how long tourist visa malaysia

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• Travel Destinations

How Long Can You Stay In Malaysia On A Tourist Visa

Published: November 7, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Robbi Hass

• Plan Your Trip

Introduction

Malaysia is a fascinating country that offers a wealth of cultural experiences, natural beauty, and warm hospitality. Whether you’re planning a short vacation or a longer stay, it’s important to understand the visa requirements for visiting Malaysia.

As a tourist, you will typically need a tourist visa to enter Malaysia. This allows you to explore the country’s vibrant cities, stunning landscapes, and diverse cultural heritage. The tourist visa allows you to experience the wonders of Malaysia, from the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur to the pristine beaches of Langkawi.

In this article, we will delve into the details of how long you can stay in Malaysia on a tourist visa, the process of extending your stay, and the consequences of overstaying your visa. It’s crucial to be well-informed about these matters to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to Malaysia.

So, let’s explore the fascinating world of Malaysian visas and discover the rules and regulations that apply to tourists visiting this captivating country.

Overview of Tourist Visas in Malaysia

When planning your trip to Malaysia, it’s important to understand the different types of tourist visas available. The most common type is the Single Entry Tourist Visa, which allows you to enter Malaysia once and stay for a specified period.

The Single Entry Tourist Visa is typically valid for a duration ranging from 30 to 90 days, depending on your country of residence. It grants you permission to explore the country as a tourist, engage in recreational activities, and experience the local culture. This visa can be obtained from Malaysian embassies or consulates in your home country.

Another type of tourist visa is the Multiple Entry Visa, which allows you to enter Malaysia multiple times within a specified period. This visa is particularly useful for travelers who plan to visit Malaysia frequently or make multiple stops in the country during their trip.

It’s essential to carefully review the requirements and validity periods of each visa type before applying. Additionally, ensure that your passport has at least six months of validity remaining before its expiration date, as this is a common requirement for obtaining a tourist visa.

It’s worth noting that citizens of certain countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many European Union nations, can enter Malaysia without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. However, it’s advisable to check the latest visa requirements before planning your trip, as regulations and policies can vary.

Now that we have an overview of the different tourist visa options available in Malaysia, let’s explore how long you can stay in the country on a tourist visa and the process of extending your stay if needed.

Duration of Stay on a Tourist Visa

The duration of stay on a tourist visa in Malaysia varies depending on the type of visa you have obtained. As mentioned earlier, the Single Entry Tourist Visa typically allows you to stay in Malaysia for a duration of 30 to 90 days, depending on your nationality.

Upon arrival in Malaysia, your passport will be stamped with the duration of stay permitted on your visa. It’s crucial to note that the duration of stay granted is at the discretion of the Malaysian immigration authorities, and they have the right to limit or extend your stay beyond what is stated on your visa.

If you wish to stay longer than the initially permitted period on your tourist visa, it’s important to seek an extension before your current visa expires. The extension process can be done through the Immigration Department of Malaysia or at their respective offices located throughout the country.

When applying for a visa extension, you will need to provide a valid reason for needing a longer stay in Malaysia, such as ongoing travel plans or personal/medical circumstances. It’s advisable to submit the extension application at least a week before your current visa expires to allow sufficient processing time.

It’s essential to be aware that overstaying your tourist visa is a serious offense in Malaysia. Even if it is for just a few days, overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and future visa restrictions or rejections.

Now that we understand the duration of stay on a tourist visa, let’s explore the process of extending your stay in Malaysia if needed.

Extending Your Stay in Malaysia

If you find yourself needing to extend your stay in Malaysia beyond the duration permitted on your tourist visa, it is possible to apply for an extension. The process of extending your stay can be relatively straightforward if you follow the necessary steps.

To extend your stay in Malaysia, you will need to visit the nearest Immigration Department of Malaysia office or its respective branches. When applying for an extension, you will be required to provide the following documents:

• Your original passport
• A copy of your passport’s information page
• A copy of your valid tourist visa
• A completed application form for a visa extension
• Proof of your valid reason for needing an extension (e.g., travel itinerary, medical documents, etc.)
• Proof of financial means to sustain your stay in Malaysia (e.g., bank statements, proof of accommodation, etc.)

It’s important to note that there is a fee associated with the visa extension process. The fee amount may vary depending on the duration of the extension requested and is typically payable in cash at the Immigration Department.

Once you have submitted your application, it will be processed by the immigration authorities. It’s advisable to apply for an extension well before your current visa expires to avoid any potential issues or penalties for overstaying.

It’s worth mentioning that the decision to grant a visa extension is at the discretion of the immigration authorities. If your application is approved, you will receive an extension stamp in your passport, indicating the new duration of stay permitted in Malaysia.

Remember, it’s important to respect the immigration rules and regulations of the country you are visiting. Failure to comply with the visa requirements or overstaying your visa can lead to severe consequences.

Now that we have explored the process of extending your stay in Malaysia let’s dive into the penalties and consequences of overstaying your visa.

Visa Overstay Penalties in Malaysia

Overstaying your visa in Malaysia is a serious offense and can result in penalties and consequences that can have long-term effects on your ability to visit or reside in the country in the future. It’s important to be aware of the potential ramifications of overstaying to avoid any unnecessary complications.

The penalties for overstaying your visa in Malaysia are as follows:

• Overstay less than 30 days: A fine of RM30 per day, up to a maximum of RM1,200.
• Overstay between 30 and 60 days: A fine of RM60 per day, up to a maximum of RM2,400.
• Overstay more than 60 days: A fine of RM100 per day or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both.

In addition to the financial penalties, overstaying your visa can result in other consequences, including:

• Being banned from re-entering Malaysia for a certain period of time.
• Difficulties in obtaining future visas or residence permits for Malaysia.
• Complications in obtaining visas for other countries in the future, as immigration records may be shared.
• Negative impact on your immigration and travel history, potentially affecting your ability to travel internationally.

It’s important to note that the immigration authorities in Malaysia take visa overstays seriously and actively monitor the entry and exit records of visitors. Therefore, it is best to adhere to the visa regulations and avoid overstaying to ensure a trouble-free travel experience.

If you have unintentionally overstayed your visa, it’s advisable to address the situation as soon as possible by contacting the nearest Immigration Department of Malaysia office. They will guide you on the proper course of action and help you rectify the situation.

Now that we have explored the penalties and consequences of overstaying your visa in Malaysia, let’s discuss the options for applying for a different visa if you wish to stay longer in the country.

Consequences of Overstaying Your Visa

Overstaying your visa in Malaysia can have serious consequences that can negatively impact your current and future travel plans. It’s important to understand the potential consequences to avoid any unnecessary complications and to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.

Here are some of the consequences of overstaying your visa in Malaysia:

• Fines: Overstaying your visa will result in fines that need to be paid. The amount of the fine increases the longer you overstay, with a maximum penalty of RM100 per day for overstays exceeding 60 days.
• Immigration Record: Overstaying your visa will result in a negative immigration record. This record can affect your future visa applications not only for Malaysia but also for other countries. Immigration records are often shared among countries, making it more challenging to obtain visas in the future.
• Ban on Re-entry: Overstaying your visa can result in a ban on re-entering Malaysia. The length of the re-entry ban will depend on the duration of your overstay. This ban can range from a few months to several years, prohibiting you from returning to Malaysia during that period.
• Difficulty in Obtaining Visas: Overstaying your visa can make it more difficult to obtain visas for other countries in the future. Immigration authorities of other countries may view your immigration history, including overstays, as a negative factor when considering your visa application.
• Legal Consequences: In extreme cases of overstaying, such as overstaying for an extended period, legal consequences such as imprisonment may apply. It’s important to adhere to visa regulations and avoid overstaying to prevent facing legal actions.

