5
(1)

The Malaysian government is highly cautious about foreigners who try to enter the country. Therefore they have set specific requirements for foreigners who want to try to enter the country and for the time of their stay. Some international tourists are allowed to visit Malaysia on a short-term basis without the obligation of obtaining a Malaysia tourist visa. However, this option is not for all tourists, and many foreign tourists are required to apply for a Malaysia tourist visa before they can visit the country.

Moreover, a Malaysia tourist visa is not the only way of getting into Malaysia. Tourists can also attempt to acquire a Short Term Social Visit Pass, which might be granted to a tourist by an Immigration Officer at the Malaysian port of entry.

In this essay, we will share details about the Malaysia tourist visa, foreigners who need it, and methods to apply for it.

What is a Malaysia Tourist Visa?

A Malaysia country tourist visa is considered a Single Entry Visa. This means that tourists are allowed only one entry to the country. Multiple-entry visas are valid for a longer period; however, they are not usually issued for tourism.

Moreover, a Malaysian tourist visa is a Visa Without Reference. Tourists don’t need the Malaysian Immigration Department’s permission to receive their visas. It is the obligation of the Malaysian Representative Office Abroad to issue tourist visas.

Malaysian tourist visas do not guarantee entry to the country because they are actually considered pre-entry requirements. Tourist visas only allow international tourists to travel to Malaysia and necessarily enter.

When tourists arrive at the port of entry, it is up to the Immigration Officers to make the decision about whether a tourist is qualified to enter Malaysia, excluding tourists’ need for visas and their purpose of travel.

If immigration officers find a tourist fit to enter, they will give the tourist a Pass (a stamp on the passport). A Pass is chosen based on the reason for travel. For example, tourists receive a Short Term Social Visit Pass for tourism-related purposes.

Who Can Get a Malaysia Tourist Visa?

Nationals of the following countries are eligible to apply for a Malaysian tourist visa:

AfghanistanAngolaBangladeshBhutan
Burkina FasoBurundiCameroonThe central African Republic
ChinaColombiaComorosCongo Democratic Republic
Congo RepublicCôte D’IvoireDjiboutiEquatorial Guinea
EritreaEthiopiaGhanaGuinea-Bissau
Hong KongIndiaLiberiaMali
MozambiqueMyanmarNepalNiger
NigerPakistanRwandaSerbia
MontenegroSri LankaUnited Nations Laissez-PasserWestern Sahara

Nationals of other countries who plan to visit Malaysia for a short time and for tourism do not need a tourist visa. Residents of some countries can even stay in Malaysia without a visa for longer than others.

How Can I Apply for a Malaysia Tourist Visa? 

There are two methods for applying for a Malaysian tourist visa. These methods depend on the nationality of the tourists. Tourists can apply:

  • In person. Tourists can apply for visas through this method at an authorized Visa Application Center or a Malaysian Embassy or Consulate abroad.
  • Online. This method is only for nationals of certain countries.

Applying for a Malaysia Tourist Visa in Person

Tourists who plan to travel to Malaysia should go through the swallowing steps. Tourists must:

  1. Find a Malaysian Embassy or Consulate abroad to apply.
  2. Download the form for Malaysian tourist visa applications.
  3. Gather the documents for a tourist visa application to Malaysia.
  4. Submit the application along with the documents to the embassy/consulate.
  5. Wait for the processing to finish.

Find a Malaysian Embassy or Consulate abroad to apply

To apply in person, tourists need to find the nearest Malaysian Embassy or Consulate. There are also Visa Application Centers that can submit the visa application for tourists.

Download the form for Malaysian tourist visa applications

At this step, tourists must visit the website of the Immigration Department of Malaysia and download the Malaysian Visa application form. They must complete it electronically using a computer and Adobe Reader (or an equivalent program) and print two copies of the form. Finally, they must sign the copies.

Gather the documents for a tourist visa application to Malaysia

In the matter of required documents, every Malaysian Embassy or consulate might ask for different documents. However, to obtain a Malaysian tourist visa, tourists must collect the documents below. Read our article to learn about the general Malaysian visa requirements.

