. A recent studio passport photograph.

2. Passport page containing the applicant’s biodata with a validity of at least 6 months on the date of travel.

3. Confirmed return flight booking.

4. Birth certificate for minor applicants.

5. Proof of residence.

6. Other relevant supporting documents.

Each of your e-VISA applications is subject to approval by the Malaysian High Commission/Embassy/Representative Office abroad and will be processed within 2 working days. Please note that if your e-VISA application is in doubt, you will be required to provide relevant supporting documents or be called for an interview by an officer of the Malaysian High Commission/Embassy/Mission abroad or via video conference.

You will receive a response to the email address you provided. Once you receive your A4 e-VISA, you will need to print it out.

Important! The printout of your e-VISA is very important and must be presented upon arrival at the point of entry into Malaysia.

- How much does an e-VISA cost in Malaysia?

The processing fee is RM105.00 (USD23).

- List of documents required for entry into Malaysia with an e-VISA:

1. Passport/valid travel document.

2. Valid printed e-VISA.

3. Boarding pass.

4. Sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in Malaysia (cash/traveler’s cheque/debit or credit card/e-wallet recognised by the Malaysian government).

5. Confirmed return ticket.

6. Proof of residence.

7. Other relevant supporting documents.

Important! In addition to tourism purposes, representatives of certain countries are eligible to obtain a student e-VISA for study (student category), work (expatriate category) and treatment (visiting medical professional category) under the Malaysian Medical Travellers Programme (MHTP). The list of countries can be found on the official e-Visa portal in Malaysia.

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Tourist visa to Malaysia

Citizens of the rest of the world must obtain a tourist visa to travel to Malaysia.

- How to apply for a tourist visa to Malaysia?

To apply for a tourist visa to Malaysia, please contact your nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate or a visa application center that can accept Malaysian visa applications.

- To obtain a permit, you must prepare the following documents:

1. Two copies of the completed Malaysia visa application form.

2. Your passport, which must be valid for at least six months from the date you intend to enter Malaysia.

3. Two passport-sized photographs of you.

4. A complete flight itinerary that includes a return ticket.

5. Proof of accommodation in Malaysia, such as a hotel reservation.

6. Letter of invitation from your host/sponsor in Malaysia (if you have one).

7. A letter of no objection from your employer or educational institution.

8. Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

9. Proof of payment of the Malaysia visa fee. Some embassies/consulates require payment of the fee in cash, while others only accept payments via bank transfer.

10. A yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are from a country where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission.

11. Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended to have travel insurance when traveling to Malaysia.

The processing time for a Malaysian tourist visa varies by embassy/consulate. It usually takes about a week on average. If your application is approved, you should receive your passport with a visa that allows you to travel to Malaysia.

Mandatory Yellow Fever Vaccination

Citizens of the following countries are required to have an international certificate of vaccination to enter Malaysia. This country introduces mandatory vaccination against yellow fever, as the main vector Aedes aegypti mosquito is present on its territory: Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana (France), Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela.

Malaysia Entry Restrictions

- Israeli citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter Malaysia along with permission from the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs. They are also prohibited from participating in the Malaysia My Second Home program.

- North Korean citizens are required to have a visa since March 6, 2017 due to diplomatic tensions caused by the assassination of Kim Jong-nam.

- Western Sahara citizens require a visa and can only enter by air.

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)

All travelers are required to complete the MDAC online within 3 days prior to arrival. This digital card replaces traditional arrival forms, combining immigration, customs and health declarations into a single, easy-to-use platform. Submit your MDAC via the official Malaysia Digital Arrival Card website.

Reminder! Malaysia is rapidly gaining popularity as a top destination for digital nomads due to its affordable prices, resort climate, proximity to beaches, unique culture and modern infrastructure. The country’s government has announced a simplified visa process for digital nomads. We have already talked about the features of the DE Rantau visa in Malaysia.

Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.