malaysia tourist visa for australian citizens

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Exercise normal safety precautions in Malaysia.

Malaysia (PDF 367.29 KB)

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Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies.

Call 999 or contact the Royal Malaysia Police Operations Centre on 321 159 999 or 322 662 222.

Advice levels

Reconsider your need to travel to the coastal region of eastern Sabah, including the islands, dive sites and associated tourist facilities.

Reconsider your need to travel to the coastal region of eastern Sabah, including the islands, dive sites and associated tourist facilities, due to the high threat of kidnapping. The risk of kidnapping increases on the water and waterfront after nightfall and is highest in the area between the towns of Sandakan and Tawau.

See Safety .

• There is a risk of terrorism in Malaysia. Terrorism is a global threat. Attacks could be random and small-scale. Possible targets could include tourist areas and a range of other locations frequented by foreigners (see Full Advice - Safety below), including in Kuala Lumpur. Take official warnings seriously. There was an armed attack on a police station in Johor Bahru on 17 May in which two police officers were killed.  
• There's an ongoing high risk of kidnapping in the coastal areas of eastern Sabah. There have been a number of attempted and successful kidnappings. This includes islands, dive sites and tourist facilities. If, despite our advice, you travel to these areas, get professional security advice. Obey all local governments' curfews.
• Petty crime is common. Bag-snatching, including by thieves on motorbikes, happens often. When walking, hold your bag on the opposite side to the traffic. Safeguard your belongings, especially in shopping centres, at the airport and on trains. Credit card fraud is common. Always keep your credit card in sight when paying for purchases.
• Assault, sexual assault, robbery and drink spiking can occur, including in tourist areas of Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Don't leave your food or drinks unattended. Never accept food, drinks, cigarettes or gum from strangers. Stay with people you trust at parties, bars, nightclubs and taxis.
• Piracy in South-East Asian waters is an ongoing problem. Avoid travelling by boat in the southern Sulu Sea. If you intend to travel in the region by boat, check the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reports . Arrange personal security measures.

Full travel advice: Safety

• Strict rules control the importation of prescription and non-prescription medication. If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Malaysia.
• Dengue fever is common, including in major urban areas. Zika virus is also a risk. Malaria is a risk in rural areas. Other insect-borne diseases include chikungunya, filariasis and Japanese encephalitis. 
• Rabies is present in Malaysia. It's fatal without immediate treatment. Avoid dogs, monkeys and other mammals. Get medical help straight away if an animal bites or scratches you.
• Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common. These include hepatitis, tuberculosis, typhoid and cholera. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid raw or undercooked food.
• Private hospitals in major cities are of an international standard. You'll need to pay up-front at all hospitals unless you have travel insurance, and your travel insurance policy covers your hospitalisation. Services are more limited in rural areas. Government hospitals require a deposit even if you have travel insurance.
• Cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have increased in Sabah. Ensure you're immunised against pertussis and practice good personal hygiene.

Full travel advice: Health

• If you're suspected of using drugs, you may be required to take a urine test on arrival in Malaysia. This includes if you're travelling from a country where possession and use of drugs such as cannabis is legal. Penalties for drug offences are severe. 
• Don't use, carry or traffic illegal drugs. Punishments include the death penalty.
• It's unclear if surrogacy is legal under Malaysian civil law and what conditions apply. Get legal advice before arranging a surrogacy.

Malaysian law requires that you carry identification, such as your passport or a Malaysian Immigration Issued Card (IKAD), with you at all times. If you are asked by police and are unable to provide it, you may be detained until you can present valid identification.

• Malaysia is a multicultural but mostly Islamic country. Many areas have conservative standards of dress and behaviour, including at religious sites and government offices. Get advice on local customs.
• Malaysia enforces some aspects of sharia law. These laws apply to all Muslims, including visitors from Australia. Research laws that apply to you before you travel.
• Malaysia doesn't recognise dual nationality. Always travel on your Australian passport. If Malaysian authorities find out you're a dual citizen, you may need to renounce one of your citizenships immediately, or you may not be permitted to depart Malaysia.

Full travel advice: Local laws

You must complete a  Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)  before arrival in Malaysia. The MDAC must be submitted through the  Malaysian Immigration website . See the  Malaysian Immigration website  for further information, including exemption details.

• In most circumstances, you can get a 90-day tourism visa on arrival. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Malaysian High Commission, Embassy or Consulate for the latest details.
• Malaysia has an auto gate facility for visitors from several countries, including Australia. The option to use the manual counter for a visa is still available. To use the auto gate facilities, Australian travellers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months and must complete and submit their  Malaysian Digital Arrival Card  (MDAC) 3 days before arriving. The auto gate facility is unavailable for Australian passport holders with Malaysian permanent residency or a long-term pass. This auto gate facility is available at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminals 1 and 2. Further information can be found on the  Malaysia Digital Arrival Card  website.
• Monitor the websites of the  Malaysian Department of Immigration,  My Safe Travel , the  Malaysian Ministry of Health , and social media for any changes to entry requirements. Before travel, confirm entry requirements with the  Malaysian High Commission or Consulate-General in Australia .

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

• The Consular Services Charter details what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
• For consular help, contact the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur .
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the High Commission's social media accounts.

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Terrorist attacks could happen in Malaysia. Attacks could be random and may affect locations popular with foreigners or during major events or holidays that attract large crowds.

Malaysian authorities have arrested people for planning terror attacks. This includes attacks against entertainment venues in Kuala Lumpur.

