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Do I need a visa to visit Malaysia?

Feb 19, 2022 • 5 min read

Entering the Federal Territory Mosque in Kuala Lumpur © Patrick Foto / Getty Images

Malaysia has a reputation as the easy country for travel in Southeast Asia, and that certainly applies to the visa situation. Citizens of many countries are granted visa-free entry on arrival, meaning there’s no complicated paperwork standing between you and Malaysia’s beaches, jungles and food markets. 

Even better, the relaxed visa situation makes for easy detours to neighboring Singapore , Indonesia , Brunei and Thailand , though you’ll need to check the latest Covid restrictions before you travel. Here’s everything you need to know about visas for Malaysia. 

Can I travel to Malaysia without a visa? 

In normal circumstances, nationals of most countries in Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan (and many other countries) can visit Malaysia without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. This applies to entries by air, land and sea. 

In practice, 90-day stays are usually given as the default if you arrive in Malaysia by air, but if you enter by land or by sea, you may be given a 30-day entry stamp unless you specifically ask for a longer permit. It’s worth doing this, as extending your stay may not be possible once the stamp is issued. 

On arrival, your passport will be stamped and you’ll need to fill out an arrival/departure card; just make sure your passport is valid for six months from the date of entry. Technically, the authorities can ask for proof of sufficient funds for your stay and a ticket for onward travel from Malaysia, but this is not usually requested. 

Some countries are granted a shorter stay in Malaysia

Citizens of Russia and many neighboring countries are granted a stay of one month on arrival, and similar rules apply to nationals of many countries in Africa and Central and South America. For longer stays, you’ll need to apply for a visa. 

Note that citizens of Israel can only enter Malaysia with written permission from Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs , which rules out easy overland trips from Thailand to Singapore.

What are the visa requirements for Malaysia? 

If your home country is not on the visa-free travel list, or you’re planning a long stay, you’ll need to apply for a visa. However, be aware that the only visas valid for more than 90 days are the multi-entry visas reserved for business travelers.

Different rules apply to different countries. Tourist E-Visas lasting up to 30 days are issued to citizens of Serbia & Montenegro, China, India, and many other nations in South Asia and Africa. See the Immigration Department of Malaysia website for details of how to apply and a full list of approved countries. 

Other nationals will need to apply for a visa the old-fashioned way at a Malaysian embassy or consulate in their home country. The Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs has a full list of Malaysian missions overseas; contact your local embassy for advice on the application process. 

Business and transit visas for Malaysia

For business trips, it’s usually fine to enter the country as if you were a tourist, but you are not permitted to work for any Malaysian company. Business travelers can also apply for long-duration multiple-entry visas, but the application process is complex – Malaysian embassies can provide details. 

Transit visas are also available, but as so many people can enter Malaysia without a visa, they’re rarely needed.   

What are the rules for travel to East Malaysia? 

Sabah and Sarawak – the two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo – retain a certain degree of control over their borders. Even if you arrive from Peninsular Malaysia, you must go through passport control and have your passport stamped. This also applies when traveling between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei, and when traveling to the federal district of Pulau Labuan. 

When entering Sabah or Sarawak from another part of Malaysia, your new visa stamp will be valid only for the remainder of the period you were granted when you first entered Malaysia. If Malaysian Borneo is your first port of call in Malaysia, you’ll get the full, uninterrupted 30 or 90 days. 

Extending a Malaysia visa 

While the entry procedures for Malaysia can seem very relaxed, it’s important not to overstay your visa or the visa-free entry period. If you do, you can be detained, fined, deported, and blacklisted – it’s no laughing matter. 

In the past, it has been possible to extend a 30-day entry up to 90 days through the Immigration Department of Malaysia , but don’t rely on this being possible with the pandemic muddying the waters. Extending a 90-day stay is out of the question. 

The good news is that it is possible to prolong your stay in Malaysia by hopping across the border to a neighboring country. When you re-enter, you’ll be granted a new 30- or 90- day entry stamp on arrival. There’s rarely a problem if you do this once or twice, but the authorities may take a dim view if you repeat the so-called “visa run” too many times. 