It’s crucial to respect the immigration laws and regulations of the country you are visiting. Always ensure that you have a valid visa and adhere to the specified duration of stay. If you realize that you have unintentionally overstayed your visa, it’s important to take immediate action by contacting the nearest Immigration Department of Malaysia office to rectify the situation.

By respecting the visa regulations and avoiding overstays, you can have a smooth and enjoyable travel experience in Malaysia without any unnecessary complications.

Now that we have explored the consequences of overstaying your visa, let’s discuss the options for applying for a different visa if you wish to stay longer in Malaysia.

Applying for a Different Visa in Malaysia

If you wish to stay longer in Malaysia beyond the duration permitted on a tourist visa or if you have specific purposes such as work or study, you may need to apply for a different type of visa. Malaysia offers various visas to cater to different categories of visitors, each with its own specific requirements and benefits.

Here are some common types of visas you can apply for in Malaysia:

• Student Visa: If you plan to study in Malaysia, you will need to apply for a Student Visa. This visa is typically obtained with the sponsorship of a Malaysian educational institution and allows you to reside in Malaysia for the duration of your study program.
• Work Visa (Employment Pass): If you have secured a job offer from a Malaysian employer, they will sponsor your Work Visa, also known as an Employment Pass. This visa allows you to work and reside in Malaysia for the duration of your employment contract.
• Investor Visa (Malaysia My Second Home Program): The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program is designed for foreign nationals who wish to reside in Malaysia on a long-term basis. This program offers various benefits and incentives to qualified individuals, including the ability to stay in the country for an extended period.
• Dependent Visa: If you are a spouse or dependent of someone holding a valid visa in Malaysia, you can apply for a Dependent Visa. This visa allows you to reside in Malaysia as a dependent of your sponsor.

Each visa category has its own set of requirements, including proof of financial means, medical checks, and sponsorship documentation. It’s important to carefully review and fulfill all the necessary requirements for the specific visa you wish to apply for.

To apply for a different visa in Malaysia, you will usually need to submit an application to the relevant immigration authorities. This process may involve providing the necessary supporting documents, attending interviews, and paying the required fees.

It’s recommended to consult with a qualified immigration agent or seek advice from the Malaysian diplomatic mission in your home country for more detailed information on the specific visa you wish to apply for.

By following the proper procedures and fulfilling the requirements, you can obtain the necessary visa to stay longer in Malaysia and fully explore the opportunities and experiences the country has to offer.

Now, let’s wrap up our discussion.

Understanding the visa requirements and regulations is essential when planning a trip to Malaysia. Whether you are visiting for a short vacation or contemplating a longer stay, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the duration of stay permitted on a tourist visa and the process of extending your stay if needed.

Remember that the duration of stay on a tourist visa can vary depending on your nationality, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days. It’s important to respect these limits and avoid overstaying your visa to prevent facing fines, re-entry bans, and other consequences.

If you find yourself needing a longer stay in Malaysia, you can explore the option of extending your visa through the Immigration Department of Malaysia. Ensure that you have valid reasons for the extension and apply well before the expiration of your current visa to allow sufficient processing time.

Overstaying your visa in Malaysia can have serious consequences, including fines, negative immigration records, difficulties in obtaining future visas, and even potential legal actions. It’s important to comply with visa regulations and seek the necessary assistance in rectifying any unintentional overstay.

If you require a more extended stay or have specific purposes such as work or study, you may need to apply for a different type of visa, such as a Student Visa, Work Visa, or Investor Visa. Each visa category has its own set of requirements, so it’s essential to research and fulfill these requirements to secure the appropriate visa.

By respecting the visa regulations, being aware of the duration of stay permitted, and adhering to the necessary procedures, you can have a fulfilling and trouble-free travel experience in Malaysia. Whether you are exploring the vibrant cities, relaxing on beautiful beaches, or immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage, Malaysia offers an unforgettable destination for every traveler.

Remember to always consult official sources, such as the Malaysian diplomatic missions or immigration authorities, for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding visa requirements and processes.

We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights into the duration of stay on a tourist visa in Malaysia and the options available for extending your stay or applying for different visas. Enjoy your time in Malaysia and make the most of your visit to this captivating country!

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Do I need a visa to visit Malaysia?

Feb 19, 2022 • 5 min read

Entering the Federal Territory Mosque in Kuala Lumpur Patrick Foto / Getty Images

Malaysia has a reputation as the easy country for travel in Southeast Asia, and that certainly applies to the visa situation. Citizens of many countries are granted visa-free entry on arrival, meaning there’s no complicated paperwork standing between you and Malaysia’s beaches, jungles and food markets. 

Even better, the relaxed visa situation makes for easy detours to neighboring Singapore , Indonesia , Brunei and Thailand , though you’ll need to check the latest Covid restrictions before you travel. Here’s everything you need to know about visas for Malaysia. 

Can I travel to Malaysia without a visa? 

In normal circumstances, nationals of most countries in Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan (and many other countries) can visit Malaysia without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. This applies to entries by air, land and sea. 

In practice, 90-day stays are usually given as the default if you arrive in Malaysia by air, but if you enter by land or by sea, you may be given a 30-day entry stamp unless you specifically ask for a longer permit. It’s worth doing this, as extending your stay may not be possible once the stamp is issued. 

On arrival, your passport will be stamped and you’ll need to fill out an arrival/departure card; just make sure your passport is valid for six months from the date of entry. Technically, the authorities can ask for proof of sufficient funds for your stay and a ticket for onward travel from Malaysia, but this is not usually requested. 

Some countries are granted a shorter stay in Malaysia

Citizens of Russia and many neighboring countries are granted a stay of one month on arrival, and similar rules apply to nationals of many countries in Africa and Central and South America. For longer stays, you’ll need to apply for a visa. 

Note that citizens of Israel can only enter Malaysia with written permission from Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs , which rules out easy overland trips from Thailand to Singapore.

What are the visa requirements for Malaysia? 

If your home country is not on the visa-free travel list, or you’re planning a long stay, you’ll need to apply for a visa. However, be aware that the only visas valid for more than 90 days are the multi-entry visas reserved for business travelers.

Different rules apply to different countries. Tourist E-Visas lasting up to 30 days are issued to citizens of Serbia & Montenegro, China, India, and many other nations in South Asia and Africa. See the Immigration Department of Malaysia website for details of how to apply and a full list of approved countries. 

Other nationals will need to apply for a visa the old-fashioned way at a Malaysian embassy or consulate in their home country. The Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs has a full list of Malaysian missions overseas; contact your local embassy for advice on the application process. 

Business and transit visas for Malaysia

For business trips, it’s usually fine to enter the country as if you were a tourist, but you are not permitted to work for any Malaysian company. Business travelers can also apply for long-duration multiple-entry visas, but the application process is complex – Malaysian embassies can provide details. 

Transit visas are also available, but as so many people can enter Malaysia without a visa, they’re rarely needed.   

What are the rules for travel to East Malaysia? 

Sabah and Sarawak – the two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo – retain a certain degree of control over their borders. Even if you arrive from Peninsular Malaysia, you must go through passport control and have your passport stamped. This also applies when traveling between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei, and when traveling to the federal district of Pulau Labuan. 

When entering Sabah or Sarawak from another part of Malaysia, your new visa stamp will be valid only for the remainder of the period you were granted when you first entered Malaysia. If Malaysian Borneo is your first port of call in Malaysia, you’ll get the full, uninterrupted 30 or 90 days. 

Extending a Malaysia visa 

While the entry procedures for Malaysia can seem very relaxed, it’s important not to overstay your visa or the visa-free entry period. If you do, you can be detained, fined, deported, and blacklisted – it’s no laughing matter. 