There was an armed attack on a police station in Johor Bahru on 17 May in which two police officers were killed.

Other possible targets include:

• hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes
• markets and shopping malls
• places of worship or religious holidays
• outdoor recreation events
• tourist areas
• government facilities
• public transport

To stay safe:

• be alert to possible threats, especially in public places
• be cautious around places known to be possible terrorist targets
• report any suspicious activity or items to police
• check the media for any new or emerging threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. 

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

Terrorist threats

Overland travel through Thailand

Read our travel advice for Thailand if you're planning to go there overland.

Avoid travelling to or through the far southern provinces of Thailand.

Kidnapping occurs across the world with political, ideological, and criminal motives. Foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped overseas whilst travelling. Kidnaps can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk.  

There's an ongoing high threat of kidnapping in the coastal areas of eastern Sabah, including islands, dive sites and other tourist facilities.

Extremists based in the southern Philippines are active in the area between the towns of Sandakan and Tawau in eastern Sabah.

Foreigners have been kidnapped from the nearby islands of Sipadan and Mataking and surrounding waters.

Some attempted and successful kidnappings have happened in coastal areas of eastern Sabah in recent years.

• In April 2024, two Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency personnel were injured in a shootout with a suspicious vessel while on patrol near Kunak.
• In May 2021, Malaysian authorities arrested eight suspected Abu Sayyaf militants who they suspect may have been planning kidnappings in Malaysia.
• In September 2019, 3 fishermen were abducted in the waters off Lahad Datu.
• In June 2019, 10 fishermen were abducted in waters between Lahad Datu, Sabah and Sitangkai, Southern Philippines.
• In December 2018, 3 fishermen were abducted from Pegasus Reef near Kinabatangan, Sabah.
• In November 2016, militants based in the southern Philippines attacked a yacht in waters between eastern Sabah and the Sulu archipelago. One German national was killed and another kidnapped and later killed.  Further in 2016, some commercial seamen were kidnapped from cargo vessels in the area.
• In May 2015, gunmen entered a local seaside restaurant in Sandakan and abducted the manager and one customer.

Malaysian authorities increased security in the region in response to kidnapping incidents. The Sabah Government has restricted the use of waterways.

Security measures

There's a 6pm to 6am curfew on water travel in 6 coastal districts of eastern Sabah state. This includes offshore areas up to 3 nautical miles (5.5km) from the coast.

All vessels travelling in the waters off Lahad Datu and Sandakan in daylight hours must get a permit or permission from police.

Vessels must travel only on designated routes.

There's a ban on resort-organised water activities at night. This includes diving and fishing.

Authorities established the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), which includes the regions of:

• Kinabatangan
• Kota Marudu

There's an increased presence of security forces in the ESSZone.

Authorities may extend the water travel curfew each fortnight. If you travel by water during curfew hours without permission, authorities could fine you or jail you for up to 6 months.

If, despite our advice, you travel to an area with a high risk of kidnapping, our ability to provide consular assistance in these destinations will be limited.  

To reduce the risk of kidnapping:  

• always be alert to your personal security and surroundings  
• get professional security advice for travel in locations with a heightened kidnap risk  
• check your accommodation has appropriate security measures  
• avoid isolated locations, particularly when travelling alone  
• notify family or friends of planned travel and share your location   
• avoid talking about your money or business affairs  
• use ATMs in public places and during daylight hours  
• avoid giving personal details to strangers online or over the phone

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers. Ransom payments to kidnappers have funded further terrorist attacks and criminal activity. Paying a ransom to terrorist groups will likely break Australian counter-terrorism financing laws.  

Civil unrest and political tension

You could encounter protests or demonstrations on the streets or at certain venues.

Protest activity could lead to violence and disrupt public services, including public transport, and cause traffic congestion. However, this is rare.

Police permission is needed for public gatherings and demonstrations. If you take part in a protest or demonstration, authorities could arrest and deport you.

Avoid protests and demonstrations.

During periods of unrest:

• check the news and other sources for information on planned and possible unrest or strikes
• plan your activities to avoid unrest on national or commemorative days
• be ready to change your travel plans

If civil unrest disrupts your transport plans, contact your airline, travel agent or insurer for help.

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Petty crime

Petty crime is common.

Opportunistic pickpocketing and snatch-and-grab robberies happen often where thieves snatch handbags, shoulder bags, jewellery, mobile phones and other valuables from pedestrians.

Hotspots include busy pedestrian crossings near major shopping malls, including within the KLCC area.

Motorcyclists, and sometimes thieves in other moving vehicles, pull bags from victims. This often causes injuries.

Smash-and-grab attacks against slow-moving and parked vehicles also happen.

To avoid petty crime:

• don't carry bags that are easy to snatch
• walk on footpaths when you can and stay away from the curb
• hold your bag on the opposite side to the traffic
• when driving or parking your car, keep valuables out of sight
• always keep vehicle windows up and doors locked, even when moving

Handbags, expensive watches, jewellery, mobile phones and cameras are tempting targets for thieves.

Many travellers have lost passports and other valuables to thieves on trains and at airports.

Carry only what you need and leave other valuables, in a secure location.

Thieves sometimes work in groups at busy shopping centres. One or more may approach you with stories of distress or warnings for your safety. When you're distracted, others steal your belongings.

Watch your personal belongings, especially:

• in crowded areas and during holiday periods
• when travelling on trains from the airport
• at airports

Be wary of approaches from strangers, especially in shopping centres.