On the peninsula, the easiest place to leave and re-enter Malaysia is Johor Bahru ; local buses buzz across the causeway to Singapore day and night. The other easy option is Pulau Langkawi , which has ferries to Satun (year-round) and Ko Lipe (November to May) in Thailand. 

Alternatively, consider crossing the Thai border by train at Padang Besar, or take the ferry to Sumatra in Indonesia from Melaka or Johor Bahru. In East Malaysia, you can cross by bus or boat into Kalimantan in Indonesia, or make the easy hop into Brunei by bus from either Miri or Kota Kinabalu , or by boat from Pulau Labuan. 

You may also like:  12 best things you have to do in Singapore The 15 best things to do in Malaysia: Mountains, marine life, and amazing apes 'Ghosts are a big part of life in Malaysia': healing one year after losing my parents to COVID

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

Malaysia tourist visa: Visa types, requirements and application procedure

Updated: February 4, 2023

Malaysia tourist visa requirements are fairly easy to understand. Most nationalities are exempt from a tourist visa. Rest can obtain an eVisa or Visa on Arrival.

Currently, there are 5 different visa options available to enter Malaysia as a tourist.

• Visa Exemption: 167 nationalities are visa exempt for stays up to 90 days
• Visa on Arrival: 2 nationalities are eligible to obtain Visa on Arrival for stays up to 15 days
• eVISA: 34 nationalities can obtain eVisa for stays up to 30 days
• Transit Without Visa (TWOA): 9 nationalities are eligible to obtain TWOA for 120 hours (5 days)
• Visa from the embassy: 35 nationalities require a pre-approved visa from the Malaysian embassy prior to arrival

Table of Contents

MALAYSIA TOURIST VISA REQUIREMENTS BY NATIONALITY

Minimum passport validity required to enter Malaysia as a tourist

The minimum passport validity required to enter Malaysia is 6 months.

VISA EXEMPT nationalities

90-day entry.

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Saudi Arabia
• Sint Maarten
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States

30-day entry

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Marshall Islands
• North Macedonia
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Timor-Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Vatican City

14-day entry

Visa on arrival eligible nationalities, 15-day, single-entry, evisa eligible nationalities, 30-day, single-entry.

• Afghanistan
• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Congo, Dem. Rep. of
• Congo Rep. of
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea – Bissau
• Ivory Coast

VISA REQUIRED nationalities

• Congo Dem. Rep.
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Guinea-Bissau
• North Korea

TRANSIT VISA EXEMPT nationalities

A Malaysia transit visa is NOT REQUIRED if

• You are NOT leaving the airport and
• Continuing to the next destination with the same flight/airline

TRANSIT WITHOUT VISA (TWOV) nationalities

120-hour (5-day), single-entry, visa requirement for cruise passengers.

A Malaysia visa is REQUIRED to disembark the cruise at Malaysian ports.

MALAYSIA VISA EXEMPTION

Malaysia has a liberal visa policy offering visa exemption to over 160+ nationalities. Most nationalities can stay up to 30 days without requiring a tourist visa. About one-third of these nationalities can stay up to 90 days without a visa. 

Entry permission

As a visa-exempt nationality, you can stay either 30 days or 90 days depending on your nationality.

Documents to carry

Apart from your passport, you must also carry the below documents in print or on your smartphone.

• Proof of return or onward travel (your return or onward flight/bus/train ticket)
• Proof of accommodation (a hotel reservation for the first few days)
• Proof of funds to sustain your trip (some cash or ATM/Credit cards)

If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, make sure to get proof of return ticket from an onward ticket agency such as onwardticket.com .

MALAYSIA VISA ON ARRIVAL

Malaysia Visa on Arrival (VOA) is available to China and India passport holders arriving from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia or Brunei with a valid visa from those countries. 