In the past, it has been possible to extend a 30-day entry up to 90 days through the Immigration Department of Malaysia , but don’t rely on this being possible with the pandemic muddying the waters. Extending a 90-day stay is out of the question. 

The good news is that it is possible to prolong your stay in Malaysia by hopping across the border to a neighboring country. When you re-enter, you’ll be granted a new 30- or 90- day entry stamp on arrival. There’s rarely a problem if you do this once or twice, but the authorities may take a dim view if you repeat the so-called “visa run” too many times. 

On the peninsula, the easiest place to leave and re-enter Malaysia is Johor Bahru ; local buses buzz across the causeway to Singapore day and night. The other easy option is Pulau Langkawi , which has ferries to Satun (year-round) and Ko Lipe (November to May) in Thailand. 

Alternatively, consider crossing the Thai border by train at Padang Besar, or take the ferry to Sumatra in Indonesia from Melaka or Johor Bahru. In East Malaysia, you can cross by bus or boat into Kalimantan in Indonesia, or make the easy hop into Brunei by bus from either Miri or Kota Kinabalu , or by boat from Pulau Labuan. 

You may also like:  12 best things you have to do in Singapore The 15 best things to do in Malaysia: Mountains, marine life, and amazing apes 'Ghosts are a big part of life in Malaysia': healing one year after losing my parents to COVID

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Tourist Visa In Malaysia: A Simple Guide

Planning a trip to Malaysia ? Imagine stepping into the lush landscapes of Malaysia, where ancient rainforests meet modern skylines. But before you can embark on this journey, there’s the key to unlock: the tourist visa. Fret Not! We’ve got you covered for this!

Navigating the visa process might seem daunting, like finding your way through the dense Borneo jungles, but our guide is here to clear the path, making your entry to Malaysia as smooth as the country’s famous silk.

Let’s dive in!

Who Needs A Tourist Visa To Visit Malaysia?

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Malaysia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Malaysian High Commission in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 vaccination requirements for travellers entering Malaysia.  

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Malaysia. Make sure your passport is undamaged, with no pages missing.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

Malaysia does not recognise dual nationality. You can be refused entry if you’re found with a Malaysian passport and one of a different nationality. If you have dual nationality (not including Malaysian), enter and exit on the same passport.

Visa requirements

British nationals do not need a visa to visit Malaysia. You will normally be allowed to stay for 90 days on arrival. For any longer, or for a non-tourist visit, you will need a visa.

The Malaysian authorities do not tolerate illegal immigration. Do not overstay your visa or violate the terms of entry. Even if you overstay for just a few days, you can be:

• deported to the UK at your own cost
• blacklisted for future visits to Malaysia

If you are detained, you will find facilities can be poor with limited healthcare services. The British High Commission is unable to help you to remain in Malaysia or issue any document to support your overstay.

Keep a copy of your passport and visa safe in case your passport is lost. It may take time to get a replacement visa. If you cannot show your original visa or entry stamp on exit you may be treated as an overstayer, fined and blacklisted.

Applying for a visa

If you want to stay for longer than 90 days or visit for non-tourist purposes, you must apply for a visa from the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission before you travel.

Entry to East Malaysia

If you’re travelling between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (sometimes known as Malaysian Borneo, made up of the states of Sabah and Sarawak) you will need to carry your passport. You will pass through immigration control when entering and exiting East Malaysia from and to Peninsular Malaysia, and must obtain an entry and exit stamp.

Declaration form

You must fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card to enter Malaysia. You should complete this before you travel as it may be requested at check-in. You do not need to complete the arrival form if you are not passing through immigration. See the Malaysian Immigration website for further information, including exemption details.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Malaysia guide .

Drug screening

You could be asked to take a urine test on arrival in Malaysia if you are suspected of having used drugs before your visit. If you’re found with drugs in your bloodstream, you could be detained, or deported and blacklisted from any further visits to Malaysia. You can be charged with drug consumption even if the drugs were consumed overseas, including if they were consumed  in a country where the use of that particular drug is legal.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Malaysia . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

If you are in any doubt about the legality of any items, including medications, you should declare them on entry.

Importing firearms

It’s illegal to import unlicensed firearms and ammunition into Malaysia. This includes spent ammunition and souvenirs from war museums. Do not take any weapons or replica weapons into Malaysia. You may be detained and charged if you do. If you’re convicted of dealing in illegal firearms you can be given the death penalty.

Taking money into Malaysia

You can import or export up to the equivalent of 10,000 US dollars in Malaysian ringgit without prior approval.

On entry to or exit from Malaysia, declare any cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more. If you do not declare it, customs officials can seize your money, and you may get a fine of up to 3 million ringgit and up to 5 years’ imprisonment. Further information can be found on the Royal Malaysian Customs Department website.

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• Expat guide

Visas for Malaysia

Before traveling to Malaysia , it is advisable to check with the nearest Malaysian Embassy or Consulate regarding entry requirements. There are indeed different visas and fees that vary depending on the purpose of the visit, the length of stay and nationality.

As detailed in our Traveling to Malaysia article, citizens of 95 countries are visa-exempt for social visits lasting less than a month, and several of these nationalities are allowed to stay there for up to three months without further formalities. However, the passport must be valid for at least six months after entering Malaysia, and a return plane ticket is often requested.

Single entry visa, multiple entry visa and rransit visa

T here are three types of visa s f or those who wish to enter Malaysia . The single-entry visa is valid for entry within three months from the date of issue. It is particularly suitable for vacationers. The multiple-entry visa is valid between 3 and 12 months and is reserved for business or government trips that do not exceed 30 days each. And there is the transit visa.

Some nationalities are allowed to remain in transit in Malaysia for up to 120 hours without a visa as long as the person arrives and leaves the country from the same airport and has a subsequent air ticket, as well as the documents required to get to their final destination. However, a transit visa may be required for certain nationalities. The persons concerned must leave the airport before their connecting flight.

Depending on the purpose of your visit, you will need to apply for a visa with or without reference.

To obtain a visa without reference for a social visit, you will need to provide:

• The original of your passport.
• 2 copies of your passport.
• 2 copies of the visa application form (form IMM.47).
• 2 passport-size identity photos.
• The original and 2 copies of your return plane ticket.
• A recent bank statement or traveller's cheques.
• Proof of payment of visa fees.
• A letter of invitation if necessary.

The IMM.47 visa application form can be downloaded from the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal . It is also available at the counter of any Malaysian immigration office. If you choose to download, be sure to print the document on two A4 pages, forms printed on both sides of the same sheet are not accepted. Those who wish to complete the document by hand after printing it can do so.

Read also Discovering Kuala Lumpur

If you are going to Malaysia as a student , dependent or professional, or looking for work in Malaysia , you will need to apply for a visa with reference. For this, you must first obtain authorization from the Immigration Department and include it in your file with the documents mentioned above, except the bank statement.

Work permit

To work in Malaysia , you will need to receive a work permit, also called an Employment Pass (EP). This pass is granted for a contract of up to 5 years on the Malaysian peninsula, and the Expatriation Committee or the relevant authority must give its authorization before the work permit is issued.

Expats will only be able to work for the company stated on their work permit, and they will need to reapply if they change companies.

A company wishing to employ an expatriate must register online through the Department of Expatriate Services portal and, upon approval, can then submit an application for a work permit on behalf of the expatriate. This site is set up to ‘provide efficient and innovative services to expatriates and companies', and it allows expatriates to obtain a work permit within 5 working days. The company will have to prove that the position cannot be exercised by a local and that the potential of the expatriate person is of vital importance.

You will need to meet minimum salary requirements and a minimum contract period to obtain the work permit. In addition, you will also need to hold a senior management position, either in middle management profession with experience and qualifications, or be highly qualified and possess indispensable technical knowledge.

