Malaysia visas are issued to foreign nationals who wish to enter Malaysia, and who are citizens of visa-subject countries. Malaysian visas only allow the holder to travel to Malaysia, where they will be subject to border checks upon arrival. This means that a visa is not a complete guarantee that you can stay in Malaysia, for any purpose. It is the Immigration Officer at the entry point who decides whether you can enter Malaysia or not. As such, a Malaysia Visa is simply a pre-entry requirement — you will need the permission of the Immigration Officer to actually enter.
Should I Apply for a Visa Before Going to Malaysia?
If you are a citizen of a country that is not exempt from Malaysia visa requirements, then you will need to apply for one before you can travel to Malaysia. However, certain countries can stay in Malaysia for specific periods of time without having to apply for a visa. But if you intend to stay in Malaysia for longer than 90 days, and do not fall under any of the categories listed below, then you will need to apply for a visa or Pass related to your travel (work, study or family reunification etc).
Click here to see the full list of who needs a Malaysia visa.
When to Apply for a Malaysian Visa?
A Malaysian visa can be obtained up to one month before the date of travel.
How to Apply for Malaysia visa?
Foreign nationals from countries other than Malaysia may apply for a Malaysia visa in two ways:
- Online eVisa Application
- Manually Submission to the Embassy
However, Malaysia only allows nationals of a handful of countries to apply for their Malaysian visas online. Nationals from most visa-subject countries must apply at a Malaysian Representative Office Abroad or through an authorized visa application agency.
Malaysia Visa Application Steps
To apply for a Malaysia visa, you need to go through these simple steps:
- Find a Malaysian Representative Office.
- Download the application form.
- Complete the documents file.
- Submit the application along with the documents.
- Wait for processing.
Find a Malaysian Representative Office
You will need to check with a local representative office or visa application center to see whether there is one in your country.
Download the application form
Malaysia immigration requires that you complete an electronic application form before submitting your visa application. You will need access to a computer and Adobe Reader software. After completing the electronic application form, print two copies and sign them.
Complete the documents file
When you submit a Malaysia visa application, you must have several supporting documents, such as:
- Two copies of the Malaysia visa application form
- Your original passport.
- Two photocopies of your passport
- Two passport size pictures.
- A copy of your flight itinerary, including a confirmed return ticket.
- Proof of accommodation in Malaysia, such as a hotel booking.
- If you are staying with friends/family, include an invitation letter.
- Bank statements from the past three months.
- If you are applying for a Malaysia Visa with Reference: Original approval letter from the Immigration Department of Malaysia or another authority.
See a more detailed list of Malaysia visa requirements here.
Submit the application along with the documents
You must provide copies of the Malaysia visa application form and your original passport, along with any other required documents, at the Malaysian Representative Office/visa application office. Depending on your country of origin, you may be able to submit the application in person or by mail.
You have to affix a picture of yourself to the application form, which must be in line with Malaysia visa photo requirements.
There, you also have to pay the Malaysia visa application fee.
Malaysia Visa Application Processing Time
The processing time for a Malaysian visa depends on your country and the method through which you are applying, the time of year and whether you have all the required documentation.
- If you are applying online (eVisa), the process should take no longer than 100 hours, ie. four days.
- If you to apply through eNTRI, your visa should be processed within 48 to 72 hours.
- If you are applying manually, the processing time depends on the office which is handling your application. Still, in most cases, the Malaysia visa is processed within 7–8 working days.
What is the difference between a Malaysian Visa and Pass?
The Malasyia Visa allows a person to travel to Malaysia, while the Malaysia Pass indicates the purpose of the trip. You receive some Passes at the port of entry upon arrival, while other Passes you have to apply for before you can travel to Malaysia, such as an Employment Pass.
- Malaysia Transit Visas. You need to apply for a transit visa if you have to enter Malaysia in order to board another flight on your way to a third country.
- Malaysia Tourist Visa. You will need to obtain a tourist visa for Malaysia if you plan on entering the country for tourism purposes and fall under the Malaysian visa regime.
