Applying for a visa for Malaysia can be a long process and patience is needed. Whether you need a visa depends on your reason for coming to Malaysia, how long you are staying, and nationality. To apply for a visa go to a Malaysian embassy or consulate in your home country. You will have to pay a fee which greatly varies from country to country.
Upon arrival in Malaysia you will be required to present proof of sufficient financial funds to stay in Malaysia for the period intended as well as a valid return ticket. In addition, you will be asked to fill out an Arrival/Departure Card which is available at all entry points. Malaysia consists of two separate land masses, the peninsular West Malaysia and East Malaysia. To travel from one part to another, all travel documents are required.
This section is intended for reference only. We strongly recommend that you contact the embassy directly for the most up-to-date information that pertains to your specific situation.
You must have a valid passport to travel abroad. A passport is an official government document that certifies one's identity and citizenship. The process and cost associated with getting a passport can be high, so start the process at least six months before you plan to leave. Your passport must be valid 6 months beyond your intended stay. Minors are allowed to travel on their parents' passports up until aged 15 years.
A visa is a stamp or endorsement placed by officials on a passport that allows the bearer to enter the country. This permission is called "entry clearance".
If you are traveling to Malaysia as a tourist or for business purposes, you may not require a visa and will receive 90 days on arrival either from the airport or overland point. Countries that do not require a visa include most countries of the European Union, the USA and many Commonwealth members. Citizens of Afghanistan, Israel, Serbia and Montenegro, however, cannot enter Malaysia without approval from the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA or Kementerian Dalam Negeri).
For specific information on whether you need a visa and country requirements, consult the MOHA's visa requirements by country.
Single entry visa: This visa allows only one entrance into the country and has a validation of 90 days. It is usually issued for the purpose of social visits.
Multiple entry visas: This visa ranges from 3 to 12 months and is issued for business or governmental purposes. To obtain a multiple entry visa, the applicant has to prove they have sufficient financial funds to cover their stay and a valid return ticket.
Transit visa: Aimed for travelers who only transit Malaysia on the way to another country and lasts only for 120 hours.
The application can be found online or at the nearest embassy.
These passes are issued for temporary residence. This is for foreigners who are children and spouses of Malaysian nationals or permanent residents, and for immediate family members of foreign students or foreigners coming to Malaysia for medical treatment. For further information and the respective document requirements, go to the website of the Malaysian Immigration Department .
Foreign students who wish to study at a Malaysian university or language school have to apply at the respective Malaysian educational institution prior to entry. Once they receive an offer letter they must submit:
A Student Pass costs RM 60.00 per year.
Foreign students are allowed to work, yet only in restaurants, petrol stations, and hotels. However, if the academic performance is not satisfying, the permission will not be renewed.
Information about the student pass on the Immigration Department of Malaysia site.
For a foreign national to obtain a work permit,
A work permits is usually issued for periods between 6 months and 5 years.
Depending on the type of job and skills, different working passes are issued when obtaining a work permit.
Employment Pass: This pass is issued to employees with specific skills, usually for technical or managerial jobs. The minimum period is usually 2 years. Requirements & application for Employment Pass for Malaysia
Temporary Employment Pass: Issued for employment for less than 2 years or for jobs with a monthly salary less than RM 5000. Requirements & application for Temporary Employment Pass
Professional Visit Pass: Issued to foreign nationals who remain employed by the company in the home country but are required by a Malaysian company to provide certain services for a period up to 6 months. Requirements & application for Professional Visit Pass for Malaysia
As for employers, any information regarding the visa process, requirements or the necessary forms, can be viewed on the official website of the Malaysian Immigration Department.
Foreign nationals are eligible for permanent residency if they:
In order to apply, submit the following documents at the Malaysian Immigration Department:
The MM2H program allows all foreigners who fulfill certain requirements to stay in the country on a long-term visa for at least 10 years with the option of extension. People can enter and leave the country freely without restrictions and bring a spouse, dependent parents above the age of 60, and children under the age of 21.
MM2H visa holders are not allowed to work while in Malaysia. However, participants 50 and above are allowed to take up part-time employment.
Financial and medical conditions are required for a successful application. All applicants have to show that they are financially capable of maintaining themselves for the time being in Malaysia. This means in practice that an offshore income of RM 10.000 must be shown. In addition, applicants under the age of 50 years have to show proof of a minimum of RM 500.000 in liquid assets. Applicants aged over 50 years are RM 350.000.
All applicants are obliged to submit a medical report from a registered private clinic in Malaysia as it's required to purchase local medical insurance.
Required Documents:
You may also apply through an agent.
Any foreign citizen granted with Permanent Resident status will be issued and Entry Permit and Identification Card (MyPR).
The MyPR Card provides permanent residents with identification. Cards cost RM 40.00.
Applicants should be made at the National Registration Department of Malaysia ( NRD) headquarters.
Headquarters - National Registration Department Malaysia
Ministry of Home Affairs
No.20, Precinct 2
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62551 Federal Territory of Putrajaya
Telephone: (1MOCC): 03-8000 8000
Malaysia does not allow dual citizenship. Apply for the Malaysian citizenship at the National Registration Department of Malaysia. Forms and requirements can be found on their site.
If you are a foreign national, with no Malaysian origins whatsoever, you can obtain Malaysian citizenship by: naturalization. Requirements:
(All photocopied documents should be accompanied by the originals.)
Note that many expatriates have applied for citizenship without receiving it.
This applies to people who were either born outside or within Malaysia provided that at least one parent was Malaysian at the time of birth.
In order to register, the applier must be:
Further information and documents required can be obtained at the website of the Malaysian National Registration Office.
Update 3/06/2015
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