Visa on Arrival is granted only for stays up to 15 days. There are some specific rules to follow for Malaysia Visa on Arrival.

Visa on Arrival can be obtained at the following international airports, land borders and seaports.

• Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA and KLIA2)
• Penang International Airport, Penang
• Langkawi International Airport, Kedah
• Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru
• Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah International Airport, Selangor
• Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Sabah
• Kuching International Airport, Sarawak
• Miri International Airport, Sarawak

Land borders

• Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB), Second Link, Johor Bahru
• Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine & Security (ICQS) Complex, Kedah
• Sungai Tujoh Immigration Cont rol Post, Sarawak
• Labuan International Ferry Terminal Immigration Control

Validity of Malaysia Visa on Arrival

Visa on Arrival is valid for 15 days, single entry only. 

How long can you stay in Malaysia with Visa on Arrival

Malaysia Visa on Arrival allows you to stay up to 15 days. 

Passport validity required for Visa on Arrival

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of obtaining Visa on Arrival.

Documents required

You must present the following documents.

• Original passport
• Valid visa from the arriving country (Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia or Brunei)
• Confirmed return or onward ticket
• Proof of financial ability of at least 500 MYR (must be in the form of cash or credit/debit card)

The Visa on Arrival fee is 200 MYR, payable only with a credit/debit card. 

MALAYSIA E-VISA

Malaysia eVISA application is online and you can apply from anywhere in the world. 

If you are applying from a country other than your country of passport, you must provide proof of residency in that country. The Malaysia eVISA portal tracks the IP address. Therefore the eVISA application knows where you are applying from and expects proof of residency from that country. 

If you reside in Singapore, Israel or North Korea, you cannot apply for Malaysia eVISA. You must apply for a Malaysian visa from your nearest Malaysian high commission. 

Also, you cannot apply for a Malaysia eVISA when you are already physically present in Malaysia. If you are already in Malaysia on an eVISA or any other type of visa, you must first exit Malaysia. Then you can apply for a fresh eVISA from your country of passport or legal residence. 

Malaysia eVISAs are single-entry only, valid for 3 months. Visa extensions are not allowed.

Word of caution on Malaysia eVISA Scams

There are fake websites posing as “official websites” and charging three or four times the visa fee. Do not fall prey to such scams. 

There is ONLY ONE OFFICIAL Malaysia eVISA website. The URL is below.

OFFICIAL Malaysia eVISA website: https://malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my/evisa/evisa.jsp  

Validity of Malaysia eVISA

The validity of Malaysia eVISA is 3 months from the day of issue. You can stay in Malaysia for either 15 days or 30 days depending on your nationality.

When to apply for E-Visa

You can apply for your Malaysia eVISA up to 1 month in advance. The E-Visa processing takes 2 working days. But due to high demand, the processing is currently taking much longer than 2 working days. I highly recommend applying for your eVISA at least a month prior to your travel date.

Passport validity required for eVISA

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your expected date of arrival in Malaysia.

How long can you stay in Malaysia on eVISA

Stay granted on a Malaysia eVISA depends on the nationality. Refer to the below table for how long you can stay with an eVISA. 

eVISA application process

Malaysia eVISA is a simple application. Takes about 30 minutes to fill out and submit. The approval process takes about 2 working days. 

IMPORTANT After the approval, you must print your eVISA. A soft copy of eVISA on your phone is not accepted. The immigration officer will stamp the port and date of entry on your eVISA print. You may be asked to show this eVISA print with the stamp at the time of leaving the country. Therefore, carrying a print of your eVISA is very much necessary. 

You will need the following documents.

• Digital passport-size photo
• Passport ID/data page
• Confirmed round-trip flight tickets
• Hotel bookings
• Other supporting documents (ex: proof of residence, etc.)

IMPORTANT Even though the eVISA portal accepts onward tickets to your next destination after Malaysia, the Malaysian embassy/consulate responsible for processing your eVISA will later ask for complete round-trip flight tickets. That means, flight tickets originating and ending in your home country or country of residence are required.