The following documents are required for the application for a work permit:

• Letter of application or letter of assignment
• Hiring letter or employment contract
• Complete application forms
• Letter of authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Original receipt of payment for the claim
• Copy of the employee's passport
• Passport size ID photos
• Copy of the employee's CV and qualifications
• Medical report from the employee's home country, approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Health

Read also The labor market in Kuala Lumpur

Dependency pass or long-term social residence permit

Holders of a work permit will be able to apply for a dependency pass for their spouse, their children under 18, their parents or their parents-in-law. The dependency pass is valid as long as the work permit of the person providing financial support for the family is valid. They will also be able to apply for a long-term social residence permit for their children under the age of 18, their parents or their parents-in-law if these family members are financially independent.

Professional Visit Permit

A Professional Visit Permit (PVP) is granted to foreigners who have professional skills or qualifications and are employed by a foreign company but are working with a company in Malaysia. With this permit, they are allowed to provide their services or undergo practical training with a Malaysian company for up to 12 months.

The PVP is required for anyone traveling to the country to host conferences, training programs or seminars, whether these events are paid or unpaid. The application must be made to the Malaysian Immigration Department by the organizers and/or event sponsor. Please note that obtaining a social visit permit for this type of trip is illegal in Malaysia and is punishable by law.

On the other hand, those who go to Malaysia for business reasons (negotiations, discussions, partnerships, etc.) can do so with a social visit permit without being worried by the immigration authorities.

Setting up a business in Malaysia https://www.expat.com/en/guide/asia/malaysia/11916-setting-up-a-business-in-malaysia.html

Student visa

Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) aims to promote Malaysia as an international centre of education and acts as a benchmark for international student services. Being the only recognized gateway for international students in Malaysia, this centre promotes higher education in Malaysian universities and colleges , and other accredited training centres and language schools. Requirements vary depending on the type of establishment you are applying for, so be sure to check the application requirements and calculate entry fees once you have made your choice.

Students will need to apply for a visa before entering Malaysia, and there are two ways to do this. If you are a new student who has received a proposal letter from a public university or private higher education institution, you can apply for a student visa online, directly through the Education Malaysia website.

You can also apply for your visa through the host institution who will start the application procedure for your letter of authorization once you have made the payment and gathered the necessary documents. You will receive the authorization letter after at least 14 working days from the date on which your complete file has been received by EMGS. You can download the EMGS mobile app to track the status of your application and receive notifications.

For the student visa application, you will need to provide a passport size photo with a white background, a copy of all the required pages of your passport, a copy of your letter of authorization, your academic certificates and transcripts, a medical examination report, a personal commitment signed on your part by the host establishment, which will be submitted at the end of your studies. A certificate of no objection or a letter of eligibility will also be required for students coming from Iran or Sudan.

If you are a citizen who requires a visa to enter Malaysia, you will need to obtain a single-entry visa from your nearest Malaysian Embassy once you have obtained your clearance letter.

Read also Universities in Kuala Lumpur

Internships

Since the end of 2015, companies registered with the Expatriate Services Division can apply for a social visit permit for international students at a recognized foreign university to carry out a short-term internship in Malaysia . The maximum duration is 90 days and participants from countries that require a visa must also obtain a single-entry visa before entering Malaysia. Passports must be valid for at least six months, although 12 months is recommended, and recipients of this visa must leave Malaysia at the end of their internship or when their visa expires, as renewal is not authorized.

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)

This program promoted by the Malaysian government allows foreigners who meet certain criteria to stay in Malaysia on a multiple-entry social visa for an initial period of 10 years. This license is then renewed.

It is available to citizens of all nationalities, and applicants are allowed to bring their spouse and unmarried children below the age of 21.

To be part of this program, applicants must be able to support themselves financially. Persons under the age of 50 must provide proof of liquid assets worth at least RM500,000 and present an employment contract granting them at least RM10,000 per month. If you are over 50, you will need to provide proof of liquid assets worth RM350,000 and your monthly income must exceed RM10,000. If you are retired, you will need to provide proof of a monthly pension worth at least RM10,000.

If you buy property in Malaysia that is worth more than RM1 million, these conditions may be lowered.

It is possible to apply for two types of part-time work through this program if you are over 50 years old. You can apply to be a part-time speaker, or you can work up to 20 hours a week for a company that can justify choosing to employ you over a local citizen.

Since March 2017, the MM2H centre has implemented an online application system to facilitate the procedure and manual application forms are no longer submitted.

Read also Buying property in Kuala Lumpur

Entry requirements

To be allowed to enter Malaysia, you will need to meet the following conditions:

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
• You must meet all entry requirements and obtain a visa beforehand if necessary.
• You must be able to show a return air ticket to another destination.
• You must present a negative PCR test dating back less than 72 hours upon arrival. A second test will be carried out at the airport.
• You must be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Malaysia.
• You must be able to provide proof of accommodation.
• You will need to present a completed arrival and departure card to an immigration officer at the point of entry.
• Your fingerprints will be scanned on arrival and departure.

Anyone arriving from certain countries in Africa or South America must be able to provide a certificate of immunization against yellow fever (Angola, Ethiopia, Senegal, Benin, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Bolivia, Gambia, and South Africa). South, Brazil, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Burundi, Kenya, Suriname, Cameroon, Mali, Tanzania, Central African Republic, Niger, Togo, Chad, Nigeria, Uganda, Djibouti, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Zaire, Guinea, Rwanda, Zambia, Eritrea, Sao Tome and Principe).

Good to know :

The states of Sabah and Sarawak have different entry and visa requirements. You will also need your passport to enter these states by domestic flight from Peninsular Malaysia.

A visa is not an absolute guarantee of permission to enter Malaysia. The final decision rests with the immigration service at the point of entry into the chosen country.

Useful links :

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia

Malaysia Immigration Office

Visa application forms

List of countries whose nationals require a visa

Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia

Education Malaysia Global Services

Malaysia My Second Home

MM2H Application System

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Thailand to give visa extension to 93 nations including Malaysia beginning from Monday (July 15)

Sunday, 14 Jul 2024

Related News

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Image from The Nation Thailand/ANN

BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Signing on a waiver extension that allows citizens of 93 nations to enter Thailand without a visa or obtain a visa on arrival and stay for up to 60 days will be conducted on Monday, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Sunday.

He said he expects immigration and security agencies’ measures to screen foreign arrivals will go smoothly in the long term. “Actually, we implemented measures last year as preparation of visa waivers for travellers from China, India and Kazakhstan,” he said.

In a move to boost tourism and bring tourist dollars into the country, the Cabinet agreed on May 28 to waive visa measures for a total of 93 nations.

The 57 nations or regions that were already enjoying a visa waiver and can now get a 60-day stamp on arrival are: Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, the Republic of Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Peru, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Brazil and Brunei.

The 13 nations whose citizens were already getting a 30-day stamp upon arrival and will now be getting a 60-day stamp: India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Uzbekistan, Taiwan, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Fiji and Georgia.

The six new nations or regions whose citizens now enjoy a visa waiver and a 60-day stay are: China, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Russia and Cambodia.

The 17 new nations that are now eligible for visas on arrival and will get a 60-day stamp are: Guatemala, Jamaica, Jordan, Kosovo, Morocco, Panama, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Tonga, Uruguay, Albania, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. - The Nation Thailand/ANN

Tags / Keywords: Thailand , Tourism , Free Visa , On Arrival , Renewal , 93 Countries

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Malaysia Visa on Arrival (VOA): Eligibility and Requirements

Updated: July 11, 2024

Malaysia Visa on Arrival (VOA) is available to Indian and Chinese nationals traveling to Malaysia from neighboring countries. 

You must arrive from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia or Brunei and hold a valid visa from those countries. 