Credit card fraud

Credit card fraud is common.

Credit cards are often copied for illegal use. This can happen anywhere, from small shops to large department stores and hotels.

Always keep your credit card in sight.

Online scams

Online scams  have increased in recent years. Scammers often pretend to be people in need of financial help.

They prey on people looking for companions on online dating websites.

To protect yourself from being scammed:

• be wary of people asking for money
• don't send money or provide your bank details to anyone you don't know
• be careful when sharing personal information with people you haven't met in person

Scams involving gambling are also common.

Violent crime

You could experience violent crime in Malaysia. Australians have been victims of violent crime in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and other areas of the country. You should exercise vigilance and take sensible precautions. If you're a victim of crime, inform the local police and get a police report.

Incidents of assault, sexual assault, robbery and drink spiking, including in tourist areas of Kuala Lumpur and Penang have occured. Don't leave your food or drinks unattended. Never accept food, drinks, cigarettes or gum from strangers. Stay with people you trust at parties, bars, nightclubs and taxis.

To stay safe while using taxis:

• don't hail taxis on the street, especially after dark
• book taxis by phone at a shopping centre taxi desk
• check there's a licence with photo on the dashboard or seat back before getting into a taxi
• check the driver matches the photo.

If you're alone in a taxi, sit in the back seat. Keep your belongings with you in the taxi.

If your taxi stops to pick up other passengers, get out of the taxi when it's safe to do so. Taxi drivers aren't allowed to pick up extra passengers, but it sometimes happens.

E-hailing services are available. Use the same precautions as taxis.

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas  

Climate and natural disasters

Malaysia experiences severe weather and natural disasters , including:

• earthquakes
• severe rainstorms

If there's a natural disaster:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• keep in contact with your friends and family
• monitor local media and weather reports
• check with tour operators before travelling to affected areas

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Earthquakes can happen in Malaysia.

In 2018, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit Sabah. No deaths or injuries were reported. The earthquake's tremors were felt and climbing activities were suspended.

Coastal regions of the world can experience tsunamis. Malaysia and its neighbours are vulnerable to earthquakes, which make destructive tsunamis more likely.

US Tsunami Warning Centre

Severe weather

Flooding and landslides are common during the wet season which is usually from October to February.

Severe rainstorms can result in deaths and extensively damaged infrastructure.

Essential services can be interrupted.

Tours and adventure activities

The safety standards you might expect of transport and tour operators aren't always met. This includes for adventure activities, such as diving.

Operators may not provide enough safety equipment. They also may not pay attention to maintenance standards and safety precautions.

If you plan to do a tour or adventure activity:

• check your travel insurance covers you for it
• ask and insist on minimum safety requirements
• use available safety equipment, such as life jackets or seatbelts

If appropriate safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

Piracy in South-East Asian waters is an ongoing problem, especially in the:

• Strait of Malacca
• waters between Sabah and the southern Philippines

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) issues weekly piracy reports.

Avoid travelling by boat in the southern Sulu Sea. This includes waters between Sabah, Malaysia and Palawan in the Philippines.

If you decide to travel by boat in these regions:

• check IMB piracy reports
• get local advice
• arrange security measures

Travelling by boat

• Going on a cruise

Travel Insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

You'll probably need a specialised insurance policy that covers travel to high-risk destinations if, despite our advice, you're travelling to the coastal region of eastern Sabah.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up   
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Malaysia. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Strict rules control the importation of prescription and non-prescription medication. Contact the  high commission or embassy of Malaysia  to check what documentation local authorities may need you to have. Further information can be found on the  Pharmaceuticals Services website.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating: 

• what the medication is 
• your required dosage 
• that it's for personal use 

More information: 

Health risks

Smoke haze often happens from June to October, but it can happen at any time.

Check the haze situation and any health warnings the Malaysian Government issues.

When haze levels are high, authorities recommend limiting outdoor activity. Get your own medical advice.

• World Air Quality

Insect-borne diseases

Dengue  is common, including in major urban areas. Sometimes serious outbreaks happen.

There's no vaccination or treatment available for dengue fever.

Zika virus is a risk. There's no vaccination for it.

If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends you:

• discuss any travel plans with your doctor
• consider deferring non-essential travel to affected areas

The Zika virus bulletin includes advice on how to minimise Zika virus risks.

Malaria is a risk in rural areas. It's less common in urban and coastal areas. Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.

Outbreaks of other insect-borne diseases can happen. This includes chikungunya and filariasis .

Reported cases of Japanese encephalitis have increased in recent years. Get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis before you travel

The risk of contracting insect-borne diseases increases during the wet season.

To protect yourself from disease:

• ensure your accommodation is insect-proof
• always use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Ministry of Health Malaysia

Rabies is a potentially fatal viral disease. It's found in dogs, monkeys, bats and other mammals.

The most recent cases were reported in Sarawak. It was transmitted through feral dog and cat bites.

Rabies can also be contracted when a rabid animal's saliva gets directly into your eyes, nose, mouth or broken skin.

Avoid direct contact with dogs and other mammals.

If a dog, monkey or other mammal bites or scratches you, use soap and water straight away to wash the wound thoroughly.

Get urgent medical attention.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common.

These include:

• tuberculosis
• hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid uncooked and undercooked food, such as salads
• wash your hands often and thoroughly

Get medical attention if you suspect food poisoning, or if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have increased in Sabah since the beginning of 2023. If you're planning to travel to Sabah:

• ensure you're immunised against pertussis
• practice good personal hygiene including frequent hand washing, not sharing drinks or lip balm
• keep your distance from people who appear sick
• seek medical attention if you develop symptoms

Infectious diseases

Marine stings

Stings from jellyfish and other marine animals can be fatal.