For example, if your home country or country of residence is India and your trip is India-Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand-India, you must upload all flight tickets starting from India and ending in India. If you submit just the inbound and outbound tickets (ex: Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand), you will be later asked to upload your full itinerary.

Photo requirements

The digital photograph must meet the following specifications.

• Must be 35mm x 50mm in dimensions
• Must be on a pure white background
• Must have been taken within the last 6 months 
• Full face must be in the center without any headgear or glasses
• Must be a professional passport photo taken in a studio
• Cellphone photos, selfies and cropped photos are not accepted

The eVISA fee is 50 MYR for India, 30 MYR for China and 20 MYR for all other nationalities. A detailed table with eVISA fee is below.

Apart from the eVISA fee, there is also a processing charge and service charge. 

• Processing charge: 105 MYR
• Service Charge: 0.8% of total transaction value

Processing time

Malaysia eVISA processing time is 2 working days. But due to the high amount of applications, processing times are often longer than 2 working days. I highly recommend applying at least a month in advance.

IMPORTANT In certain cases, the Malaysian embassy/consulate responsible for processing your application may demand additional documentation or an in-person or video interview, which might further delay your processing. 

Application tracking

You can track your Malaysia eVISA application within your dashboard on the Malaysia eVISA portal. You will also be notified of any changes in status via email. Your application can have any of the 6 statuses.

• NEW APPLICATION: Your eVISA application hasn’t been submitted yet
• IN PROGRESS: Your eVISA application is in process
• APPROVED: Your eVISA application has been approved
• REJECTED: Your eVISA application has been refused
• REQUEST DOCUMENT/DATA AMENDMENT: You must correct the information or upload additional documents
• REQUEST INTERVIEW: You must attend an in-person interview

Request Document/Data Amendment

If your Malaysia eVISA application requires any additional information or documentation, the Malaysian embassy/consulate will notify you of the list of additional documents needed. You will be given 5 days to upload the requested documents. 

Once you have uploaded all the requested documents, the processing time will be reset. It will take 2 more working days from that point onward for the processing of your visa.

In certain instances, the Malaysian embassy/consulate may request additional documents multiple times until the embassy/consulate is satisfied with your documents.  

Request Interview

If your eVisa application requires an additional proof, the Malaysian embassy/consulate will simply set up a “request for interview” appointment on your behalf.

This can be annoying as you have no choice in selecting your date/time for the in-person interview. I have seen only a handful of cases where was requested to appear in person for an interview at the embassy or consulate.

NOTE There is no option to change the date/time of the appointment. If you cannot make it to the appointment, I suggest applying for the visa again on the eVISA portal.

Priority visa service (optional, not applicable to all visa guides)

Unfortunately, there is no priority visa processing. The visa process usually takes 2 working days. It can take much longer in some instances. So apply at least one month prior to your trip.

Customer service (optional, not applicable to all visa guides)

You can use the live chat support on Malaysia eVISA portal to ask any questions or inquire about the status of your visa application. The chat agents are available 24×7. 

MALAYSIA TOURIST VISA FROM THE EMBASSY

Validity of malaysia tourist visa.

The validity of a Malaysia tourist visa is 3 months for a single entry and 6 months for a multiple entry visa.

How long can you stay in Malaysia on a tourist visa

You can stay up to 30 days in Malaysia on a tourist visa. Passport holders from the African continent can only stay up to 14 days. 

Passport validity required for tourist visa

Blank pages needed in the passport for tourist visa.

You must have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for the tourist visa. One page for the visa sticker and one page for entry and exit stamps.

• Completed Malaysia visa application form ( download here )
• 2 photocopies of the passport bio page
• 2 passport-size photos (3.5cm X 5cm)
• Round trip flight tickets (return ticket must be within 30 days of arrival)
• Bank statement
• Invitation letter (if any)
• Payment of visa fee
• Yellow fever vaccination if applicable ( these countries require a yellow fever vaccination)

The photo must meet the following requirements.