IMPORTANT As per Malaysia’s Visa Liberalisation Plan , Indian and Chinese nationals are temporarily Visa-Exempt (VISA-FREE) to travel to Malaysia until 31 Dec 2024. Visa on Arrival (VOA) is NOT required and hence it’s NOT currently available.

QUICK SUMMARY:

• Eligibility: India and China passport holders
• Allowed stay: 15 days
• VOA fee: 200 MYR
• Extensions: Not allowed

If you haven’t already, read the Malaysia Visa Guide for information on available visa types for tourists, their eligibility and requirements.

Table of Contents

Understanding malaysia visa on arrival (voa).

VOA validity

Malaysia VOA is valid for 15 days from the day of issue. You are allowed to stay up to 15 days in Malaysia using the VOA. 

Duration of stay

The allowed duration of stay for Malaysia VOA is 15 days. 

Allowed number of entries

Malaysia VOA is single-entry only. If you exit and re-enter, you will need to obtain Visa on Arrival again. Or, you must hold another type of visa, such as a Malaysia eVisa or a Malaysia Tourist Visa .

Allowed ports of entry

Malaysia VOA is available only at the following international airports, land borders and seaports. 

International Airports

• Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Both terminals KLIA1 and KLIA2)
• Penang International Airport, Penang
• Langkawi International Airport, Langkawi (Kedah)
• Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru
• Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah International Airport, Selangor
• Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Sabah
• Kuching International Airport, Sarawak
• Miri International Airport, Sarawak

Land Borders Checkpoints

• Singapore-Malaysia: Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB), Second Link, Johor Bahru 
• Brunei-Malaysia: Sungai Tujuh Immigration Control Post, Sarawak
• Thailand-Malaysia: Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration Complex (ICQS), Kedah
• Brunei-Malaysia: Immigration Control Post, Labuan International Terminal Ferry

VOA extension

The VOA is strictly not extendable and cannot be changed into any other type of visa.

Malaysia Visa on Arrival Requirements

Visa on Arrival country list

Only the following 2 countries are eligible for Malaysia Visa on Arrival.

Visa on Arrival conditions

To obtain VOA in Malaysia, Indian and Chinese nationals must meet the following requirements.

• Must arrive directly from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, or Brunei
• Must hold a valid visa from the country you arrive from (Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, or Brunei visa)
• Must enter through an eligible port of entry (see the list above)

Documents required

You must present the following documents.

• Valid Passport
• Valid visa from the arriving country (Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, or Brunei)

Confirmed return or onward ticket

• Proof of financial ability (at least 500 USD cash or cards)

Passport requirement

For Malaysia Visa on Arrival, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival. 

Your passport must also have at least 1 blank page as the VOA stamp takes half a page. 

Visa from the arriving country

You must present a valid visa and entry-exit stamps from the neighboring country where you are arriving. The following visas and stamps are accepted. 

Thailand: When entering Malaysia from Thailand, you can use a 60-day single-entry Thailand tourist visa sticker or Thailand Visa on Arrival stamp. You must have entered Thailand on this visa, which must be indicated by your entry and exit stamps

Singapore: When entering Malaysia from Singapore, you can use a single or multiple-entry Singapore e-Visa . You may have to present a copy of your Singapore e-Pass to prove that you have entered Singapore with the e-Visa. 

Brunei: When entering Malaysia from Brunei, you can use a single or multiple-entry Brunei tourist visa sticker along with entry-exit stamps. 

Indonesia: When entering Malaysia from Indonesia, you can use Indonesia Visa on Arrival or stay permit stickers. In the case of an Indonesia tourist visa , you can present a print of the eVisa along with the stay permit sticker and entry-exit stamps. 

For Malaysia VOA, you must also present a confirmed return or onward flight ticket out of Malaysia. If you are entering on a one-way ticket, you can consider getting an onward ticket from an online agency such as Best Onward Ticket . 

Proof of financial ability

You may be asked to show proof of having at least 500 USD (or its equivalent in MYR). This proof can be in the form of cash, credit card, debit card, or an e-wallet. 

If asked to show proof of funds, you can show cash or cards or you can also show the cash in your bank account using your bank mobile app. 

Visa on Arrival fee

The Malaysia Visa on Arrival fee is 200 MYR, payable ONLY by debit or credit card or by TNG e-wallet. Payment by cash is not accepted. 

IMPORTANT : The Malaysia VOA fee can be paid ONLY with a debit or credit card. Make sure you carry a debit or credit card that can be used abroad for international transactions in foreign currency. 

Visa on Arrival Application Process

How to obtain VOA at KL International Airport

Make sure you have submitted your Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to board the flight to Malaysia.

When you arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA1 or KLIA2), continue walking towards the immigration. The Visa on Arrival (VOA) desks are on the left side of the immigration hall (see the above picture).

Simply approach the Visa on Arrival desk and tell the officer that you would like to obtain Visa on Arrival. Hand over your passport and supporting documents. Pay the visa fee using a card.

You will receive a Visa on Arrival stamp in your passport. Afterward, head to the immigration desk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i get a malaysia visa on arrival.

You can only obtain a Malaysia Visa on Arrival if you:

• Hold an Indian or a Chinese passport
• Are coming through an eligible border from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, or Brunei
• Have proof of possessing at least 500 USD.

Until the end of 2024, Indian and Chinese nationals are visa-exempt to travel to Malaysia and thus do not need Visa on Arrival.

Is eNTRI and Visa on Arrival the same thing?

The Electronic Travel Registration & Information (eNTRI) differs from the Visa on Arrival.

ENTRI is an expired visa waiver program for Indian and Chinese travelers. It was introduced in 2017 and lasted until 2020. It required an online registration before traveling.

Many sources on the internet still list eNTRI as an option to enter Malaysia. That is inaccurate. ENTRI no longer exists. ENTRI is now replaced by the Malaysia eVisa.

Visa on Arrival is also currently not available as Indian and Chinese travelers are visa-exempt till the end of 2024.

Do I need a Visa on Arrival if I am only transiting at the airport?

Direct airside transit at Malaysian airports does not require a transit visa. As long as your arriving and departing flights are on the same PNR booking number, you will not need a visa to transit. 

Note that KLIA1 and KLIA2 are NOT connected airside, so connecting between terminals will require a visa.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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More Indian tourists flocking to Malaysia after visa waiver

K UALA LUMPUR: More tourists from India are heading here for their holidays to take advantage of the visa-free entry to Malaysia, says the head of a travel group.

India is among the top 10 tourist markets for Malaysia, said Malaysian Indian Tour and Travel Association president Datuk A. Aruldass.

He added that 90% of the flights from India to Malaysia are midnight hauls, also known as red-eye flights. A red-eye flight refers to a flight that departs at night and arrives the next morning.

He said Indian travellers have fewer daytime flights to Malaysia compared to nighttime flights. Daytime flights to Malaysia depart from New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai airports.

“Tourists from India prefer red-eye flights to Malaysia because they can board the planes right after they finish work.

“When they arrive in Malaysia early the next morning, they have more time to travel and shop.”

He revealed that half of the tourism trips to Malaysia from India are company-sponsored incentive trips for staff who have hit business targets.

The increase in the number of tourists coming to Malaysia from India followed the Malaysian government’s announcement to grant visa-free entry to citizens of China and India for stays of up to 30 days starting on Dec 1, 2023. The visa exemptions will last until Dec 31, 2024.

Aruldass said there has been an 80% increase in Indian tourists from 2023 to this year after the visa-free exemption was announced.

In the first quarter of 2023, there were 164,566 tourist arrivals from India, which went up to 296,594 this year.

“The number of trips to Malaysia from India have jumped following the announcement of the visa exemption scheme as visitors now don’t need to make their travel plans much earlier.”

Aruldass said most of them prefer to visit urban destinations.

“Tour operators are trying to get them to go to other destinations like Sabah, Sarawak and the East Coast but their numbers are still low,” he said.