Ask local authorities, your tour operator or hotel about:

• swimming conditions
• precautions to take
• other dangers

Black henna tattoos

Avoid temporary black henna tattoos as they often contain a dye that can cause serious skin reactions.

Medical care

Medical facilities.

You can find private hospitals with international-standard facilities in major cities.

Public hospitals in major cities have a good range of medical services. However, access can be slow. Services are more limited in rural areas.

Most private hospitals need a cash deposit or a confirmation of insurance before they will admit you. They also expect immediate payment for services.

You need to pay up-front for treatment at government hospitals.

There are decompression chambers in:

Medical tourism

Medical tourism , including for cosmetic surgery, is common.

Standards at discount and uncertified medical facilities can be poor.

Serious and possibly life-threatening complications can result.

Before travelling for medical tourism:

• research and choose medical service providers carefully
• don't use discount or uncertified medical service providers
• check your travel insurance covers you if things go wrong with your surgery, as most don't

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

If you're suspected of using drugs before you visit Malaysia, you may be required to take a urine test on arrival. This includes if you're travelling from a country where possession and use of drugs such as cannabis is legal. 

Penalties for drug offences are severe, including drug possession and the presence of drugs in your bloodstream. Malaysia still carries the death penalty for drug trafficking.

Carrying or using drugs

Surrogacy laws

Malaysian civil law applies to everyone in Malaysia. Under this law, it's unclear if surrogacy is legal and what conditions apply.

Under sharia law, surrogacy is illegal. However, sharia law only applies to Muslims.

Surrogacy isn't practised openly in Malaysia. If you want to pursue surrogacy, it's mostly a private arrangement between you and the surrogate.

Get independent legal advice before entering into a surrogacy arrangement.

• Going overseas for international surrogacy
• Going overseas to adopt

Malaysia enforces some aspects of sharia law. These laws apply to all Muslims, including those from Australia.

Research laws that apply to you before you travel.

Serious crime

Crimes that may attract corporal punishment include:

• certain drug offences
• commercial crime

LGBTQIA+ law

Same-sex sexual relations are illegal.

Punishment can include whipping and up to 20 years in prison for same-sex acts involving either men or women.

LGBTQIA+ travellers

Drink driving

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offence, which can result in fines and/or a jail sentence. Authorities strictly enforce these laws. 

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

Staying within the law and respecting customs

Local customs

Malaysia is a multicultural but mostly Islamic country.

Standards of dress and behaviour are conservative in many areas. This includes at religious sites and government offices.

Always respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions.

Learn about customs at your destination. If in doubt, get advice from locals. Take care not to offend cultural or religious beliefs.

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan  is observed in Malaysia. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking may be illegal in public during the day. If you're not fasting, avoid these activities around people who are. Seek local advice to avoid offence.

Explore our Ramadan page to learn more, including dates for Ramadan.

Dual citizenship

Malaysia doesn't recognise dual nationality.

If you're a dual citizen, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

Always travel on your Australian passport .

If Malaysian authorities find out you hold both Australian and Malaysian citizenship, you may need to renounce either your Australian or Malaysian citizenship straight away, or you may not be permitted to depart Malaysia.

Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

In most circumstances, Australian passport holders can get a 90-day tourism visa on arrival. 

Arrange a visa before you travel if you're visiting for:

• volunteer work

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest high commission, embassy or consulate  of Malaysia for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

If you breach your visa conditions or overstay your visa, authorities may fine, detain or deport you.

Always check the correct dates are on the visa stamp placed in your passport.

Follow immigration rules, including your visa conditions.

Border measures

Malaysia has an auto gate facility for visitors from several countries, including Australia. The option to use the manual counter for a visa is still available. To use the auto gate facilities, Australian visitors must have a passport valid for at least 6 months and must complete and submit their  Malaysian Digital Arrival Card  (MDAC) 3 days before arriving.

The auto gate facility is unavailable for Australian passport holders with Malaysian permanent residency or a long-term pass. This auto gate facility is available at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminals 1 and 2. Further information can be found on the  Malaysia Digital Arrival Card  website.

Entry requirements may change at short notice. Monitor the websites of the  Malaysian Department of Immigration ,  My Safe Travel , the  Malaysian Ministry of Health , and social media for any changes. Before travel, confirm entry requirements with the  Malaysian High Commission or Consulate-General in Australia .

Staying in Malaysia

You should ensure you keep your visa up to date.

Other formalities

Foreigners need to provide biometric identification (fingerprints and/or face) on arrival.

Children aged younger than 12 years and visitors with finger disabilities don't have to do this.

Some countries including Malaysia won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for more than 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

More information:   

• LGBTQIA+ travellers 

The official currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).

When you depart, declare any MYR over MYR30,000, $US10,000 or equivalent. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

You can take larger amounts out of the country if you declare it when you arrive.

ATMs are widely available.

Local travel

If you travel between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, you need your passport. East Malaysia includes Sabah and Sarawak.

Check if your travel insurance policy covers you for any related damage and injuries if you plan to hire:

• a motorcycle
• any other vehicle

Driving permit

To drive in Malaysia, you need both:

• a valid Australian driver's licence
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Get your IDP before you leave Australia.

If you don't have both, you need to apply for a Malaysian licence.