• Must be of size 3.5cm X 5cm
• Must be in color with white background
• Must be the latest, taken in the last 6 months

The visa fee is anywhere from 6 MYR (about $1.5 USD) to 50 MYR (about $12 USD) depending on the country of your passport.

Please refer to the Malaysia Immigration Portal for the current visa fee for your nationality. 

The tourist visa processing time is about 3-5 working days.

TWOV (TRANSIT WITHOUT VISA) TRANSIT PASS

Transit Without Visa (TWOV) is for those passengers that are transiting via Malaysia but would like to leave the airport and enter Malaysia for a limited amount of time.

TWOV is available at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA1 and KLIA 2) only. TWOV is NOT available at any other airport, land border or seaport in Malaysia.

Issuing of TWOV transit pass is at the discretion of the immigration officer at the airport.

TWOV is available to the following nationalities only.

• GROUP 1: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
• GROUP 2: Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam

TWOV requirements for GROUP 1: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

• Must hold a single/multiple-entry visa or residence permit from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan or the USA
• Must enter and exit KLIA1 or KLIA2 with Malaysian Airlines, Air Asia and Malindo Air only
• Must hold a confirmed (with e-ticket number) flight ticket to your country of passport or to a third country within 120 hours

TWOV requirements for GROUP 2: Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam

• Can enter KLIA1/KLIA2 with any airline but must exit KLIA1/KLIA2 with Malaysian Airlines or Air Asia only

NOTE If you are transiting via Malaysia and not leaving the airport, then you do not need a TWOV transit pass. TWOV transit pass is necessary only if you plan to leave the airport.  

Validity of TWOV transit pass

The validity of Malaysia TWOV transit pass is 120 hours (5 days) from the date and time of issue at the port of entry in Malaysia. 

How long can you stay in Malaysia on a TWOV transit pass

You can stay up to 120 hours (5 days) in Malaysia on a TWOV transit pass. Extensions are not allowed.

Passport validity required for TWOV transit pass

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival in Malaysia

• A valid single/multiple-entry visa or a residence permit from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan or the USA ( *this requirement is applicable to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka nationals only )
• A confirmed (with e-ticket number) flight ticket to your country of passport or to a third country within 120 hours
• Proof of financial ability of 500 MYR in the form of cash or credit/debit cards 

TWOV transit pass is issued FREE of cost to all eligible passport holders. 

ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURE AT THE AIRPORT

Entering malaysia by air.

If you are obtaining Visa on Arrival or Transit Without Visa (TWOV), head to Visa on Arrival (VOA) section. You must produce all the required documentation and fee in order to obtain your VOA or TWOV. 

If you are visa-exempt or hold an eVisa or a visa from the embassy, head straight to the immigration and customs. Present your eVisa print along with your original passport. 

You may be asked what you plan to do in Malaysia, how many days you plan to stay, etc. You may be asked to show your return/onward flight ticket and hotel booking. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, make sure to get proof of return ticket from an onward ticket agency such as onwardticket.com .

Leaving Malaysia by air

You will go through passport control on exit. Exit formalities are fairly quick but make sure to account for a bit of extra time for this. No questions will be asked unless you have overstayed your visa.

Malaysia tourist visa requirements are easy to understand. Though there are many types of visas, the requirements for each of them are very clear. Most nationalities are exempt from visas. Rest can obtain eVisa or Visa on Arrival. 

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Malaysia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Malaysian High Commission in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 vaccination requirements for travellers entering Malaysia.  

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Malaysia. Make sure your passport is undamaged, with no pages missing.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

Malaysia does not recognise dual nationality. You can be refused entry if you’re found with a Malaysian passport and one of a different nationality. If you have dual nationality (not including Malaysian), enter and exit on the same passport.

Visa requirements

British nationals do not need a visa to visit Malaysia. You will normally be allowed to stay for 90 days on arrival. For any longer, or for a non-tourist visit, you will need a visa.