He hopes that the visa waiver for Indian tourists can be extended up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

Tour operator Datuk Thangavelu Kuppusamy said Indian tourist arrivals are expected to surpass pre-pandemic numbers.

“In recent years, there have been more Indian tourists coming here who are attracted to Malaysia’s diverse attractions and vibrant culture,” he said, mostly due to promotional campaigns targeting Indian travellers.

He added that most of these travellers comprise middle-class families and young professionals.

Kuala Lumpur, with its iconic Petronas Twin Towers, shopping districts and cultural sites, is the most visited place for Indian tourists, he added.

Genting Highlands is also popular with tourists from India for its theme parks and cool climate.

A tourist from India, Varsha Kumar, 25, came here for a short trip in April after the visa rules were relaxed.

The teaching assistant chose a red-eye flight to Kuala Lumpur to have more time to travel here.

“Entering Malaysia was a smooth process. I had a brief but fulfilling visit to Kuala Lumpur.”

Varsha said she enjoyed trying vegetarian pan mee and admiring Putrajaya’s architecture.

She plans to stay longer the second time by the year-end while the visa waiver is still in force.

For Kuala Lumpur resident Jocelyn Wong, 24, she is happy that India has waived visa fees for Malaysians starting July 1.

“I plan to attend the wedding of a close Indian friend in Rajasthan and the visa fee waiver is a great plus point,” said the marketing executive.

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Trending Topics

Follow our news, recent searches, as west malaysia woos wealthy foreigners for its mm2h residency visa, sarawak and sabah emerge as popular alternatives, advertisement.

The Borneo states are seeing increasing interest in their own Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) schemes, which require far lower fixed deposits and in some cases do not require applicants to buy a house.

American citizen Jeffrey Ho and his family plan to apply for the Sarawak-MM2H visa to achieve his early retirement dreams in the state. (Photo: Jeffrey Ho)

This audio is generated by an AI tool.

Aqil Haziq Mahmud

KUCHING: For the past decade, American citizen Jeffrey Ho, 48, has considered Malaysia an ideal retirement destination for its affordable cost of living, “great” infrastructure and use of the English language.

In the years before the COVID-19 pandemic, he watched developments in Malaysia's residential and retirement visa programme closely, intending to apply for it once he reaches the age of 50 with enough savings amassed.

At that time, the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme offered a 10-year visa scheme for foreigners above 50 years old who could place RM100,000 (US$21,200) in a fixed deposit, and show proof of a monthly offshore income of RM10,000.

But after multiple reviews, the latest MM2H requirements released on Jun 15 state that applicants for the lowest silver tier - which offers a five-year renewable visa - must place a minimum fixed deposit of US$150,000, on top of buying a property priced at least RM600,000.

Mr Ho said these conditions left him feeling disappointed.

“Now that I'm close to 50 and have enough saved, the program has become unrecognisable from what it was pre-COVID,” he said, calling it “frankly ridiculous” to require both that sum of fixed deposit and the purchase of a brand new property that cannot be sold before 10 years, as per the MM2H rules.

“All this while the MM2H pass is only valid for five years. Just a bad investment all in all, and not one that I would make even though I have the monetary means to do so.”

Malaysia eases rules for retirement residency visa but piecemeal announcement has wealthy foreigners holding off

Malaysia to review criteria for retirement residency visa amid drop in applications

The federal government’s announcement on the final conditions of its MM2H scheme has done little to appease potential applicants who have criticised it as too restrictive, and comes as Sarawak and Sabah have forged ahead with more affordable alternatives.

The Borneo states - which have autonomy over immigration and can therefore run their own MM2H schemes - are seeing increasing interest in their own programmes, which require far lower fixed deposits and in some cases do not require applicants to buy a house.

For instance, Sarawak’s tourism ministry expects 650 applicants for its own MM2H programme in 2024 - a spike from an average of roughly 148 approved applicants each year since it was launched in 2007.

Sabah’s tourism ministry, meanwhile, said it has already received a “large number” of enquiries for its own MM2H scheme, which the state only launched on Jun 30 and claims to be a “less rigid” alternative to the one in West Malaysia.

While the recently announced conditions of the federal government’s MM2H scheme seem to have only solidified interest in the Sarawak and Sabah versions, recent moves by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) in Putrajaya have unsettled some of the inner workings of the Borneo states’ programmes.

Sabah said MOTAC’s early June introduction of more stringent licensing requirements for agents who handle MM2H applications had disrupted the planned launch of its programme, leading to public bickering between the federal and Sabah tourism ministers. The state has proceeded to launch its MM2H scheme even though Putrajaya says it never gave the green light.

The new licensing requirements have also rattled potential applicants and holders of Sarawak’s MM2H scheme, who worry about whether such changes could affect the terms and conditions of Sarawak-MM2H, amid a so-called “loophole” that allows them to live in West Malaysia despite being on the Sarawak programme.

APPEAL OF SARAWAK-MM2H

Mr Ho, who works in sales and currently lives in San Diego, California with his wife and three-year-old son, said he is likely to apply for Sarawak’s MM2H programme instead of the federal government’s scheme as it would make better financial sense.

Sarawak’s current scheme requires a minimum fixed deposit of RM150,000 and monthly offshore income of RM7,000 for individual applicants, without the need to buy property for those above 50 years old. It offers a five-year visa renewable for another five years.

“From my understanding, at least at the current moment, Sarawak authorities don't care if you live in the peninsula as long as you fulfil your 30 days (a year) in Sarawak, which is reasonable,” Mr Ho said, adding that he is planning to rent a place in Kuala Lumpur and be based out of the capital.

“I'd be willing to take that risk. If things change and living in KL is no longer tenable, the absolute worst that could happen is I go back to living here in San Diego.”

The chatter on public MM2H Facebook groups seems to revolve around the same issue.

Both prospective applicants and current holders of Sarawak-MM2H, who welcome the more lenient requirements and the ability to travel freely to West Malaysia, are worried that either the Sarawak or federal government could clamp down on this “loophole”.

The latest version of Sarawak-MM2H’s approval letter contains a clause that says holders are “allowed to travel to West Malaysia except to reside in West Malaysia”.

But MM2H agents and holders said this clause is not actively enforced, and Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts himself indicated he was open to Sarawak-MM2H holders spending most of their time on the peninsula.

“Sarawak-MM2H participants can live anywhere in Malaysia and they only need to fulfil a minimum stay of 30 days a year in Sarawak,” Mr Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said in a written response to CNA.

When pressed further on the sidelines of an environment summit in Kuching on Jun 26, Mr Abdul Karim said he was “quite open” to where Sarawak-MM2H holders wanted to stay.

“Even if they want to stay in West Malaysia, they have to rent or buy a place there, eat there. (This will) help the economy,” he said.

Mr Abdul Karim said it would be “crazy” to restrict Sarawak-MM2H holders from travelling to West Malaysia, noting that Sarawak remains a part of Malaysia.

“It would be different if they were to be a participant in Sarawak and then they are working in West Malaysia. This is the one that we have to finetune,” he added.

Sarawak-MM2H prohibits holders from running any business or working in Malaysia, while holders under West Malaysia’s MM2H gold or silver tiers can only work or conduct investments if approval is granted.

The highest platinum tier, which offers a 15-year visa and requires a minimum fixed deposit of US$1 million and a property purchase worth at least RM2 million, is the only category that lets holders work or invest without conditions.

NOT COMPETITORS

Mr Azreen Octavious, managing director of Sarawak-MM2H agent Arun Ami, said the West Malaysia and Sarawak versions of the programme have different target markets.

“The MM2H (in West Malaysia) is not our competition. The demographics are different: They are targeting rich foreigners, we are targeting pensioners and working-class retirees,” he told CNA.

