Malaysia's Immigration Department says the eVISA is only compulsory for 31 specific nationalities, for social visits. It says Chinese citizens on Ordinary or Public Affairs passports can enter visa-free for social visits of up to 30 days per entry from 1 September 2026, and that Indian nationals are exempt from the visa for social visits until 31 December 2026. Visitors must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), which Canada's travel advice says is free and can be filled in up to three days before arrival.
Every fact on this page verified on or after: Aug 25, 2026· How this site works
Check requirements for your passport
Requirements differ by nationality. Select your passport above, or scan the full table below.
Visas & entry authorisations
eVISA — Single Entry Visa (SEV)
Fee
Not published
Processing
2–7 business days
Entries
single
Documents the application asks for
Passport-sized studio photo — 35 × 50 mm, plain white background with no border, full face, eyes open, neutral expression; head 30–35 mm from chin to crown.
Passport biodata page — The passport must be valid for more than 6 months from the travel date to Malaysia.
Passport page with the previous passport number
Round-trip flight ticket or proof of journey
Proof of paid accommodation or hotel booking
Proof of financial support
Birth certificate — For minor applicants.
Entry requirements
Passport validity
Malaysia's Immigration Department says travel documents must be valid for six months or more from the date of entry into Malaysia.
Yellow fever (ICVP) — Malaysia's Immigration Department says a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate must be presented upon arrival for travellers from countries at risk of yellow fever infection.
No official source we could read states whether travel insurance is required to enter Malaysia. The UK Foreign Office advises checking before you travel that you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) — The Immigration Department requires visitors to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my and to present their passports together with a complete MDAC to the Immigration Officer. The MDAC registration form says your trip must be within 3 days, including the date of submission. Canada's travel advice says the MDAC is free and warns against websites that charge fees for it. The UK government says you do not need to complete an arrival card if you are not passing through immigration. (within 3 days before arrival, including the day you submit it) imigresen-online.imi.gov.my ↗(opens in a new tab)
The Immigration Department says staying past the expiry or cancellation of a visit pass is an offence under section 15(4) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, punishable by a fine of up to RM10,000, imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both, and lists a compound of RM3,000 for it.
Tourism tax — Ten ringgit per night for each room. Paid at the accommodation.
Under the Tourism Tax Act and the Rate of Tax Order in force from 15 December 2025, a tourist staying at accommodation premises pays tourism tax of ten ringgit per night for each room to the operator. Malaysian nationals and permanent residents are exempt.
Exemptions: Malaysian nationals and permanent residents of Malaysia.
Departure levy — To ASEAN countries: RM 8 economy, RM 50 other classes. To other countries: RM 20 economy, RM 150 other classes.
Under the Departure Levy Act, any person who leaves Malaysia pays a departure levy at the rate in the First Schedule, which depends on the destination and the class of travel.
Exemptions: Infants under 24 months and air passengers in transit, among others listed in the exemption order.
Royal Malaysian Customs says travellers entering or leaving Malaysia with cash and bearer negotiable instruments exceeding USD 10,000 equivalent must declare them on Customs Form No. 7, and that importing or exporting Malaysian ringgit exceeding USD 10,000 equivalent needs prior permission from Bank Negara Malaysia.
The UK says possessing drugs in Malaysia, even in very small quantities, carries severe penalties, including a possible death sentence by hanging for drug trafficking.
Canada's travel advice says particularly strict rules on alcohol and public decency can be applied in some states, such as Kelantan and Terengganu.
Malaysia's Immigration Department says a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate must be presented upon arrival for travellers from countries at risk of yellow fever infection.
The 42 countries WHO lists as a yellow fever risk
Requirements normally count any country you have been in shortly before arrival, not only where you boarded.
International Health Regulations (2005), Article 36 and Annex 7; WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1, 18 November 2022 (revised 3 January 2023)
Country in a nutshell
Currency
Malaysian ringgit (MYR, RM)
Safety — Exercise caution
The UK government says bag-snatching is common, particularly in major cities, and thieves on motorbikes can target tourists, and that credit card and ATM fraud is widespread. It advises against all but essential travel to all islands and dive sites off the coast of eastern Sabah from Sandakan to Tawau because of the threat of kidnapping; this does not apply to the mainland of Sabah.Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: gov.uk (opens in a new tab) · archived copy Aug 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) Aug 29, 2026
Power plugs
A, C, G, M · 240V 50Hz
Emergency numbers
Police: 999 · Ambulance: 999 · Fire: 994
Languages
Malay
Time zone
UTC+8
Driving side
left
International Driving Permit
Malaysia is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (UN Treaty Collection). Malaysia's Road Transport Act 1987 (s. 28) deems a driving licence from a country party to a treaty to which Malaysia is also party, and which recognises domestic licences, a Malaysian licence while it remains in force; the Act does not mention an international driving permit. The UK government says UK drivers need both the 1949 international driving permit (IDP) and their UK driving licence; Canada's travel advice says that after 3 months Canadian licence holders can drive with an international driving permit.
No official source we could read names a best time to visit Malaysia. Canada's travel advice says the rainy (monsoon) season extends from November to March, and that severe rainstorms have occasionally caused flooding and landslides.
Tips & warnings
Canada's travel advice reports an increase in online scams related to the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), says the MDAC is a free service, and advises not to use any website that charges fees for arrival cards and to use only the official website.
The UK says the Malaysian authorities have a zero-tolerance policy to drug offences, with penalties including a long jail sentence, a possible whipping and a possible death sentence by hanging for drug trafficking, and that the authorities could ask you to take a urine test on arrival if they suspect drug use.
The UK says you must carry your passport when travelling between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah or Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo): you pass through immigration control and get entry and exit stamps.
Visa requirements by nationality
Visa requirements by nationality. Stay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.
The United States is not on the Immigration Department's list of countries required to apply for a visa to enter Malaysia, and its eVISA FAQ says the eVISA is only compulsory for 31 specific nationalities; no official source we could read states how long US citizens may stay. Visitors must also complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online, which Canada's travel advice says is free and can be filled in up to three days before arrival.
What is the MDAC and who needs it?
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is the arrival form that the Immigration Department requires visitors to complete at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac. Canada's travel advice says it is a free online pre-arrival form that can be filled in up to three days before arrival.
Can Chinese and Indian citizens visit Malaysia without a visa?
Yes. The Immigration Department says that from 1 September 2026 Chinese citizens on Ordinary or Public Affairs passports valid for at least 6 months can enter visa-free for social visits of up to 30 days per entry, and that Indian nationals are exempt from the visa for social visits until 31 December 2026. Visitors must also complete the MDAC.
How much does a Malaysia eVisa cost?
No official page we could read states the eVISA fee. The MyVISA FAQ says the eVISA is only compulsory for 31 specific nationalities and that processing takes 2 to 7 working days.
When is the best time to visit Malaysia?
No official source we could read names a best time to visit. Canada's travel advice says the rainy (monsoon) season extends from November to March, and that severe rainstorms have occasionally caused flooding and landslides.
Sources & verification
Every fact on this page is compiled from and periodically re-checked against these official sources:
Malaysia visa and entry requirements
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