Malaysia entry requirements, by passport
What you need to get into Malaysia depends on the passport in your hand. Find yours below: the visa or e-authorisation, how long you can stay, the official fee and the government page to apply on.
14 of 32 passports verified on official pages.
What each passport needs
| Passport | To get in | Stay | Document and fee | Apply | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Visa-free | up to 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Canada | Visa-free | up to 3 months | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Mexico | Visa-free | up to 30 days (the usual stamp for Mexicans | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Brazil | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| United Kingdom | Visa-free | up to 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Ireland | Visa-free | up to 90 days, at the immigration officer's discretion | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Germany | Visa-free | up to 3 months | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| France | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Italy | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Spain | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Netherlands | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Switzerland | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Russia | Visa-free | Typically 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Türkiye | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Israel | Not admitted | Special approval from Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs | Official page | Likely | |
| United Arab Emirates | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Saudi Arabia | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| India | Visa-free | up to 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| China (mainland) | Visa-free | up to 30 days per visit | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Hong Kong SAR | Visa-free | up to 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Taiwan | Visa-free | up to 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Japan | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| South Korea | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Singapore | Visa-free | up to 30 days per Singapore MFA guidance | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Malaysia | Own country | ||||
| Thailand | Visa-free | Under 1 month | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Vietnam | Visa-free | Under 1 month | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Philippines | Visa-free | Under 1 month | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Indonesia | Visa-free | Under 1 month | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Australia | Visa-free | up to 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| New Zealand | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
| Nigeria | e-Visa before you fly | Typically 30 days | Malaysia eVISAOfficial fee: Visa fee RM 20 (IMI rate for unlisted countries) plus eVISA processing chargeApply: Apply before travel; allow at least a few working days | Official page | Likely |
| South Africa | Visa-free | Typically 90 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Likely |
Verified means NUM read it on a government page on 10–11 Oct 2026. Likely means a reputable source says it and one official page agreed. Not checked yet means NUM could not confirm it: use the official page. Fees are as published on that date and can change.
The rules everyone meets at the border
Passport
Passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond arrival (US, UK, Irish and German advice). You must exit on the same passport you entered with. Irish passport cards and German ID cards are not accepted. Safe standard: 6 months left on the day you arrive.
Arrival card
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC). Within 3 days before arrival Fee: Free.
Official form · free on the official site
Border systems for every visitor
No ETA. MDAC applies to almost all foreign visitors. Exempt: Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders, diplomatic/official passport holders, travellers not passing immigration (airside transit) and some border-pass holders. Beware fake MDAC sites. Airlines may ask to see the MDAC at check-in (GOV.UK). Hong Kong, Irish and German government advice (checked 11 Oct 2026) all repeat the 3-day window.
Onward ticket
Immigration may ask for a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation, and you must show your boarding pass at passport control.
Proof of funds
Sufficient funds for the stay may be requested.
Travel insurance
Not required for a visit.
Vaccinations
Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country (US guidance includes layovers of 12+ hours there).
Cash to declare at customs
Declare cash/bearer instruments over USD 10,000 (or equivalent) on entry and exit. Carrying more than USD 10,000-equivalent in Malaysian ringgit needs Bank Negara Malaysia permission. Penalties up to RM 3 million and 5 years.
Taxes, levies and fees
Foreign guests pay a Tourism Tax per room per night at registered accommodation (RM 10 under the Tourism Tax Act; not re-verified in this pass). Airport departure levy is included in airfares.
Medicines, vapes and banned items
Drugs: death penalty for trafficking; urine tests on arrival if drug use is suspected, even if taken abroad legally; cannabis and CBD products banned. Medicines: declare if unsure, carry prescription and doctor's letter. Unlicensed firearms, ammunition (incl. spent cases) and replica weapons banned.
Travelling with children
No Malaysia-specific consent-letter rule found in the sources checked.
Work, study, working holiday and nomad visas
Every official route NUM found for Malaysia. You apply directly with the government.
Work permits
Foreign professionals with a Malaysian employer
Stay: Up to 5 years depending on category
Employer registered with ESD; salary-based categories (thresholds revised in 2025-26, not re-verified in this pass)
Study
Students accepted by Malaysian institutions
Stay: Course duration
Offer letter; EMGS application and medical screening (not re-verified)
Digital nomad
Remote digital/tech workers and freelancers
Stay: 3-12 months, renewable once for 12 months
Minimum annual income (USD 24,000 for tech talent; higher for non-tech) and remote contract (not re-verified in this pass)
Long stay
Long-stay residents and retirees; Israeli nationals excluded
Stay: Renewable multi-year passes by tier (Silver/Gold/Platinum after the 2024 revamp)
Fixed deposit and property purchase thresholds by tier (not re-verified in this pass)
Family
Spouses and children of Employment Pass holders; foreign spouses of Malaysians
Stay: Tied to sponsor / up to 5 years for spouses
Sponsor documents (not re-verified)
Business
Meetings, conferences, market surveys
Stay: As for tourist
No employment allowed
Transit
Visa-required nationals may transit KLIA airside up to 24 hours without a visa (cannot change terminals without one)
Stay: Up to 24 hours
Confirmed onward ticket
Official fee: Transit visa where needed: RM 20 (RM 50 India)
Tourist
Visitors; nationals on IMI's visa-required list apply for an eVISA
Stay: Visa-free length set by nationality (14/30/90 days); single-entry eVISA usually 30 days
Passport valid 6 months, MDAC, return ticket, funds
Official fee: Visa fee RM 20 for most countries (RM 50 India, RM 30 China) plus eVISA processing
What changed, and what is coming
- 2026-12-31 · Confirmed Temporary visa exemption for Indian nationals ends unless extended again. Source
- 2025-07-17 · In force China-Malaysia mutual visa exemption took effect: 30 days per stay, max 90 days in any 180, for PRC and Malaysian ordinary passports. Source
- 2025 · In force Visa exemption for Indian nationals (30 days) runs until 31 Dec 2026. Source
Your checklist, with the dates it is due
NUM builds it for your passport and your travel dates: the authorisation and when to apply, the arrival card and the day it opens, what to carry at the border, your own country's exit rules, and a calendar file for every deadline.
Every document here is issued by a government, and the official link is the only place to get it. Most arrival cards and many authorisations are free. NUM is not a visa service and cannot apply for anything. Rules change without notice: the official page always has the final word.