These retirees are also people who want to experience Sarawak while living on the peninsula, he said, noting that 80 per cent of his clients are above 50 years old.

Mr Azreen said he is now seeing higher demand with three to four applicants a month for the Sarawak-MM2H, up from two to three a month in 2022 when West Malaysia’s MM2H was relaunched with extremely stringent requirements.

Interest in Sarawak’s version remains strong even with the release of the latest requirements in West Malaysia, he said, attributing it to how applicants are rushing to get accepted in Sarawak before any potential intervention by the federal government.

A sudden change in Sarawak-MM2H’s conditions in August 2022, when the state government raised the minimum stay requirement from 15 days to 30 days a year and mandated both the fixed deposit and offshore income requirements, had also unnerved applicants and holders to the very fluid nature of the programme.

Mr Azreen, who believes the changes were made to ensure Sarawak better benefitted from its programme, said applicants are keen to lock themselves in with the current conditions.

“It’s a no-brainer. They can get on the Sarawak visa and still travel wherever they choose, whether to West Malaysia or any other country, while returning to Sarawak for 30 days each year,” he said.

Mr Abdul Karim said Sarawak-MM2H has been successful in attracting “high-value” retirees to the state, with 2,593 participants approved since its launch in 2007 until June this year.

Most of the current holders are from China (373), followed by the United Kingdom (342), Taiwan (258), Hong Kong (251), the US (198) and Singapore (194).

The minister expects the “upward trend” in Sarawak-MM2H applications to continue and hit a peak of 650 applicants by the end of 2024.

“We hope that visitor arrivals and tourism receipts can be increased through promoting Sarawak as an international second home destination,” he said.

Sarawak received about 1.2 million foreign visitors from January to May 2024, a 40 per cent increase from the roughly 881,000 visitors in the same period last year, according to data from the Sarawak tourism ministry.

Tourism receipts from both foreign and domestic visitors in January to May 2024 amounted to RM5.2 billion, a 26 per cent increase from the RM4.1 billion in the same period last year.

The aim is for tourism to contribute 11 per cent to Sarawak’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, Mr Abdul Karim said. Sarawak’s GDP in 2023 was RM146 billion, making it one of the top four contributors to Malaysia’s GDP, alongside Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor.

“Lower living costs in Sarawak, compared to peninsular states in Malaysia, will be an advantage for participants, especially pensioners with limited economic resources (who) can further enhance their purchasing power,” Mr Abdul Karim added.

Evolution of MM2H

Launched in 2002, MM2H’s affordable requirements and attractive incentives made it the world’s most popular golden visa. In 2020, investment news outlet IMI described MM2H as the world’s largest investment migration programme by a “wide margin”.

But when COVID-19 hit, Malaysia temporarily suspended the MM2H programme in August 2020, in line with a government decision to bar foreigners from entering the country, and to allow it to comprehensively review the programme.

A revised MM2H was finally announced a year later in September 2021 with much more stringent requirements .

The minimum fixed deposit and monthly offshore income requirement was raised to RM1 million and RM40,000 respectively. In addition, applicants would have to prove ownership of liquid assets worth at least RM1.5 million.

MM2H applications dropped in 2022 as prospective applicants baulked at the stringent requirements and turned to a lesser-known but more affordable programme in Sarawak, MM2H agents told CNA.

Sarawak has its own version of MM2H (Sarawak-MM2H) because it has autonomy over its own immigration policies.

The programme at the time only required applicants to fulfil a minimum fixed deposit or monthly offshore income requirement. Furthermore, Sarawak-MM2H holders only needed to spend 15 days a year in Sarawak, and could travel freely to West Malaysia the rest of the time.

In October 2023, with MM2H applications down by 90 per cent, the federal government decided to suspend the programme again, pending a review.

It released new requirements in December that year, turning MM2H into a three-tiered programme, with the most affordable silver tier requiring a minimum fixed deposit of RM500,000.

While the new requirements addressed some pain points, prospective applicants were not entirely convinced, citing a lack of clarity on the offshore income and liquid asset requirements, and a desire to wait for a full list of requirements to be published.

This full list was only published on Jun 15 this year, with the federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing saying his ministry had taken a considerable amount of time to review and rectify “shortcomings” of previous MM2H conditions.

The offshore income and liquid asset requirements were scrapped across all tiers, but for the silver tier, the minimum fixed deposit sum was raised, and a property purchase requirement was introduced.

Meanwhile, participants across all categories of the MM2H scheme are not eligible to apply for permanent residency - a change from the December announcement that allowed those in the platinum tier to do so. 

DON’T WRITE OFF WEST MALAYSIA?

Mr Chng Toh Ghee, managing director of Alter Domus, a leading agent that handles West Malaysia MM2H applications, said Sarawak-MM2H holders might switch to the peninsula’s latest version if they have the financial means to do so.

This is because many are aware of the clause barring them from residing in West Malaysia, and the possibility that it could be enforced down the road, he told CNA.

Mr Chng acknowledged that while the MM2H version relaunched in 2022 had spooked applicants with its minimum RM1 million fixed deposit, these conditions were “normalised” as applicants considered benefits like interest earned.

Enquiries about the programme still went up despite the latest requirement of buying a property, he said, pointing out that many applicants were rich enough and had already planned to buy a house to stay in West Malaysia anyway.

“I do believe that in the future, if Sarawak sees that the property markets in Penang, KL and Johor Bahru are booming because people are paying up (for homes there), Sarawak may say it wants its MM2H holders to buy property in Sarawak too,” he said.

Sarawak-MM2H’s condition of not requiring applicants above 50 years old to buy property is one the biggest factors that make it highly popular with Western retirees who might be pension-rich but low on savings, and thus prefer to rent.

After Putrajaya announced the latest MM2H requirements on Jun 15, Mr Chng said his agency is getting about four to five enquiries a day, which he estimates will amount to an average of four to five applications a month.

This is an increase from the three applications a month he used to get before the Jun 15 announcement, he said, noting that most of his enquiries are from Singaporeans and those who are financially strong enough to move abroad.

“Singaporeans who come over to (live in) Johor know they cannot continue their lifestyle in Singapore and will probably finish their multi-million dollar fortune retiring in Singapore by the time they reach 70-plus years old,” he said.

“So, they might as well come over to Johor, KL or Penang and continue their ‘Starbucks lifestyle’ here, knowing that their money will stretch longer.”

In March, the federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Tiong King Sing said West Malaysia had slightly more than 56,000 active MM2H holders - comprising principals and dependents - as of Jan 31, with the bulk of them Chinese nationals.

Chinese nationals (24,765) made up 44 per cent of participants, followed by Australia (9,265), South Korea (4,940), Japan (4,733), Bangladesh (3,604) and the United Kingdom (2,234).

Mr Tiong said at the time that the government was in the midst of improving the programme’s requirements, taking into account feedback from stakeholders and industry players. This will help increase the number of MM2H participants and encourage tourists and foreign investors to go to Malaysia, he said.

Still, Kepong Member of Parliament Lim Lip Eng said in a statement on Jun 6 that the MM2H, once a “beacon” for foreign retirees, is losing its appeal due to the newly imposed stringent regulations.

These include the mandatory property purchase with a minimum holding period of 10 years, and higher bank deposits, he said, highlighting that neighbouring countries Thailand and Indonesia have more flexible programmes.

Mr Lim said the previous MM2H scheme, which attracted a diverse group of retirees and expatriates with its lower financial thresholds, had contributed RM58 billion to the local economy over 17 years.

“Although the new scheme's focus on high-net-worth individuals represents a policy shift, its stringent requirements have significantly narrowed the applicant pool,” he said, urging the government to reassess the 10-year property holding requirement to revitalise interest in the programme.

