Travelers from all over the world are allowed to travel to-and-from Malaysia. It is the reigning destination among tourists and represents natural and manufactured wonders wholesomely. If you plan to visit Malaysia on a leisurely or business trip, here is all the information you need on the Malaysia visa.

Malaysia Visa Policy

Malaysia has implemented a very liberal and flexible visa policy according to which certain nationalities can enter and stay in the country without obtaining a visa. This visa-free facility is applicable on different stay durations, which include 14 days, 30 days, and 90 days. The countries eligible for this conditional visa exemption are different. You can check out the names of eligible countries on this page.

On the other hand, there are countries the citizens of which must mandatorily obtain a visa for business, studying, or tourism purposes. This requires them to hold a valid visa with at least six months of validity left after the day they enter the country.

Points to Note:

The holder of a Malaysian visa is only allowed to travel to and stay in Malaysia. Every traveler will be subject to relevant border checks and verification procedures after arrival. The visa, whether paper or electronic, is not the ultimate guarantee of entry into the country.

The immigration officers, posted at every port of entry, will issue all foreigners a Malaysia Pass. This pass would serve as an entry permit as it indicates the traveler is permitted to stay in Malaysia for a specific period.

Those foreigners who aren't required to obtain a Malaysian visa before traveling will also receive the Malaysian Pass and undergo immigration checks at whichever port of entry they choose.

Travelers who do not belong to a country that enjoys visa exemption will apply for the visa before booking their tickets and traveling to Malaysia.

If your country of nationality has visa exemption for a specific period, you must apply for a visa if you intend to stay longer than the designated visa-free stay duration.

What Types of Malaysian Visa Are Available?

The Malaysian government offers two types of visas- Paper visas and Electronic visas.

It must be noted that at the moment, Malaysia offers an electronic or e-visa facility to a few countries only. Therefore, checking whether you can apply for the e-visa through a Malaysian Representative Office Abroad or a third-party, Malaysian government-accredited travel agency is essential.

Indian and Chinese citizens can also apply for the eNTRI, which stands for Electronic Travel Registration and Information.

You must always carry your passport featuring a Malaysian entry stamp while staying and roaming around in Malaysia. You can be asked to prove your nationality and legal status in Malaysia.

Visa-Free Travel Guidelines for Business Travelers

Certain nationalities can enter Malaysia and obtain an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), if the purpose of their travel is business. Business travelers from the following countries can enter without a visa in Malaysia. Please note that visa-free status is only allowed for sixty days.

Who can apply for a Malaysian Transit Visa?

Those traveling to Malaysia from a country the citizens of which are required to obtain a visa beforehand, and they need to switch terminals for onward travel or boarding another plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport can apply for a transit visa. For transiting within Malaysia, you won't need a transit visa. Also, those who have to wait for their onward flights for less than 24 hours are not required to obtain a transit visa. Citizens of the following countries must obtain a Malaysian transit visa, which will be valid for up to 120 hours

• Bhutan
• China
• Myanmar
• Nepal

There are certain requirements to meet to obtain a transit visa. This includes:

• The traveler is transiting at Kuala Lumpur Airport.
• Their flight is scheduled within 120 hours.
• Their onward flight is booked at Malaysia Airlines or Air Asia.

Citizens of the following countries can also obtain a transit visa after fulfilling specific requirements.

• Bangladesh
• India
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka

Travelers from these countries should possess a residence permit or visa issued by China, Australia, South Korea, Japan, the USA, Taiwan, and New Zealand.

Their travel should remain to-and-from any of these countries.

They must enter and exit from the main terminal or KLIA2 or show a residence permit from any of these countries.

Nationalities That Require a Malaysian Visa

The following nationalities are required to obtain a visa before traveling to Malaysia

Who can Apply for a Malaysia Online or e-Visa?

The Malaysia government started an online process of applying for a visa on 1 March 2017. The new application process was dubbed the electronic or e-visa. Applicants could submit their applications directly to the government's immigration office or hire a third-party travel agency to monitor the evisa process. E-visa system is allowed for those seeking to visit Malaysia for touristic purposes or business, study, or as expatriates. Nonetheless, every traveler has to report to Malaysian immigration authorities before leaving the port of entry to obtain immigration passes. You must belong to a designated country that qualifies for an e-visa. Otherwise, your e-visa application will not be processed, as the Malaysian government has implemented an IP detection system. Here are the names of countries eligible for an e-visa.

Nationalities that can Stay Visa-Free in Malaysia for up to Ninety Days (90-days)

Who can Stay for up to Ninety (90) days

Those traveling to Malaysia for up to 90 days must belong to any of the following countries.

Those Eligible to Stay in Malaysia visa-free for Thirty (30) Days:

Nationalities That can Stay in Malaysia Without a Visa for Thirty Days (30-days)

Those Who can Stay in Malaysia for Fourteen (14) Days:

Nationalities that can stay in Malaysia Visa-free for up to Fourteen Days (14-days)

• Libya
• Macao (only those who hold Special Administrative Region Travel Permits)
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Yemen

Frequently Asked Questions