Visa and entry requirements for visiting Malaysia

Malaysia has emerged as a famous destination of numerous visitors coming each year owing to its bustling city, rich cultural heritage, and splendid beaches as gems of the earth recently. If this nation is on your travel list, knowing about the visa and entry requirements before you book your flight will help you much on your journey, whether it’s a short getaway or long-term visit.

Visa and entry requirements for visiting Malaysia. (Source: Shutterstock)

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Who needs a visa to enter Malaysia?

This beautiful nation has very specific requirements for those who are allowed to enter the country, for how long, and it offers a wide range of options based on their nationality and their travelling purpose. Some can freely visit Malaysia for short-term periods without having to obtain a visa, while others need to apply it before travelling to Malaysia.

Visa-free countries

As Malaysia continues to pursue an independent, principled, and pragmatic foreign policy founded on the values of peace, humanity, justice, and equality, it is freely open to visitors from many countries.

Visa-free countries to enter Malaysia. (Source: Sharifstudy)

Visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, or other European nations are in luck when they can stay in Malaysia up to 90 days without a visa.

Or if you travel from other Southeast Asia, like Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia,... you can enter and stay without a visa for up to 30 days in case you check your country’s guidelines before travelling.

Who needs a visa?

Travellers from other countries, such as India, China, and several African nations, are required to apply for a visa in advance because of the nation’s policies. Malaysian parliament has recently imposed some certain restrictions, so it may be better when you can check with your local Malaysian embassy/consulate.

What is a Malaysia tourist visa?

What a Malaysia tourist visa is. (Source: Unsplash)

A Malaysia tourist visa is:

• A single entry visa, which means you can only use it to enter the country once. Multiple-entry visas, which have a longer validity, are not usually issued for tourism purposes.
• A visa without reference, which means you don’t need to receive permission from the Immigration Department of Malaysia to receive it. It is the Malasyian Representative Office Abroad (Embassy/Consulate) in which you apply who issues it.
• A pre-entry requirement into the country, which means it only allows you to travel to Malaysia. It does not guarantee that you will actually enter Malaysia.

Whenever you enter Malaysia, the immigration officers will check your documents and decide whether you are qualified or not, regardless of your visa requirements or your travel purpose.

If you are decided to be fit to enter, you will receive a pass (a stamp on your passport).

How to apply for a Malaysia tourist visa?

Depending on your nationality, there are two ways through which you can apply for a Malaysian tourist visa:

How to apply for a Malaysia tourist visa. (Source: RNZ)

• In person, at a Malasyian Representative Office Abroad (Embassy/Consulate) or an authorized Visa Application Center.
• Online, for nationals of specific countries only.

Applying for a Malaysia tourist visa in person

To apply for a Malaysian tourist visa, you should go through these steps:

1. Find out where to apply that can submit the application on your behalf.
2. Download the Malaysian tourist visa application form: You must complete it electronically (you need access to a computer and an Adobe Reader or equivalent) and print two copies, which you must sign.
3. Collect the required documents for a tourist visa to Malaysia.
4. Submit the application to the embassy/consulate and leave your passport, since if your application is approved, the visa officers will affix your visa to it.
5. Wait for processing; it usually takes about a week, on average. If your application is approved, you must collect your passport with the visa on it, which allows you to travel to Malaysia.

Applying for a Malaysia tourist visa online

Applying for a Malaysia tourist visa online. (Source: RNZ)

Malaysia has two online visa application facilities that allow nationals from the countries above to receive their Malaysia visa faster:

Malaysia eVisa (Electronic Visa), which is valid for three months and allows the holder to stay in Malaysia for a maximum of 30 days.

Malaysia eNTRI (Electronic Travel Registration and Information), which is only available for Chinese and Indian nationals. An eNRTI allows the holder to stay in Malaysia for up to 15 days.

If you are eligible to apply for a Malaysia tourist visa online, you will receive a printable visa, which you must show to the immigration officers upon arrival at the Malaysian point of entry.

Entry requirements for Malaysia

After you arrive in Malaysia, you must go through border control, where the immigration officers decide whether to grant you entry. You must show them the following documents:

Entry requirements for Malysia. (Source: Borneo)

• Your passport and visa.
• Your return flight ticket.
• Proof you have sufficient funds.
• Your completed Arrival/Departure Card, which you can get after arriving at the point of entry.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (if applicable)
• Letter of invitation from host (if applicable).

If you are allowed to enter, you will receive a short-term social visit pass. Every foreign national who enters Malaysia must have a passport, regardless of whether or not they need one.

The pass indicates the number of days you are allowed to stay. You must not overstay your pass under any circumstances.

How long is a Malaysia tourist visa valid?

A Malaysian tourist visa (eVisa included) is valid for a maximum of 3 months and for a single entry. However, you can only stay in Malaysia for a maximum of 30 days. It is the immigration officers at the Malaysian point of entry who decides how long you can stay.

An eNTRI visa is only valid for 15 days, and you cannot apply for another eNTRI unless three months have passed since your current one.

How long a Malaysia tourist visa valid is. (Source: Property Finder)

You cannot extend a Malaysian tourist visa. If you need to stay in Malaysia longer, you can apply for a multiple entry visa, which is issued for business and governmental purposes.

Tips for a smooth entry at Malaysia Immigration

1. Prepare your documents in advance: You should check your passport, visa (if required), travel schedule, and any other documents that are easily accessible in case you need them.
2. Answer immigration questions clearly: In this step, you should stay calm, answer directly, and provide documents if necessary because officials may just ask your purpose of travelling.
3. Be aware of restrictions on controlled items: You should search for things that are banned in Malaysia to avoid being related to some strict check from officials.

Conclusion

Either a short-term visit or long-term journey, understanding Malaysia’s visa and entry requirements will help you a lot on your trip to this nation, though Malaysia offers flexible choices for visitors from other countries. And now, if you are ready, please join Asia King Travel to explore this majestic land, from bustling markets to stunning islands and everything in between.

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