Malaysia Visa Guide: Requirements, Fees & How to Apply
Planning a trip to Malaysia? The visa question has a short answer: most travelers don’t need one. Malaysia lets citizens of many countries enter without a visa for 14, 30 or 90 days, depending on nationality. Citizens of a shorter list of countries must get an eVisa before they fly.
There’s one step almost everyone shares, though. Nearly all foreign visitors must submit a free online form, the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, before they land. Here’s how the whole process works.
Do You Need a Visa for Malaysia?
Your nationality decides this, not the country you’re flying from. Check your passport first.
Visa-free entry. Most visitors fall here. Citizens of countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and most EU states are commonly listed with up to 90 days. Many Asian and Latin American passports get 30 days. A small group gets 14 days.
eVisa required. Citizens of a limited list of countries must apply online before travel. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Myanmar are among them. The application runs through the official portal at malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my.
The thing is, these lists change. Confirm your passport on the Immigration Department of Malaysia website before you book flights.
India and China: A Temporary Exemption
Malaysia introduced visa-free entry for Indian and Chinese nationals on 1 December 2023 under its Visa Liberalisation Plan. The government later extended it until 31 December 2026. For Indian citizens, the stay is up to 30 days for tourism, business visits and social visits. Work and study still need a visa.
That end date is just over two months away. If you plan to travel in 2027, check whether the exemption has been renewed. Chinese travelers should also confirm the current permitted stay on the official site, because published reports on the length of stay differ.
Entry Requirements for Every Visitor
Whether you’re visa-free or holding an eVisa, Malaysian authorities set these basic conditions:
A passport valid for more than six months
A valid visa, if your nationality requires one
Enough money to cover your stay
No listing on the Immigration Department’s suspect list or lost-document system
Keep your return or onward travel plans handy too. Airlines may also ask for your MDAC confirmation at check-in.
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)
The MDAC is not a visa. It’s a digital form that replaced the old paper arrival card, and it has been compulsory for foreign visitors since 1 January 2024.
Here’s what to know:
It’s free. Use only the official portal at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main.
Timing matters. Submit it within three days before arrival, counting the day you arrive.
One card per person. Children need their own.
New trip, new card. You must submit it before every entry, even if you use the e-gate.
Save the confirmation. An email arrives from mdac@imi.gov.my. Keep it on your phone.
The form asks for passport details, your arrival date, the last port you left from, your flight number and the address of your first night’s stay. Holders of diplomatic or official passports and users of the Brunei-Malaysia Frequent Travel Facility are exempt.
While you’re on the portal, note the customs reminder. Declare cash or bearer instruments above USD 10,000 equivalent. Carrying more than USD 10,000 equivalent in ringgit needs permission from Bank Negara Malaysia.
How to Apply for a Malaysia eVisa
If your nationality needs a visa, the process is fully online.
Confirm you need one. Check the official list for your passport.
Gather your documents. Applicants typically upload a passport scan, a recent photo, a flight itinerary, a hotel booking and a bank statement. Some travel purposes need extra papers, such as an invitation letter.
Register and apply. Create an account at malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my and choose single or multiple entry. Apply from your country of residence.
Pay online. The fees are explained below.
Wait for approval. Processing usually takes a few working days, so apply well before your trip.
Print the approval. Present a printed copy on arrival. The Malaysian High Commission in Dhaka asks for A4 paper.
Single Entry or Multiple Entry?
A single-entry visa is valid for three months from the issue date and ends once you enter Malaysia. It allows a stay of up to 30 days for most visa-required nationalities, though the stay can vary, so check yours.
The multiple-entry option is open to all nationalities except Israel and North Korea. It allows 30 days per entry as long as your passport stays valid. Choose it if you plan to leave and re-enter, for example on a side trip to Singapore or Thailand.
Malaysia eVisa Fees
An eVisa fee has several parts:
A processing fee of RM 105 on every application
A visa fee that depends on your nationality (the High Commission in Dhaka lists RM 20 for Bangladeshi passports)
Agency or convenience charges, which may be added at checkout
Your exact total appears on the portal before you pay. Fees can change, so don’t rely on any blog, including this one, for the final figure.
Mistakes That Cause Trouble
Most problems are small and easy to avoid.
Using look-alike websites. Never pay anyone for the MDAC. Go straight to the official government portals.
Submitting the MDAC too early. If your arrival date falls outside the three-day window, you may need to submit a new card.
Skipping the printout. An eVisa on your phone alone can cause delays. Print it.
Forgetting East Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak run their own immigration checks. Flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu or Kuching usually means another passport check and a separate entry stamp.
Overstaying. It’s a serious offence in Malaysia. Check the date on your entry stamp and don’t count on getting an extension. Ask the Immigration Department if you need more time.
Your Quick Checklist
Before you fly, check these five things: your passport validity, whether you need an eVisa, the India or China exemption date if it applies to you, your MDAC confirmation, and your printed eVisa if required. Do that, and the border crossing in Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Langkawi is usually a quick, routine stop.
Related Guides
Return to the main Malaysia travel guide. See also best time to visit and best places.
Last checked against official Immigration Department guidance. Always verify the latest requirements for your nationality before booking or travelling.