Driving or riding

Road travel

Motorcyclists are a common traffic hazard. They often:

• weave through traffic
• drive through red lights and pedestrian crossings
• travel on the wrong side of the road

Motorcyclists have been increasingly confronting drivers who shout, gesture or toot their horn at them. They sometimes assault drivers.

You're more likely to die in a car accident in Malaysia than in Australia.

To stay safe, drive carefully and avoid road rage.

On a motorcycle, always wear a helmet.

Some taxi drivers, especially in tourist spots or when roads are jammed, don't use their meter. This is illegal.

Malaysia's taxi regulator has an English-language hotline for reporting problems. To make a report, call 1 800 88 7723 and provide the:

• vehicle number
• taxi company name
• time, date and location of the incident
• name of the driver if known

Always ask if the driver will use the meter, or agree the fare, before you get in a taxi.

At the start of your trip, take note of the vehicle number, the taxi company name and the name of the driver.

Public transport

There have been fatal and other serious accidents involving long-distance tour buses. This often happens at night or in bad weather.

If you plan to travel by bus, choose a company with a good reputation and avoid overnight travel.

Transport and getting around safely

In recent years, several passenger boats have sunk due to overloading and poor maintenance.

Before booking tickets on a passenger ferry, speedboat or other vessel, check there is appropriate safety equipment available.

Don't travel on any vessel that looks overloaded or in poor condition.

When you board, confirm there are enough life jackets for all passengers. Know where they are.

In bad weather, wear a life jacket, even if others don't.

There is a curfew on travel by water from 6pm to 6am in the coastal districts of eastern Sabah. See ( Safety) .

Airline safety

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Malaysia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

National parks

National parks are protected areas, and some are home to ethnic minority groups.

Be respectful of the law and customs in these areas. If in doubt, seek local advice.

Don't remove any wildlife or plants from the park.

Before entering a park, register your plans with park officials and let someone you trust know where you're going.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Call 999 or contact the Royal Malaysia Police Operations Centre on +60321 159 999 or Royal Malaysia Headquarters (Bukit Aman) +603 22662 222.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance, contact the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur

6 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng 50450 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Phone: (+60 3) 2146 5555/2146 5575 Fax: (+60 3) 2141 5773 Website: malaysia.highcommission.gov.au Email: [email protected] Facebook: Australia in Malaysia X: @AusHCMalaysia

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

You can get limited consular help, including lodging Australian passport applications, at the following Australian consulates headed by honorary consuls:

Australian Consulate, Penang

Level 3 Jalan Macalister  10400 Penang Malaysia Phone: (+60 4) 226 8955 Fax: (+60 4) 228 3366 Email: [email protected]

Australian Consulate, Kota Kinabalu

Lot 01-05, 11th Floor Jubili Tower (Menara Jubili) 53, Jalan Gaya 88000 Kota Kinabalu Sabah Malaysia Phone: (+60 88) 267 151 Fax: (+60 88) 266 509 Email:  [email protected]

Australian Consulate, Sarawak

E39 Level 2 Taman Sri Sarawak Mall Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman 93100 Kuching Sarawak Malaysia Phone: (+60 19) 898 9787 Email: [email protected]

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

Malaysia Visa for Tourists in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Updated: June 12, 2024

Malaysia tourist visa requirements are fairly easy to understand. Most nationalities are exempt from a tourist visa. Rest can obtain an eVisa or Visa on Arrival.

Currently, there are 5 different visa options available to enter Malaysia as a tourist.

• Visa Exemption: 169 nationalities are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days
• Visa on Arrival: 2 nationalities are eligible to obtain Visa on Arrival for stays up to 15 days
• eVisa: 33 nationalities can obtain eVisa for stays up to 30 days
• Transit Without Visa (TWOA): 9 nationalities are eligible to obtain TWOA for 120 hours (5 days)
• Visa from the embassy: 35 nationalities require a pre-approved visa from the Malaysian embassy prior to arrival

Table of Contents

Malaysia tourist visa requirements by nationality.

Minimum passport validity required to enter Malaysia as a tourist

The minimum passport validity required to enter Malaysia is 6 months.

VISA REQUIRED nationalities

30-day, single-entry.

• Afghanistan
• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Congo Rep. of
• Congo Dem. Rep.
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• North Korea

TRANSIT VISA EXEMPT nationalities

A Malaysia transit visa is NOT REQUIRED if

• You are NOT leaving the airport and
• Continuing to the next destination with the same flight/airline

TRANSIT WITHOUT VISA (TWOV) nationalities

120-hour (5-day), single-entry, visa requirement for cruise passengers.

A Malaysia visa is REQUIRED to disembark the cruise at Malaysian ports.

Visa Exemption (VISA-FREE)

Malaysia has a liberal visa policy offering visa exemption to 169 nationalities. Most nationalities can stay up to 30 days without requiring a tourist visa. About one-third of these nationalities can stay up to 90 days without a visa. 

90-day entry

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Saudi Arabia
• Sint Maarten
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States

30-day entry

• Antigua and Barbuda
• China (* temporary)
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• India (* temporary)
• Marshall Islands
• North Macedonia
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Timor-Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Vatican City

* Temporary China and India are temporarily visa-exempt until 31 Dec 2024.

14-day entry

Documents to carry

Apart from your passport, you must also carry the below documents in print or on your smartphone.

