To apply for a Malaysia visa, you need to go through these simple steps:
- Find a Malaysian Representative Office.
- Download the application form.
- Complete the documents file.
- Submit the application along with the documents.
- Wait for processing.
Find a Malaysian Representative Office
You will have to check to see whether there is a Malaysian Representative Office or a visa application center in your country or find the one nearest to you.
Download the application form
Before you submit a Malaysia visa application, you have to download Malaysia Visa application form from the website of the Immigration Department of Malaysia and complete it electronically. You’ll need access to a computer and Adobe Reader. After you complete the application form, you must print two copies and sign them.
Complete the documents file
When you submit a Malaysia visa application, you must have several supporting documents, such as:
- Two copies of the Malaysia visa application form
- Your original passport.
- Two photocopies of your passport
- Two passport size pictures.
- A copy of your flight itinerary, including a confirmed return ticket.
- Proof of accommodation in Malaysia, such as a hotel booking.
- If you are staying with friends/family, include an invitation letter.
- Bank statements from the past three months.
- If you are applying for a Malaysia Visa with Reference: Original approval letter from the Immigration Department of Malaysia or another authority.
See a more detailed list of Malaysia visa requirements here.
Submit the application along with the documents
You have to submit the copies of the Malaysia visa application form along with your original passport and the required documents at the Malaysian Representative Office/visa application office. Depending on your country, you may be able to submit the application in person or by mail.
You have to affix a picture of yourself to the application form, which must be in line with Malaysia visa photo requirements.
There, you also have to pay the Malaysia visa application fee.
Wait for processing
Depending on your country and the location in which you are applying, you may be able to track the process of your application online.
If your Malaysia visa application is approved, you have to retrieve your passport with the affixed visa. Then, you are allowed to travel to Malaysia.
Keep in mind that even though you may receive a visa for Malaysia, once you travel there, it is the Immigration Officer at the port of entry who decides whether to allow you to enter. Depending on your purpose of travel, they will give you the adequate Pass which states the number of days you’re allowed to stay in Malaysia. For example, if you want to travel to Malaysia for tourism purposes, you will receive a “Short Term Social Visit Pass” (see a list of Malaysia Passes below).
Just because your visa is valid for 30 days, it does not mean your Pass will be issued for the same amount of days as well.
Malaysia Visa Application Processing Time
The processing time for a Malaysian visa depends on your country and the method through which you are applying, the time of year and whether you have all the required documentation.
- If you are applying online (eVisa), the process should take no longer than 100 hours, ie. four days.
- If you to apply through eNTRI, your visa should be processed within 48 to 72 hours.
- If you are applying manually, the processing time depends on the office which is handling your application. Still, in most cases, the Malaysia visa is processed within 7-8 working days.
What is the difference between a Malaysian Visa and Pass?
A Malasyian Visa allows the holder to travel to Malaysia, whereas the Malaysia Pass indicates the purpose of the travel. Some Passes you receive at the port of entry upon arrival, while others, you have to receive before you can apply for a visa, such as an Employment Pass. As such, the Malaysia Passes are divided in the following:
- Malaysia Transit Visas. You need to apply for a transit visa if you have to enter Malaysia in order to board another flight on your way to a third country.
- Malaysia Tourist Visa. You will need to obtain a tourist visa for Malaysia if you plan on entering the country for tourism purposes and fall under the Malaysian visa regime.
- Short Term Social Visit Pass, which you receive upon arrival to Malaysia. You will receive this Pass if you are traveling for a short-term purpose, such as visiting family/friends, tourism, business trip, attending a seminar, entering an exam, partaking in a sports competition, etc.
- Employment Pass, which allows you to work in a Malaysian company/organisation. The Expatriate Committee (EC) or another Malaysian authority has to approve your position in the company before you can apply.
- Dependant Pass, which is issued to the dependents of Employment Pass holders (spouses, children under 18, or elderly parents)
- Visitor’s Pass (Temporary Employment). You have to apply for this pass before you travel if you have found an employer in Malaysia and want to take up work in an approved sector or as a Foreign Domestic Helper.
- Visitor’s Pass (Professional). You must apply for this Pass if you want to offer professional services in Malaysia for a short period of time or to undergo training.
- Long Term Social Visit Pass, which is issued to foreigners who want to stay in Malaysia for longer than six months and fulfill the requirements. However, you cannot work or become self-employed with this Pass. If you are the spouse/partner of a Malaysian citizen, you can receive this Pass for up to 5 years, which is why it is also known as the Spouse Visa for Malaysia.
- Student Pass, also known as the Malaysia Student Visa. If you want to pursue studies in Malaysia, you have to apply for a Student Pass before you travel.
- Residence Pass, which is issued to highly qualified foreigners who will work in Malaysia for up to 10 years. You can only apply for the Residence Pass if you have already worked in Malaysia for at least three years prior to application