Malaysia visa policy

The Malaysia visa policy establishes visa requirements for foreign citizens who wish to enter Malaysia.

Currently, per the visa policy of Malaysia, a number of countries have visa-free access to Malaysia for short-term trips, while citizens of other countries need to obtain a Malaysia visa or entry permit they are eligible for.

Non-visa-exempt nationals must get a Malaysia eVisa, eNTRI, a visa on arrival, or a regular visa.

The Malaysia eVisa and eNTRI have the most effortless application process as it takes place entirely online. Both are single-entry, but the permitted stay with an electronic visa to Malaysia is 90 days, while Malaysian eNTRI allows only a 15-day visit.

Malaysian eVisa can be received by citizens of over 30 countries. The eNTRI to Malaysia is issued only to Indian and Chinese nationals who are also eligible for an electronic visa and a visa on arrival – a visa that is obtained directly at the entry point.

Citizens who cannot get a Malaysia visa online or upon arrival have to go to the Malaysian embassy for a regular visa.

The visa policy of Malaysia is mandatory information to know for every traveler. However, note that a Malaysian visa is not the only document requested upon arrival, so it is of great importance to study the rest of the Malaysian entry requirements.

Who can enter Malaysia?

Before May 2011, the Malaysian government did not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, and Israeli nationals were not allowed to visit Malaysia.

Now Israeli citizens are able to travel to Malaysia provided they hold special approval from the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to the visa policy of Malaysia, nationals of all other countries are free to visit Malaysia if they meet the general Malaysia entry requirements.

Many citizens have visa-free access to Malaysia, while others need to apply for a Malaysia eVisa, eNTRI, a visa on arrival, or a regular visa.

Entry requirements for Malaysia

Besides visa restrictions, all foreigners willing to be allowed into Malaysia are obliged to follow other Malaysia entry requirements.

Every visitor to Malaysia must have a recognized international passport valid for 6 months from the date of arrival containing at least 1 unused page for entry/departure endorsements.

It is also required to present a fixed return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds of at least USD 100 per every day of intended stay in Malaysia.

On August 1, 2022, Malaysia reduced its COVID-19 restrictions. Now foreigners can enter Malaysia, regardless of their vaccination status and without the need to present a negative PCR test. However, passengers experiencing fever or other symptoms, or who have been to China within the last 14 days must take a Covid-19 RTK test at the airport.

East Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, maintain semi-autonomous immigration controls and may have additional requirements in place. For example, travelers from China must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and a Covid-19 RTK test with a negative result taken at least 48 hours before departure.

Persons coming from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission must present a vaccination certificate against this disease. However, yellow fever vaccination is not required for those only transiting through yellow fever belt countries without leaving the transit zones.

Documents checklist for entering Malaysia

This is the list of documents requested by immigration officers at the Malaysian entry points:

• a valid passport
• a Malaysian visa (if applicable)
• proof of sufficient funds
• a return/onward ticket
• yellow fever certificate (if applicable)

Note that this information is for guide purposes only. Please verify with the official sources of Malaysian authorities to get the most recent precautions.

Visa types and available entry permits to Malaysia

Depending on nationality, a traveler may be eligible for an electronic visa, a visa on arrival, eNTRI, or a regular visa to Malaysia.

Electronic visa

Malaysia eVisa is an electronic visa that can be obtained through an online application process.

In order to apply for an eVisa to Malaysia online, it is needed to complete several easy steps. After completing the form and covering the fees, an applicant must regularly check the inbox – approval will be sent to the email address.

Malaysia eVisa is a single-entry visa allowing its holders to stay in Malaysia for tourism for up to 90 days.

Malaysian eNTRI

The Malaysian eNTRI is Electronic Travel Registration & Information service that permits Indian and Chinese nationals to travel to Malaysia on a direct flight from India, Brunei, Singapore, or Thailand airports.

The eNTRI to Malaysia has an online application procedure and allows one visit to Malaysia for up to 15 days.

Visa on arrival

A visa on arrival is a visa that can be obtained directly at the entry point instead of applying in advance. Still, this application method has certain disadvantages, such as wasting much time in lines and having the risk of visa refusal.

Malaysian visas on arrival are available for citizens of India and China entering from Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia at the listed checkpoints:

• Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA and KLIA2)
• Bayan Lepas International Airport, Pulau Pinang
• Sultan Ismail, Senai Airport, Johor
• Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Sabah
• Kuching International Airport, Sarawak
• Tuas – Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (Second Link)

Regular visa

Citizens of some countries are eligible only for a regular visa that can be obtained directly at the Malaysian embassy or consulate.