• Proof of return or onward travel (your return or onward flight/bus/train ticket)
• Proof of accommodation (a hotel reservation for the first few days)
• Proof of funds to sustain your trip (some cash or ATM/Credit cards)

If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, make sure to get proof of return ticket from an onward ticket agency such as Best Onward Ticket .

Malaysia Visa on Arrival (VOA)

Malaysia Visa on Arrival (VOA) is available to China and India passport holders arriving from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia or Brunei with a valid visa from those countries. 

There are some specific rules to follow and can only be obtained at certain ports. 

Requirements

• You must arrive from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, or Brunei with a valid visa from the country.
• You must produce a valid onward ticket out of Malaysia within 15 days.
• You must prove that you have at least 500 USD (or the equivalent in Malaysian Ringgit). The money can be in cash or credit or debit card. 

The visa on arrival costs 200 MYR and is payable only by card. This makes it the most expensive tourist visa option for Malaysia, so you should consider getting an eVisa as a cheaper alternative.

Allowed stay

You can stay in Malaysia for 15 days using the VOA. This is strictly not extendable.

For further reading, refer to the Malaysia Visa on Arrival article to learn about allowed ports of entry, documents required and the VOA procedure at Kuala Lumpur airport.

Malaysia eVisa

Malaysia eVisa is available to those nationalities that are not visa-exempt. There are two types of eVisas, Single Entry Visa (SEV) and Multiple Entry Visa (MEV). Both are valid for 6 months and allow stays of 30 days. The approval process takes about 2 working days. 

You must print the eVisa after you get it. Digital copies are not accepted.

Eligible countries

• Congo Democratic Republic
• Congo Republic
• Ivory Coast

*India and China are visa-exempt until 31 Dec 2024.

You can apply for the eVisa from anywhere in the world, except from these 3 countries:

If you are applying from a country other than your country of passport, you must provide proof of residency in that country. The eVisa portal tracks the IP address. It knows where you are applying from and asks you to upload proof of residency from that country.

If you reside in Israel or North Korea, you will not be allowed to apply. If you are already inside Malaysia, you won’t be allowed to apply either. 

Required documents

During the application process, you will need to upload the following:

• Copy of passport biodata page (passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry into Malaysia)
• Digital passport photo
• Confirmed return ticket
• Proof of paid accommodation
• Birth certificate for minor applicants (if applicable)
• Other supporting documents (if any)

The requirements for the facial photo are very strict. The application will not let you proceed until you have uploaded a satisfactory image. There is also an editor which will prompt you to crop and adjust the image.

The eVisa will cost around 126 MYR in total:

• A visa fee of 20 MYR for most nationalities (50 MYR for India and 30 MYR for China)
• A processing charge of 105 MYR
• A service service charge of 0.8% for card payment or 1.7% for eWallet payment

For further reading, refer to the Malaysia eVisa article. This article has detailed information on the eVisa eligibility, requirements, documentation, processing time and application procedure. It will also direct you to a step-by-step article to help you apply for your Malaysia eVisa.

MALAYSIA TOURIST VISA FROM THE EMBASSY

Validity of malaysia tourist visa.

The validity of a Malaysia tourist visa is 3 months for a single entry and 6 months for a multiple entry visa.

How long can you stay in Malaysia on a tourist visa

You can stay up to 30 days in Malaysia on a tourist visa. Passport holders from the African continent can only stay up to 14 days. 

Passport validity required for tourist visa

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your expected date of arrival in Malaysia.

Blank pages needed in the passport for tourist visa

You must have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for the tourist visa. One page for the visa sticker and one page for entry and exit stamps.

Documents required

You will need the following documents.

• Completed Malaysia visa application form ( download here )
• Original passport
• 2 photocopies of the passport bio page
• 2 passport-size photos (3.5cm X 5cm)
• Round trip flight tickets (return ticket must be within 30 days of arrival)
• Bank statement
• Invitation letter (if any)
• Payment of visa fee
• Yellow fever vaccination if applicable ( these countries require a yellow fever vaccination)

Photo requirements

The photo must meet the following requirements.

• Must be of size 3.5cm X 5cm
• Must be in color with white background
• Must be the latest, taken in the last 6 months

The visa fee is anywhere from 6 MYR (about $1.5 USD) to 50 MYR (about $12 USD) depending on the country of your passport.

Please refer to the Malaysia Immigration Portal for the current visa fee for your nationality. 

Processing time

The tourist visa processing time is about 3-5 working days.

TWOV (TRANSIT WITHOUT VISA) TRANSIT PASS

Transit Without Visa (TWOV) is for those passengers that are transiting via Malaysia but would like to leave the airport and enter Malaysia for a limited amount of time.

TWOV is available at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA1 and KLIA 2) only. TWOV is NOT available at any other airport, land border or seaport in Malaysia.

Issuing of TWOV transit pass is at the discretion of the immigration officer at the airport.

TWOV is available to the following nationalities only.

• GROUP 1: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
• GROUP 2: Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam

TWOV requirements for GROUP 1: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

• Must hold a single/multiple-entry visa or residence permit from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan or the USA
• Must enter and exit KLIA1 or KLIA2 with Malaysian Airlines, Air Asia and Malindo Air only
• Must hold a confirmed (with e-ticket number) flight ticket to your country of passport or to a third country within 120 hours

TWOV requirements for GROUP 2: Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam

• Can enter KLIA1/KLIA2 with any airline but must exit KLIA1/KLIA2 with Malaysian Airlines or Air Asia only

NOTE If you are transiting via Malaysia and not leaving the airport, then you do not need a TWOV transit pass. TWOV transit pass is necessary only if you plan to leave the airport.  