The Malaysian authorities do not tolerate illegal immigration. Do not overstay your visa or violate the terms of entry. Even if you overstay for just a few days, you can be:

• deported to the UK at your own cost
• blacklisted for future visits to Malaysia

If you are detained, you will find facilities can be poor with limited healthcare services. The British High Commission is unable to help you to remain in Malaysia or issue any document to support your overstay.

Keep a copy of your passport and visa safe in case your passport is lost. It may take time to get a replacement visa. If you cannot show your original visa or entry stamp on exit you may be treated as an overstayer, fined and blacklisted.

Applying for a visa

If you want to stay for longer than 90 days or visit for non-tourist purposes, you must apply for a visa from the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission before you travel.

Entry to East Malaysia

If you’re travelling between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (sometimes known as Malaysian Borneo, made up of the states of Sabah and Sarawak) you will need to carry your passport. You will pass through immigration control when entering and exiting East Malaysia from and to Peninsular Malaysia, and must obtain an entry and exit stamp.

Declaration form

You must fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card to enter Malaysia. You should complete this before you travel as it may be requested at check-in. You do not need to complete the arrival form if you are not passing through immigration. See the Malaysian Immigration website for further information, including exemption details.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Malaysia guide .

Drug screening

You could be asked to take a urine test on arrival in Malaysia if you are suspected of having used drugs before your visit. If you’re found with drugs in your bloodstream, you could be detained, or deported and blacklisted from any further visits to Malaysia. You can be charged with drug consumption even if the drugs were consumed overseas, including if they were consumed  in a country where the use of that particular drug is legal.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Malaysia . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

If you are in any doubt about the legality of any items, including medications, you should declare them on entry.

Importing firearms

It’s illegal to import unlicensed firearms and ammunition into Malaysia. This includes spent ammunition and souvenirs from war museums. Do not take any weapons or replica weapons into Malaysia. You may be detained and charged if you do. If you’re convicted of dealing in illegal firearms you can be given the death penalty.

Taking money into Malaysia

You can import or export up to the equivalent of 10,000 US dollars in Malaysian ringgit without prior approval.

On entry to or exit from Malaysia, declare any cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more. If you do not declare it, customs officials can seize your money, and you may get a fine of up to 3 million ringgit and up to 5 years’ imprisonment. Further information can be found on the Royal Malaysian Customs Department website.

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Malaysia visa extension: All you need to know

Generally, it's not possible to extend a Malaysia Tourist eVisa. If you're in Malaysia and want to prolong your stay past your eVisa's expiration, you'll need to exit the country and submit a new eVisa application. To avoid any legal issues, it's crucial to organize your travel plans to fit within your visa's allotted time frame.

Learn more here about applying for a new Malaysia eVisa , and the penalties you may incur for overstaying.

Malaysia Tourist eVisa extension

Unfortunately, the Immigration Department of Malaysia does not allow Malaysia tourist visa extensions. Foreign nationals must leave the country and apply for a new Malaysia tourist visa .

You can apply for a new Malaysia eVisa with the Immigration Department of Malaysia , or just simply check if you are one of the nationalities eligible to apply for a Malaysia single-entry eVisa online with us. If you need a multiple entry visa you should also consult the Malaysian embassy or government body.

How to apply for a new Malaysia Tourist Visa with us

Simply follow these steps:

First , answer the questions in the iVisa application form and select your preferred processing time.

Second , double-check your information carefully and continue with the payment.

Third , upload and attach all the required documents and submit your application.

As soon as we receive the completed online form, our visa experts will review the information and process it. Once it’s approved, you will receive the confirmation of your eVisa via email with further instructions.

Malaysia Tourist eVisa validity

Travelers should take note of the specific conditions tied to the Malaysia Tourist eVisa:

Visa validity period: Typically, the Malaysia Tourist eVisa remains valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. You're required to enter Malaysia within these 90 days.

Permitted duration of stay: Upon entry into Malaysia, the duration of stay allowed is up to 30 days for each entry.