It requires more effort than the previously mentioned methods: an applicant must make an appointment, visit the office in person, and have a visa interview.

It is recommended to prepare for the interview with a consular officer and collect all the necessary documentation to omit issues and delays.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into Malaysia

Check the list of eligible countries to know which Malaysia visa application method is required for your country of citizenship:

Electronic visa

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

eNTRI

• China
• India

Visa on arrival

• China
• India

Regular visa

• Anguilla
• American Samoa
• Aruba
• Aland Islands
• Bermuda
• Cocos Islands
• Cook Islands
• Christmas Island
• Falkland Islands
• Micronesia
• Faroe Islands
• Georgia
• French Guiana
• Gibraltar
• Greenland
• Guadeloupe
• Guam
• Israel
• North Korea
• Cayman Islands
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Martinique
• Montserrat
• New Caledonia
• Norfolk Island
• Niue
• French Polynesia
• Caicos Islands
• Tokelau
• United States
• British Virgin Islands
• Mayotte
• United States Virgin Islands
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Isle of Man
• Guernsey
• Saint Martin
• Saint Helena
• Reunion
• Puerto Rico
• Jersey
• Curacao
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Saint Barthelemy
• Sint Maarten
• Bonaire

Visa-free access

• Andorra
• United Arab Emirates
• Albania
• Armenia
• Argentina
• Austria
• Australia
• Azerbaijan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Bahrain
• Benin
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Bahamas
• Botswana
• Belarus
• Belize
• Canada
• Switzerland
• Chile
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Denmark
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Algeria
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Egypt
• Spain
• Finland
• Fiji
• France
• Gabon
• United Kingdom
• Grenada
• Georgia
• Gambia
• Guinea
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Hong Kong
• Honduras
• Croatia
• Haiti
• Hungary
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Iraq
• Iran
• Iceland
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Japan
• Kenya
• Kyrgyzstan
• Cambodia
• Kiribati
• Comoros
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• South Korea
• Kuwait
• Kazakhstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Saint Lucia
• Liechtenstein
• Lesotho
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Libya
• Morocco
• Monaco
• Moldova
• Madagascar
• Marshall Islands
• Macedonia
• Mongolia
• Macau
• Mauritania
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Maldives
• Malawi
• Mexico
• Namibia
• Nicaragua
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• Oman
• Panama
• Peru
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Poland
• Sierra Leone
• San Marino
• Senegal
• Somalia
• Suriname
• El Salvador
• Syria
• Swaziland
• Chad
• Togo
• Thailand
• Tajikistan
• Timor Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Tunisia
• Tonga
• Turkey
• Tuvalu
• Taiwan
• Tanzania
• Ukraine
• Uganda
• United States
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Vatican City
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Vanuatu
• Samoa
• Yemen
• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Seychelles
• Palau
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Brunei Darussalam
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Romania
• Paraguay
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Palestine
• Solomon Islands
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Cape Verde
• Antigua and Barbuda

Entry requirements for children

Malaysia does not apply any special entry rules for underage travelers. That means minors can enter Malaysia with the same set of documents as adults.

Keep in mind that a children’s passport remains valid for a shorter period of time than the one for adults, so it may require renewal before travel.

The Malaysia visa application for children must be submitted by the children’s parents or legal guardians. Additionally, it is necessary to attach the child’s birth certificate to the visa application form.

Transit information

Non-visa-exempt citizens can transit through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) without a Malaysian visa if they stay within a transit airport zone for no longer than 24 hours.

It is not allowed to switch between the main terminal and KLIA2, as these are separate airports, and you will be required to present a valid Malaysia visa when going through immigration.

Citizens of certain countries without visa-free access can enjoy a free transit pass instead. Bhutan, China, Myanmar, and Nepal nationals may stay for up to 120 hours when transiting through KLIA, provided their onward flight is operated by either Air Asia or Malaysia Airlines.

Holders of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan passports can have visa-free transit under the same conditions if they have a visa/residence permit issued by Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, or the United States, and are departing to or arriving from the mentioned countries.

Important information

• The visa policy of Malaysia offers several methods of obtaining Malaysia visas and entry permits: eVisa, eNTRI, visa on arrival, and a regular visa.
• The Malaysian eVisa is available online for citizens of more than 30 countries and permits a stay for 90 days.
• The eNTRI to Malaysia allows a 15-day visit and can be obtained via an online application process by Indian and Chinese nationals.
• A visa on arrival is issued to Indians and Chinese at certain entry points.
• A regular visa can be received by attending a Malaysian mission in person.
• All travelers to Malaysia also need a valid passport, onward ticket, and sufficient funds proof.