Validity of TWOV transit pass

The validity of Malaysia TWOV transit pass is 120 hours (5 days) from the date and time of issue at the port of entry in Malaysia. 

How long can you stay in Malaysia on a TWOV transit pass

You can stay up to 120 hours (5 days) in Malaysia on a TWOV transit pass. Extensions are not allowed.

Passport validity required for TWOV transit pass

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival in Malaysia

• A valid single/multiple-entry visa or a residence permit from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan or the USA ( *this requirement is applicable to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka nationals only )
• A confirmed (with e-ticket number) flight ticket to your country of passport or to a third country within 120 hours
• Proof of financial ability of 500 MYR in the form of cash or credit/debit cards 

TWOV transit pass is issued FREE of cost to all eligible passport holders. 

ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURE AT THE AIRPORT

Entering malaysia by air.

If you are obtaining Visa on Arrival or Transit Without Visa (TWOV), head to Visa on Arrival (VOA) section. You must produce all the required documentation and fee in order to obtain your VOA or TWOV. 

If you are visa-exempt or hold an eVisa or a visa from the embassy, head straight to the immigration and customs. Present your eVisa print along with your original passport. 

You may be asked what you plan to do in Malaysia, how many days you plan to stay, etc. You may be asked to show your return/onward flight ticket and hotel booking. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, make sure to get proof of return ticket from an onward ticket agency such as onwardticket.com .

Leaving Malaysia by air

You will go through passport control on exit. Exit formalities are fairly quick but make sure to account for a bit of extra time for this. No questions will be asked unless you have overstayed your visa.

Malaysia tourist visa requirements are easy to understand. Though there are many types of visas, the requirements for each of them are very clear. Most nationalities are exempt from visas. Rest can obtain eVisa or Visa on Arrival. 

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 HeyMondo . HeyMondo offers a 5% discount to Visa Traveler readers (use the link above), and covers all medical and travel emergencies during your trip.

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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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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Get a Malaysia Visa

Tourist travel requirements for a malaysia visa for australian citizens, mandatory digital arrival card requirement.

• Diplomatic and Official passport holders
• Malaysia permanent residents and long term-pass holders
• General Certificate of Identity (GCI) Brunei Darussalam holders
• Brunei Malaysia Frequent Traveller Facility holders
• Thailand Border Pass holders
• Indonesia Cross-Border Travel Document (PLB) holders

Visa Exempt

• Hold a machine readable passport valid at least six months on entry with two blank visa pages
• Hold proof of sufficient funds
• Hold proof of onward/return airline tickets
• Hold proof of purpose of trip
• Hold all documents required for the next destination
• Hold a visa for the next destination, if required
• Confirm with the airline that boarding will be permitted without a visa as these conditions are subject to change

CIBTvisas recommends that all travellers check with their airline prior to departure that boarding will be permitted without a visa. There is no guarantee entry will be allowed.

Business Travel Requirements for a Malaysia Visa for Australian Citizens

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Malaysia Entry Requirements for Australian Citizens

Traveling from Australia to Malaysia? Our team at MY MDAC Go is here to help you understand the entry requirements and simplify the process.

As an Australian citizen, you enjoy the convenience of not requiring a visa for short visits to Malaysia. However, you need to get a Malaysian Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) for entry.

On this page, we break down the requirements and how to apply for this key travel document . We also outline the essential documents you need to travel to Malaysia from Australia and provide you with key embassy information.

What Documents Do Australian Citizens Need to Travel to Malaysia?

To travel to Malaysia, Australian travelers need the following documents:

• Valid Australian passport - Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry into Malaysia. It should contain at least 2 blank pages for stamps.
• Malaysian Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) - Required for all Australian citizens. This digital card streamlines your arrival and immigration process.
• Valid Malaysia visa (if applicable) - You do not need a visa for Malaysia for Australians for short stays
• Proof of sufficient funds - Evidence of enough money to cover your stay in Malaysia (e.g bank or credit card statement)
• Return or onward ticket - Confirmation of your return journey to Australia or an onward ticket to another destination.

Below, we outline the application process . We’ll also take a closer look at the visa requirements for Malaysia for Australians.

MDAC for Australians

MDAC is mandatory for all passengers arriving in Malaysia, including Australians . You only need to meet a few simple requirements to apply for an MDAC from Australia.

Once you make sure you meet the conditions, applying for the MDAC is straightforward :

• Access the simplified MDAC online application on the MY MDAC Go site.
• Complete the application form with the necessary personal, passport, travel, and accommodation details.
• Submit the form online before your departure to Malaysia.

This process simplifies your arrival, as you are able to use the automatic gate facilities on arrival . These are available at Airports 1 and 2 of Kuala Lumpur International.

Australian visitors who wish to utilize the auto gate facilities must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. Australians must have submitted the Malaysian Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) 3 days before arrival .

Note: that Australian passport holders who hold a long-term pass or permanent residency in Malaysia are not eligible for the auto gate function.

Malaysia Visa for Australians

Australian citizens enjoy visa-free entry to Malaysia for stays up to 90 days.

You can enter Malaysia as an Australia visa-free for tourism, transit, or business trips .

For longer stays, or other purposes such as to work or study, you will need to get one of the Malaysian visas for Australian citizens.

Australian citizens are not eligible for the online visa for Malaysia. To get a visa, you have to apply for an embassy visa from the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission in Australia .