“In conclusion, the MM2H scheme needs to strike a balance between attracting high-net-worth individuals and providing flexibility to make Malaysia a desirable retirement destination.”

CNA has contacted Mr Tiong’s office for comments on the appeal of West Malaysia’s MM2H and comparisons with the Sarawak version.

SABAH JOINS THE PARTY

Mr Tiong had also crossed swords with Sabah’s Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew amid his ministry’s introduction in early June of more stringent requirements for all MM2H agents. Agents had received a federal memo in late May pre-empting them of these changes.

These include raising agents’ minimum capital from RM50,000 to RM200,000 and ensuring they have a valid business address, moves aimed at deterring unscrupulous practices like scam agents who give out fake documents.

But the new requirements affected smaller but legitimate Sarawak-MM2H agents whose licences were up for renewal, and Sabah-MM2H representatives who were gearing up for the launch, as they could not accept new applications if they did not meet the new requirements.

While Sarawak’s tourism minister Mr Abdul Karim criticised the federal ministry for not consulting his department first, the response from Sabah was particularly scathing.

Ms Liew said Sabah had planned to launch its own MM2H programme on Jun 1, but was unnecessarily disrupted by the federal directive, local media reported. Sabah would proceed with the programme regardless of the directive, she said.

Mr Tiong then shot back, accusing Ms Liew of not turning up for any federal-level meetings to discuss Sabah's MM2H, a claim she denies.

The federal tourism ministry MOTAC has since appeared to soften its stance, with Mr Tiong saying he intends to delegate authority to Sarawak and Sabah over their own MM2H programmes, according to Dayak Daily. Both states are also pushing to introduce their own licensing requirements for MM2H agents or representatives.

With that, Ms Liew launched Sabah-MM2H on Jun 30, with applications open the next day. She told CNA in a written response that Sabah’s version is “less rigid” than the one in West Malaysia.

But MOTAC launched another salvo on Jul 4, saying in a statement that it never received nor passed Sabah-MM2H's conditions and criteria, accusing the state's Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry of acting "unilaterally" without consulting Putrajaya.

MOTAC said it hopes that any Sabah tourism ministry decision on MM2H complies with the law, including the Tourism Industry Act 1992, and its regulations.

"The ministry welcomes a meeting with the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment to clarify any issues or questions regarding the MM2H programme," it said.

When asked about this latest development, Ms Liew said she did not have comments for now.

Sabah-MM2H, which also offers a five-year visa renewable for another five years, requires a minimum fixed deposit of RM150,000 and monthly offshore income of RM10,000 for individual applicants.

But unlike the Sarawak-MM2H, Sabah requires applicants to buy high-rise property in the state priced at least RM600,000, regardless of age.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II Joachim Gunsalam had previously expressed hope that Sabah-MM2H could address the state's high-value housing glut, although he stressed that the priority was to provide homes for middle- and low-income Sabahans.

Mr Chng of MM2H agent Alter Domus suggested that Sabah’s mandatory property purchase requirement would make its MM2H a hard sell, with shrewd investors preferring to buy property in West Malaysia instead.

Despite that, Ms Liew felt the elderly and families with school going children would be “very interested” to live in Sabah, describing it as a unique state with a rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and iconic wildlife.

“We are a peaceful state with a message of harmonious coexistence,” she said.

“It has a more leisure-type pace of life that explains why many foreign nationals from the UK, Australia and America, among other countries, prefer to make Sabah their second home.”

Ms Liew said her ministry has received a “large number” of enquiries about Sabah-MM2H through email and phone calls, with a majority of them from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.

According to the Star, she told reporters in Kota Kinabalu on Jul 4 that her ministry has received "hundreds to a thousand" applications, in what she described as a "tremendous" response to the programme.

Another potential stumbling block, however, could be Sabah-MM2H’s more rigid requirement on travel to West Malaysia, despite its comparable 30-day a year minimum stay requirement in Sabah.

In response to a follow-up question by CNA, Ms Liew said Sabah-MM2H holders need “approval” before travelling to West Malaysia. When asked to clarify, she only said that holders first need to apply to Sabah’s immigration authority for approval.

It remains unclear if or how this will be enforced, especially as domestic travel from East Malaysia to West Malaysia is generally unrestricted.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Sarawak-MM2H holder Eric Blank, 55, said he chose Sarawak over the West Malaysia version as it was more affordable and still allowed him to live on the peninsula.

Mr Blank, an American citizen who used to work for the US government, got his MM2H approval in November 2023 and is now based in Penang.

He told CNA he prefers to reside in West Malaysia as life there is faster-paced with a more vibrant expatriate community, and more options that suit his vegan diet.

It has not been all smooth sailing. Mr Blank lamented how he was caught by surprise when the Sarawak-MM2H criteria was tightened in August 2022 just a month before he arrived in Kuching to complete his application, and then having to wait 13 months for approval.

He also recounted an exchange with a Sarawak immigration officer who seemed unhappy at how the Sarawak-MM2H was supposedly being exploited.

As Mr Blank was entering Kuching, the officer, seeing his Sarawak-MM2H credentials, asked him where he planned to live. When he said he felt more comfortable in Penang, the officer accused him of “using” Sarawak to live in Penang.

“She turned a cold shoulder to me. I said thank you (after my passport was stamped) and she just won't even look me in the eye,” he recalled.

While Mr Blank expressed concern that the Sarawak-MM2H requirements could be further tightened in the future, he said he has no plans to switch to the West Malaysia version as he did not want to risk cancelling his current visa and going through the whole application process again. 

“I understand inflation, and the ringgit is dropping against the US dollar, so they want to increase (the price of) things. I can understand that. But it's got to have some semblance to reality,” he said, referring to the current MM2H requirements.

Ultimately, Mr Blank said he does not mind flying to Sarawak four times a year to meet the minimum stay requirement, calling Kuching a safe place with “very nice” people who have treated him well.

“I have been so extraordinarily thankful that Sarawak is reasonable, that they're not going crazy with their MM2H requirements,” he said.

“And it’s a win-win for them. My money is in Sarawak, and when I visit for 30 days a year, I spend, spend and spend, so they're getting value out of me. I am living the life I want to lead, which happens to be outside of Sarawak.”

A LOCAL’S PERSPECTIVE

Kuching resident Azie Nurazrin Aziz, who runs a cafe serving Middle Eastern cuisine, believes the Sarawak-MM2H programme is a “good thing” as it brings in more tourist dollars that help local businesses.

The 36-year-old appreciates seeing new faces at her joint, saying that some Sarawak-MM2H holders have become regular customers and that locals in Kuching could benefit from being more exposed to different races and cultures.

Still, Ms Azie Nurazrin feels a sense of injustice seeing Sarawak-MM2H holders get long-term visas, when foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens find it challenging getting permanent resident (PR) status in Malaysia.

Not-for-profit entity Family Frontiers, which advocates for family units, has called on the government to thoroughly review how it approves PR applications for eligible non-citizen spouses, noting that some have waited for more than four years with no outcome.

“The lack of PR status among the foreign spouses of Malaysians has created a common narrative of financial insecurity, employment challenges and uncertainty,” it said in a letter published by the New Straits Times in December 2023.

Ms Azie Nurazrin said her Syrian husband applied for PR status two years ago but has yet to be accepted, and that she has faced difficulty and discrimination throughout the process.

“The MM2H programme gives benefits to those who have money, but I feel it is unfair when it comes to those of us who marry foreigners,” she said.

Ms Azie Nurazrin also had some reservations about Sarawak-MM2H holders spending most of their time in West Malaysia, but said she accepted this as long as they meet the minimum stay requirement in Sarawak.

“I feel like they are taking advantage of the loophole, but they will still come back here. They do travel here and there, but they say that Sarawak feels more chill,” she added.

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