As you may already know, a Malaysia visa does not guarantee entry into Malaysia for foreign nationals. Foreigners must receive a Pass related to their travel purpose at the Malaysian entry point upon arrival. A Pass is a stamp on the traveler’s passport. A Pass allows foreigners to remain in Malaysia for a specific amount of time.
According to the foreigner’s length of stay in Malaysia and their purpose of travel, they will receive different types of passes. For example, the Short Term Social Visit Pass for Malaysia is granted to foreigners when they plan to travel for tourism, business, and social visit purposes.
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ToggleWho Needs a Visa for a Malaysia Short Term Social Visit Pass?
Foreign nationals from the countries below have to apply for a visa in order to get a Malaysia short term social visit pass:

Afghanistan | Angola | Bangladesh | Bhutan |
Burkina Faso | Burundi | Cameroon | The central African Republic |
China | Colombia | Comoros | Congo Democratic Republic |
Congo Republic | Côte D’Ivoire | Djibouti | Equatorial Guinea |
Eritrea | Ethiopia | Ghana | Guinea-Bissau |
Hong Kong | India | Liberia | Mali |
Mozambique | Myanmar | Nepal | Niger |
Niger | Pakistan | Rwanda | Serbia |
Montenegro | Sri Lanka | United Nations (Laissez Passer) | Western Sahara |
Who Needs a Malaysia Short Term Social Visit Pass?
Here is a list of all the acceptable reasons for traveling to Malaysia and obtaining a Malaysia short-term social visit pass. Read our article to learn about the general Malaysian visa requirements.
- Attending a social visit.
- For tourism.
- For journalism or reporting.
- Attending business meetings or discussions.
- Attending seminars or conferences.
- Signing agreements.
- Carrying out a survey (These surveys must be related to investment opportunities or setting up a factory.)
- To take an exam at a university.
- Students who are on a goodwill mission.
- Competing in a sporting competition.
- To do any other immigration Director General approved activity.
However, keep in mind that you cannot take up any work while in Malaysia with a Short Term Social Visit Pass.
The Malaysia country immigration officers issue Short Term Social Visit Passes if the applicants fall into one of the categories:
- They are from visa-required countries (in the above table), and they have already obtained a Malaysian visa in advance.
- They are from visa-exempt countries and traveled to Malaysia visa-free.
Can I get a Malaysia Short Term Social Visit Pass Without a visa?
The answer is Yes. Foreign travelers from countries exempt from obtaining a Malaysian visa can travel to Malaysia without a visa. These foreigners are allowed and acquire a Short Term Social Visit Pass at the point of entry without the need for a Malaysia visa.
What are the Required Documents for a Malaysia Short Term Social Visit Pass?
Upon arrival, travelers must prove to the Immigration Offices that they are fit to enter the country. In addition, they must submit the required document for a Malaysia visa with them:
- Passport (must be valid for another 6 months)
- Visa (if the traveler needs a visa because of their origin country).
- Evidence of adequate assets to cover their expenses in Malaysia.
- Evidence of accommodation in Malaysia, for example, a hotel booking.
- A round-trip flight ticket.
- A completed Arrival or Departure Card (travelers can receive this card upon entry.)
- Documents showing the travelers’ purpose of travel.
- Any other relevant documents for a visa application.
How to get a Malaysia Short Term Social Visit Pass?
After arrival, foreign travelers can receive a Short Term Social Visit Pass at the Malaysian point of entry. The Immigration Officers only issue a Pass to foreigners if they come to realize that the travelers are fit to enter Malaysia.
Type of Visa for a Malaysia Short Term Social Visit Pass
There are two types of visas appropriate for a Malaysia short term social visit pass. Travelers with one of the travel purposes above can apply for:
- A Single Entry Visa (travelers can only enter Malaysia one time.)
- A Visa Without Reference (travelers don’t need any permission from the Immigration Department of Malaysia to receive their visas. Instead, It is the obligation of the Malaysian Representative Office Abroad to issue visas.)
How Can I Apply for a Malaysian Visa?
Applicants for Malaysia visas can request a Malaysia visa using two methods: in person and online.
In person
Applicants must visit a Malaysian Representative Office Abroad, such as an embassy or consulate, and submit their visa request as shown below:
- Find a Malaysian Embassy or Consulate. Learn about the required documents and opening hours by visiting their website.
- Download the Application Form for Malaysia Visa. This form can be found on the embassy or consulate website or the Malaysia immigration Department website.
- Collect the required documents. Applicants must submit their documents along with their passport and the application form.
- Collect the passport with the visa attached to it if the visa request is approved.
- Travel to Malaysia using the visa and ask for a Short Term Social Visit Pass.
Online
Applying for a Malaysia online visa is limited to certain countries. However, applicants can submit their requests at the windowmalaysia.com website.
Using this method, applicants must upload their documents electronically; however, the visa process will be done faster, and the applicants do not need to leave home.
If the visa is approved, it must be printed and used in order to request a Short Term Social Visit Pass.
How Long is a Malaysia Short Term Social Visit Pass Valid?
The Immigration Officers at the point of entry decide the validity of your Malaysia Short Term Social Visit Pass. However, depending on the applicants’ nationality and type of visa, the visa Pass validity can be:
- Up to 90 days (for visa-exempt nationals)
- Up to 30 days, if:
- Visa-exempt nationals are allowed to stay in Malaysia without a visa for up to 30 days.
- The applicant has a Malaysia tourist visa.
- Up to 15 days (for Indian or Chinese nationals who have eNTRI visas)
- Up to 14 days (for visa-exempt nationals who are allowed to stay in Malaysia without a visa for up to 14 days)
- Up to 7 days (for Indian or Chinese nationals who have a Malaysian Visa On Arrival)
Note: Applicant must keep in mind that there is a difference between the number of days for a Malaysia visa and a Malaysia Pass. For instance, an applicant is allowed a stay for up to 90 days but only receives 30 days for a Short Term Social Visit Pass.
Can I Extend a Malaysia Short Term Social Visit Pass?
Extending a Malaysia Short Term Social Visit Pass is not possible in most typical cases. Therefore, only travelers with extreme circumstances are subject to extensions. For example, if a traveler became ill, had an accident, or an event, such as political conflict or war, that endangered the traveler’s life in their country.
Applicants must download Form IMM.55 and complete it to apply for a Short Term Social Visit Pass extension. Then, they need to collect documents and use them as evidence for their extension request at an Immigration Office in Malaysia.
Note: Under no circumstances should the travelers overstay your Pass. The act of staying in Malaysia illegally is punishable by fines and jail time.
The Bottom Line…
Malaysian government issues Short Term Social Visit Passes mainly for various travel purposes, such as business, attending seminars and conferences, etc. A social visit pass can have different periods of validity based on the travelers’ nationality and type of visa. Applicants can obtain a visit Pass either by applying in person at a Malaysian embassy or consulate or by applying online. However, keep in mind that online applications are limited to certain countries.
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- Max-B.
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