Entry type: The Malaysia Tourist eVisa usually allows for a Single Entry. This implies you're permitted a single entry into Malaysia with the eVisa. If you exit Malaysia, regardless of whether the 30-day period has been fully utilized, the visa will no longer be valid for re-entry.

What if I need to stay longer than the permitted Tourist Visa validity?

If you wish to stay in Malaysia longer than the expiration date of your visa, it's important to address this situation properly to avoid violating immigration laws. Here are some steps and considerations:

Check visa extension possibilities: First, determine if your visa type is eligible for an extension. This is not typically possible for tourist eVisas , but other visa categories may have provisions for extensions under specific circumstances.

Apply for an extension (if eligible): If your visa type allows for extensions, apply for one well before your current visa expires. Visit the nearest Malaysian Immigration Department office to inquire about the process, required documents, fees, and any other requirements. Extensions are granted at the discretion of immigration officials and usually for valid reasons such as medical emergencies or unavoidable travel disruptions.

Exit and re-enter Malaysia: If your visa cannot be extended, you must leave Malaysia before your visa expires. You can then apply for a new visa from outside the country if you wish to return. Some travelers use this method, known as a "visa run," to comply with immigration laws while planning a return to Malaysia.

Consider applying for a different type of visa: If your travel plans or circumstances have changed, and you have a legitimate reason for a longer stay (such as study, work, or family reasons), you might consider applying for a different type of visa that suits your new situation.

Consult with Malaysian Immigration: Immigration laws and policies can change, and there may be specific advisories or exceptions in place (for example, due to global health emergencies). It's wise to consult directly with the Malaysian Immigration Department or the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate for the most current advice and solutions tailored to your situation.

What are the penalties for overstaying my Malaysia Visa?

Avoid overstaying your Malaysia Visa validity period . Overstaying your visa in Malaysia can lead to penalties, including fines, detention, deportation, and a possible ban on re-entry. It's crucial to take steps well in advance of your visa expiration to ensure you remain compliant with Malaysian immigration laws.

You can find a detailed list of the penalties for overstaying your Malaysian visa on the Malaysian Immigration website.

Extending your visa due to special circumstances

The Malaysia Special Pass is a temporary pass that allows foreigners to extend their stay in Malaysia due to ‘special’ circumstances. A few examples of these circumstances are illnesses, accidents, conflicts in your home country, etc. You must apply at least 7 days before your current visa expires to get this permit.

Generally, there are three common circumstances under which the Malaysian Immigration Department will grant a Special Pass:

Pending approval of an employment pass (or other related passes) : This applies to scenarios where foreigners have to renew their work visa (or another related pass). They may apply to remain in Malaysia with a Special Pass for another 30 days beyond the expiry date of their current visa, while awaiting the decision of their renewal application.

Making arrangements to exit Malaysia : The Special Pass is only for situations in which foreigners need to extend their stay in Malaysia for less than 30 days. They need to submit the supporting documents for approval:

A copy of an original passport.

A copy of the current visa.

Reserved flight ticket within the next 30 days.

Typed letter explaining the reason for requesting the Special Pass.

Completing in-country immigration process : This is for situations in which foreigners have yet to complete an in-country immigration process and might receive the Special Pass for 30 days to remain in Malaysia. During this time, they must complete any immigration formalities to update their status in Malaysia.

If you have time, and you are traveling for tourism purposes, the best thing to do is to prevent the offense of overstaying.

Where can I get more info?

If you have more inquiries about how to apply for a Malaysian eVisa or any other travel document, don't hesitate to contact our support team via online chat or WhatsApp .

Related Articles

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Getting a Malaysia Tourist eVisa for Pakistani citizens

Malaysia visa status: Track your application

• iVisa is NOT affiliated with any government agency. This site does not provide legal advice and we are not a law firm. None of our customer service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice. We are a private, internet-based travel and immigration consultancy provider dedicated to helping individuals travel around the world. You may apply by yourself directly on the various government websites. The source of information: https://www.imi.gov.my/

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