- Short Term Social Visit Pass, which you receive upon arrival to Malaysia. You will receive this Pass if you are traveling for a short-term purpose, such as visiting family/friends, tourism, business trip, attending a seminar, entering an exam, partaking in a sports competition, etc.
- Employment Pass, which allows you to work in a Malaysian company/organisation. The Expatriate Committee (EC) or another Malaysian authority has to approve your position in the company before you can apply.
- Dependant Pass, which is issued to the dependents of Employment Pass holders (spouses, children under 18, or elderly parents)
- Visitor’s Pass (Temporary Employment). You have to apply for this pass before you travel if you have found an employer in Malaysia and want to take up work in an approved sector or as a Foreign Domestic Helper.
- Visitor’s Pass (Professional). You must apply for this Pass if you want to offer professional services in Malaysia for a short period of time or to undergo training.
- Long Term Social Visit Pass, which is issued to foreigners who want to stay in Malaysia for longer than six months and fulfill the requirements. However, you cannot work or become self-employed with this Pass. If you are the spouse/partner of a Malaysian citizen, you can receive this Pass for up to 5 years, which is why it is also known as the Spouse Visa for Malaysia.
- Student Pass, also known as the Malaysia Student Visa. If you want to pursue studies in Malaysia, you have to apply for a Student Pass before you travel.
- Residence Pass, which is issued to highly qualified foreigners who will work in Malaysia for up to 10 years. You can only apply for the Residence Pass if you have already worked in Malaysia for at least three years prior to application.
- Malaysia My Second Home Program, allows foreigners to retire in Malaysia.
Additionally, Malaysian visas are also divided into Malaysia Visa Without Reference and Malaysia Visa With Reference.
What is the difference between a Malaysia Visa Without Reference and a Visa With Reference?
The difference between a Malaysian Visa Without Reference, and a Malaysian Visa With Reference is determined by the purpose of your trip.
The Malaysia Visa Without Reference is a single-entry visa that is issued by the High Commission of Malaysia without requiring any prior authorization from a Malaysian authority body. This visa is issued for social visits or tourism purposes, and it is usually valid for stays of up to 30 days.
Before you can travel to Malaysia, you must obtain prior authorization from the Immigration Department of Malaysia. This type of visa is the one you will receive if you want to travel to Malaysia for further studies, join a family member or work.
Can I Get a Visa on Arrival in Malaysia?
f you are a citizen of India or China, you are eligible for the Malaysia Visa On Arrival (valid for a maximum of 15 days) if you meet the following requirements:
- You are traveling directly from Indonesia, Singapore or Thailand
- You have a valid visa from one of those countries
- You have at least USD 500 per person and a return flight ticket.
- VOA fees RM 200 and must pay with credit / debit card. No cash is accepted.
How Many Times Can I Enter Malaysia With a Visa?
Depending on the number of entries, the Malaysian government issues these types of visas:
- Malaysia Single Entry Visa, which is valid for a maximum of three months from the issue date and allows the holder to only travel to Malaysia once. This type of visa is usually for social visit/tourism purposes.
- Malaysia Multiple Entry Visa, which can be valid anywhere from three to twelve months from the date it is issued. As the name suggests, the holder can enter Malaysia multiple times while the visa is valid. This type of Malaysia visa is usually issued for government or business purposes. However, you cannot stay longer than 30 days on any entry.
How to Extend a Single Entry Visa in Malaysia?
A single entry visa for Malaysia is only valid for up to 30 days and it cannot be extended. Neither can a Social Visit Pass.
If you want to stay in Malaysia for longer than your Pass is issued for, you have to leave the country and apply for the appropriate Malaysian Visa/Pass.
However, an extension of a Social Visit Pass may be possible in extraordinary cases, and only after consideration on a case to case basis. For example, you could receive an extension for your Social Visit Pass if you fell ill, had an accident, or if a situation in your home country (such as a war) could endanger you if you returned.
In such an event, you will have to provide evidence of your claim and show a confirmed return ticket to your home country.
