Malaysia Visit Visa 2025: Online Application Process & Approval Time

Planning to visit Malaysia in 2025 for tourism, family visits, or business? The Malaysia eVisa (electronic visa) is a convenient way for eligible international travelers to apply online without visiting an embassy.

Who Needs a Malaysia Visit Visa?

• Visa-Exempt: Citizens of 181 countries (e.g., US, UK, Canada, EU, Australia) can enter Malaysia visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business. Indian and Chinese nationals can stay up to 30 days visa-free until December 31, 2026, for tourism, business, or transit.
• eVisa Required: Nationals of countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and others not eligible for visa-free entry or eNTRI must apply for an eVisa for short-term visits (tourism, family visits, or business).
• eNTRI (Electronic Travel Registration and Information): Available only for Indian and Chinese nationals, valid for a single 15-day stay (no extension).
• Note: Visa-free entry and eNTRI require a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) submitted online within 3 days before arrival at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main.

Eligibility for Malaysia eVisa

The eVisa is available for nationals of select countries (e.g., Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal) for:

• Tourist eVisa: For holidays, visiting family/friends, or short-term tourism (up to 30 days).
• Business eVisa: For meetings, seminars, or conferences (up to 30 days, no employment).
• Restrictions: Not available for those in Malaysia, Singapore, or countries without diplomatic ties with Malaysia (e.g., Israel). Applicants must apply from their country of residence.

Required Documents

Upload these documents to malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my in PDF or JPG format:

• Passport: Valid for at least 6 months from entry date, with 2 blank pages. Include a color scan of the biodata page.
• Photo: Recent passport-size photo (3.5 x 5 cm, white background, taken within 6 months).
• Financial Proof: Bank statement (last 3–6 months) showing USD 500–1,000 (~MYR 2,100–4,200) for a 30-day trip. Alternatives: credit card statements or traveler’s checks.
• Travel Itinerary: Confirmed return or onward flight tickets (within 30 days for eVisa, 15 days for eNTRI).
• Accommodation Proof: Hotel booking or invitation letter from a Malaysian host (with their ID and address).
• Cover Letter: Explaining your travel purpose, dates, and itinerary (e.g., visiting Kuala Lumpur, Penang).
• Additional Documents (if applicable):
  • For family visits: Proof of relationship (e.g., birth/marriage certificate).
  • For business: Invitation letter from a Malaysian company.
  • For freelancers: Contracts or income proof with a cover letter explaining income sources.
• Translations: Non-English documents must have certified English translations.

Note: Ensure documents are clear and meet specifications to avoid rejection. Print the approved eVisa on A4 paper (color or black-and-white) for entry.

Visa Fees (2025)

• eVisa: USD 50 (~MYR 210), including processing fee.
  • Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard (0.8% transaction fee), or eWallets like Alipay/WeChatPay/UnionPay (1.7% fee).
• eNTRI: USD 25 (~MYR 105) for Indian/Chinese nationals, non-refundable.
• Biometric Fee: USD 10 (~MYR 42) if required at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
• Note: Fees are non-refundable, even if the application is rejected. Pay online via malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my.

Online Application Process

The Malaysia eVisa is applied for online via malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my. Follow these steps:

1. Check Eligibility: Confirm your country is eligible for eVisa or eNTRI at malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my.
2. Create Account: Sign up on malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my with your email and passport details.
3. Complete Form: Fill out the online application with personal, passport, and travel details. For eNTRI, use the same portal.
4. Upload Documents: Attach passport, photo, financial proof, itinerary, and other required files.
5. Pay Fees: Pay USD 50 (eVisa) or USD 25 (eNTRI) online. Keep the payment receipt.
6. Submit Application: Review and submits. You’ll get a reference number to track status.
7. Biometrics (if required): Visit a VAC (e.g., VFS Global) for fingerprints and photo if requested.
8. Receive eVisa: If approved, the eVisa is emailed within 3–7 days. Print it on A4 paper and carry a digital copy.
9. At Entry: Present your eVisa, passport, return ticket, and accommodation proof at Malaysian entry points (e.g., Kuala Lumpur International Airport, land borders).

Approval Time

• eVisa: 3–7 business days (standard processing). Rush processing (1–2 days) may be available via agencies like iVisa for an extra fee (USD 20–50).
• eNTRI: 1–3 business days for Indian/Chinese nationals.
• Delays: May occur during peak seasons (e.g., December–January) or if documents are incomplete. Apply 2–3 weeks before travel to avoid issues.
• Tracking: Check status on malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my using your reference number.

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)

• Mandatory: All foreign travelers (except Malaysian permanent residents) must submit the MDAC online at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main within 3 days before arrival.
• Details: Provide passport info, travel dates, and accommodation details.
• Purpose: Replaces paper arrival cards for faster immigration processing.

Tips to Avoid Rejection

• Apply Early: Submit 2–3 weeks before travel to account for delays.
• Accurate Documents: Ensure passport, photo, and financial proof meet specifications. Double-check for errors.
• Show Ties to Home Country: Provide job letters, property deeds, or family ties to prove you’ll return.
• Sufficient Funds: Show USD 500–1,000 in bank statements to cover expenses. Avoid sudden large deposits.
• Use Official Channels: Apply via malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my to avoid scams. Agencies like iVisa or VisaHQ are reliable but charge extra.
• Complete MDAC: Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card 3 days before arrival to avoid entry issues.
• No Overstay: Visa-free stays (90/30 days) or eVisa/eNTRI (30/15 days) cannot be extended. Overstaying leads to fines, detention, or bans.
• Interview (Rare): If summoned (e.g., for suspicious applications), attend at a Malaysian embassy with all documents. Be honest about travel plans.

Common Interview Questions (If Required)

Interviews are rare but may occur for complex cases. Be prepared for:

1. Why are you visiting Malaysia?
   • Tip: Specify tourism, family, or business with details.
   • Sample Answer: “I’m visiting Kuala Lumpur and Penang for a 10-day holiday to explore cultural sites.”
2. How long will you stay?
   • Tip: Match your return ticket and eVisa duration (30 days).
   • Sample Answer: “I’ll stay for 2 weeks, returning on June 15, as shown in my ticket.”
3. How will you fund your trip?
   • Tip: Reference bank statements or sponsor’s funds.
   • Sample Answer: “My savings of USD 1,000 will cover my trip, as per my bank statement.”
4. What ties do you have to your home country?
   • Tip: Highlight job, family, or property.
   • Sample Answer: “I have a stable job and family in my home country, so I’ll return after my visit.”

Why These Rules?

Malaysia’s visa policies, enforced by the Immigration Department, balance tourism promotion with immigration control. The eVisa and eNTRI systems, expanded in 2023–2025, simplify applications but require strict checks to prevent overstays. The MDAC ensures faster border processing and tracks arrivals. High refusal rates (10–15% for some nationalities) reflect concerns about illegal stays or incomplete applications.

By applying early, submitting complete documents, and using official channels like malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my, you can ensure a smooth Malaysia Visit Visa application in 2025. For updates, check www.imi.gov.my or www.malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my.