  • Copies of the Malaysia Visa Application Form (must be two copies).
  • The tourist’s passport (must be valid for at least another six months)
  • Tourist’s pictures (must be two picture-sized photos based on Malaysia photo requirements). Incorrect pictures can result in visa rejections.
  • A complete flight schedule, including a return ticket.
  • Evidence, such as a hotel booking related to accommodation in Malaysia.
  • An invitation letter from the tourist’s host or sponsor in Malaysia. The host or sponsor must confirm in the letter that the tourist will be staying with them, as this will be accepted as evidence of accommodation.
  • A No Objection Letter from the tourist’s employer or educational institute.
  • Evidence of adequate assets to support the duration of their stay.
  • Evidence of a paid Malaysian visa fee. Some Embassies or Consulates require a cash payment, while other embassies will only accept bank transactions.
  • A certificate confirming Yellow Fever Vaccination. This is required if tourists are from countries that are at risk of Yellow Fever. Tourists who have traveled recently to such countries for longer than 12 hours must also submit such a document.

Submit the application along with the documents to the embassy/consulate

After all the required documents are collected, tourists should submit these documents along with the application form to the Malaysian Embassy or Consulate. Because the tourist’s visa application is approved, they need to leave their passport at the embassy so that the visa can be attached to it.

Wait for the processing to finish

Depending on the Malaysian embassy, the processing time of a Malaysian tourist visa can be different. However, it usually takes about a week. Finally, tourists must visit the embassy one more time to collect their passports with the visa on them, so they can travel to Malaysia.

Applying for a Malaysia Tourist Visa Online

Residents of the following countries are able to apply for a Malaysia tourist visa online:

ChinaIndiaSri LankaNepalMyanmar
BangladeshPakistanBhutanSerbiaMontenegro

There are two online visa applications available in Malaysia, which allow nationals of the following countries to receive their Malaysia visas faster:

  • Malaysia eVisa. This type of visa is valid for three months and allows its holders to stay for a maximum of 30 days in Malaysia.
  • Malaysia eNTRI. This visa is only allocated to nationals of China and India. An eNRTI allows its holders a 15-day stay in Malaysia.

If a tourist’s Malaysia tourist visa online application is approved, they will receive an electronic version of it which they can print. Tourists need to show this visa to the Immigration Officers upon arrival at the Malaysian port of entry.

What Should I Do After I Arrive at the Malaysian Port of Entry?

Upon arrival in Malaysia, tourists must go through border control. At this point, the Immigration Officer determines whether to permit entry. Tourists must bring and submit the following documents:

  • The passport and visa.
  • Their round-trip flight ticket.
  • Evidence of sufficient assets.
  • A completed Arrival/Departure Card. Tourists can get this card after they arrive at the point of entry.
  • Evidence showing tourist’s accommodation.
  • A certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination.
  • An invitation letter from the host.

If the tourist is considered eligible, they will be given a Short Term Social Visit Pass. Every foreign tourist who enters Malaysia must get a Pass because their pass shows the number of days you are allowed to stay. This pass is issued no matter whether the tourist needs a visa or not.

Note: Under no circumstances should you overstay your Pass.

How Long is the Validity of a Malaysia Tourist Visa?

A Malaysian tourist visa holds its validity for up to 3 months and is considered a single entry visa. However, a Malaysian tourist visa allows a stay of 30 days in Malaysia. It is the duty of the immigration officers to decide the duration of stay at the point of entry.

On the other hand, an eNTRI visa has validity for 15 days. After that, tourists must wait for three months before they can apply for another one.

A Malaysian tourist visa cannot be extended. However, in case a tourist wishes to stay in Malaysia longer, they can request a multiple entry visa. These visas are issued for business or governmental purposes.

What is a Malaysia Tourist Visa On Arrival?

Nationals of India or China can get a Malaysian Visa On Arrival. They can apply for this visa at the point of entry if they meet all the following conditions:

  • They are coming straight from Indonesia, Singapore, or Thailand.
  • They have valid visas for one of those countries.
  • They have a return or onward flight ticket. (must be dated within the next 7 days)
  • They possess at least USD 1000 for each person.

The Bottom Line…

Malaysia is a desired vacation destination for many international tourists worldwide. The Malaysian government has issued regulations for obtaining a Malaysian tourist visa. International tourists can apply for this type of visa in person or online; however, applying online is only for certain countries. Citizens of India or China can apply for a Malaysia visa on arrival as well.

How useful was this article?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 1

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this article.

4 Comments

  1. Chandrika Wanasinghe says:

    My son wishes to continue studies in Malaysia and applied for a study program to join in October 2022 intake. We are planning to get a rented two room private apartment as his. accommodation. As the mother of the child can I apply for long term social Visit Pass for 03 months to stay with him or else what is the best visa period that I can apply to stay with him 90 days or more please advise. We are Sri Lankan.

  2. B Rajabali says:

    You can apply for a tourist visa and stay for 3 months. Ask the embassy in your home country what other option they have for you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.