A Malaysia Visa is granted to foreign nationals who wish to enter Malaysia, and who are citizens of visa-subject countries.
Malaysian Visas only allows 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.
The Immigration Officer at the entry point will issue all foreign travelers a Pass. Malaysia Passes are an endorsement in your passport which states that you are allowed to stay in the country and for how long. Even if you are not required to obtain a Malaysian visa prior to travel, you will still receive a Pass on your passport and be subject to immigration check at the entry point.
As such, a Malaysia Visa is simply a pre-entry requirement – you will need the permission of the Immigration Officer to actually enter.
If you are from a country who is not exempt from Malaysia visas, then you will have to apply for one before you are allowed to travel there.
However, there are several countries who can stay in Malaysia for specific periods of time without having to get a visa. But for a period exceeding the duration of the allowed visa-free travel, you will have to apply for a visa.
For example, if you are a citizen of a member state of the European Union or from the USA, you don’t need to get a visa if you only intend to stay in Malaysia for a maximum of 90 days. But if you intend to stay for longer than 90 days, you do need to apply for a Malaysia visa, or the appropriate Pass related to your travel (work, study, family reunification etc).
» Also here you can read article about where can Malaysian passport holders travel visa free.
You can apply for a Malaysian visa up to 1 month before the date you intend to travel.
There are two methods through which foreign nationals can apply for a Malaysia visa:
However, Malaysia only offers the online Malaysia visa application option to a handful of countries (see below). Most visa-subject nationals have to apply at a Malaysian Representative Office Abroad or through an authorized visa application agency.
Malaysian authorities offer certain foreign nationals the option of applying for a visa online, through the Malaysia eVisa. If your Malaysia eVisa application is approved, you will receive it online and you have to print it – it won’t be affixed as a sticker on your passport.
You can only apply for a Malaysia visa online if you are a national of the following countries:
Additionally, Indian and Chinese nationals are eligible for the eNTRI (Electronic Travel Registration and Information).
If you are a national of the above-mentioned countries, you can learn more about the Malaysia visa online application here.
To apply for a Malaysia visa, you need to go through these simple steps:
You will have to check to see whether there is a Malaysian Representative Office or a visa application center in your country or find the one nearest to you.
Before you submit a Malaysia visa application, you have to download Malaysia Visa application form from the website of the Immigration Department of Malaysia and complete it electronically. You’ll need access to a computer and Adobe Reader. After you complete the application form, you must print two copies and sign them.
When you submit a Malaysia visa application, you must have several supporting documents, such as:
You have to submit the copies of the Malaysia visa application form along with your original passport and the required documents at the Malaysian Representative Office/visa application office. Depending on your country, 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.
Depending on your country and the location in which you are applying, you may be able to track the process of your application online.
If your Malaysia visa application is approved, you have to retrieve your passport with the affixed visa. Then, you are allowed to travel to Malaysia.
Keep in mind that even though you may receive a visa for Malaysia, once you travel there, it is the Immigration Officer at the port of entry who decides whether to allow you to enter. Depending on your purpose of travel, they will give you the adequate Pass which states the number of days you’re allowed to stay in Malaysia. For example, if you want to travel to Malaysia for tourism purposes, you will receive a “Short Term Social Visit Pass” (see a list of Malaysia Passes below).
Just because your visa is valid for 30 days, it does not mean your Pass will be issued for the same amount of days as well.
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.
No, Malayisan authorities won’t necessarily ask for proof travel insurance. However, purchasing travel insurance when visiting Malaysia as a tourist is highly recommended. If you are planning to stay longer in Malaysia, i.e with a work visa, student visa, or a retirement visa, you may want to get a health insurance plan that covers expats.
A Malaysian Visa allows the holder to travel to Malaysia, whereas the Malaysia Pass indicates the purpose of the travel. Some Passes you receive at the port of entry upon arrival, while others, you have to receive before you can apply for a visa, such as an Employment Pass. As such, the Malaysia Passes are divided in the following:
Additionally, Malaysian visas are also divided into Malaysia Visa Without Reference and Malaysia Visa With Reference.
The difference between the Malaysian Visa Without Reference and the Visa With Reference depends on the purpose of travel.
The Malaysia Visa Without Reference 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 a single-entry visa.
The Malaysia Visa With Reference needs prior authorization from the Immigration Department of Malaysia before it can be issued. This is the type of visa you will receive if you want to travel to Malaysia to pursue further studies, join a family member, or work.
If you are a citizen of India or China, you are eligible for the Malaysia Visa On Arrival (valid for a maximum of 7 days) if you meet the following requirements:
Depending on the number of entries, the Malaysian government issues these types of visas:
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.