This may be either:

The High Commission of Malaysia in Canberra

Address : 7 Perth Ave, Yarralumla, ACT 2600

The Malaysia Consulate General in Melbourne

Address : Level 1, 432 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004

The Malaysian Consulate General in Perth

Address : 252 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, WA 6000

The Malaysian Consulate General in Sydney

Address : 67 Victoria Rd, Bellevue Hill, NSW 2023

Australian Embassy in Malaysia

The Australian High Commission in Malaysia provides consular services to Australian citizens traveling or residing in Malaysia. It’s located in the capital, Kuala Lumpur .

Services include:

• Passport services and emergency documentation
• Consular assistance in case of emergencies
• Notarial services and assistance with legal matters
• Information and assistance for Australians considering moving to or living in Malaysia.

Address : 6 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur

Opening times : 8:30am to 4:30pm (Monday to Friday)

Note : Passport and notarial services are available with prior appointment only.

FAQs about Traveling to Malaysia from Australia

Are there any taxes for australians who want to travel to malaysia.

Yes, travelers to Malaysia are subject to a Tourism Tax of RM10 per room per night in any accommodation premises. This applies to all foreign tourists, including Australians.

Do Australians need health insurance to enter Malaysia?

Health insurance is not a mandatory requirement for entry into Malaysia from Australia. However, we highly recommend it.

Medical treatment in Malaysia can be costly. By having comprehensive health insurance, you ensure you're covered in case of any medical emergencies.

What are the Malaysia business travel requirements for Australians?

Australians do not require a visa for business travel for short visits up to 90 days.

However, it's essential to:

• Get the MDAC prior to arrival
• Have an Australian passport valid for at least 6 months
• Carry proof of the business visit purpose, such as an invitation letter from the company in Malaysia
• Have proof of sufficient funds for the stay
• Ensure a return or onward ticket is booked

For stays longer than 90 consecutive days , you will need to apply for a Malaysia business visa for Australians.

You don't need a visa for Malaysia if you have an Australian passport

You don't need a visa. You can travel to your destination for a limited stay. Be sure to check other entry requirements and how long you can stay for.

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Malaysia visa requirements for other passport holders.

Malaysia Visa for Australian

Australian citizens' visa requirements in malaysia:.

• Hold a machine-readable passport with two blank visa pages that is valid for at least six months at the time of entrance.
• Keep proof of sufficient finances on hand.
• Keep a copy of your onward and return flight tickets.
• Keep a record of the trip's purpose.
• Keep all of the documentation you'll need for your next trip on hand.
• If necessary, obtain a visa for your next location.
• Confirm with the airline that you will be able to board without a visa, as these restrictions may change.

READ ALSO: MALAYSIA STUDENT VISA APPLICATION FORM AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Work Visas in Malaysia: What are the Different Types?

• Employees with specified capabilities are issued with an Employment Pass. In Malaysia, it is typically granted for technical or managerial positions.
• Foreign nationals who will be employed for less than two years or earning less will be awarded a Temporary Employment Pass.
• Professional Visit Passes are provided to persons who are employed by a company in their home country but must go to Malaysia for work purposes for up to six months.

Procedure for Submitting an Application:

• The candidate must have a work offer letter from the sponsoring firm before filing for the permit.
• After that, fill out the online application form and upload all of the relevant documents.
• Pay the fee over the internet.
• After you complete the visa application process, you can check the status of your application online.
• All you have to do now is wait for your visa to arrive. 

Malaysian work licenses are typically provided for a term of six months to five years. It may, however, differ from the Employment term and depend on a variety of other factors.

READ ALSO: MALAYSIA VISA POLICY

Let's look at some of the most typical blunders that can lead to a Malaysia visa denial:

• One of the biggest reasons for your Visa for Malaysia from Australia rejection could be that you choose the wrong category for your visa application. Most nations have several types of visas, each with slightly different laws and requirements. We recognize that your trip may combine business and pleasure, but you must include a definite purpose on your visa application, such as tourism, business, or work. You will have spent your time and money crafting an application if you choose the wrong one.
• If you don't have enough money and resources to keep yourself afloat. Getting a visa and landing in Malaysia, or any other nation is merely the beginning of the journey. If you don't have enough money to maintain yourself and your family, no country will grant you a visa in the first place (even if not accompanying the main applicant).
• If the applicant's images submitted do not meet the requirements. It's blurry, and it's not a current photo or one with a white background. This will very certainly result in immediate visa rejection.
• If your passport isn't valid for another six months, the authorities are unlikely to grant you a Malaysia visa . The most prevalent reason for visa refusal is failure to comply with the validity condition.
• On a prior journey to Malaysia, you overstayed or presented fake documents, resulting in you being blacklisted from obtaining a Malaysia visa .
• Discrepancies in your visa application form, such as if your signature on the visa application does not match the one on your passport, or if you leave one or more segments blank, or if you make typographical errors in your name or passport number. Your application may be rejected as a result of these factors.
• If the scanned passport copies are not clear or blurry while applying online through the Malaysia Immigration portal, the application will be rejected. This is a common reason for visa rejection in Malaysia . 
• Current and/or previous behaviors of the applicant, such as drug or criminal activity.

READ ALSO: NIGHTLIFE IN MALAYSIA THE BEST PLACES THAT WILL MAKE YOUR HEART CHEERFUL

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Malaysia sees spike in Chinese interest in long-term visas after requirements simplified

• AseanPlus News

Wednesday, 11 Sep 2024

BEIJING/KUALA LUMPUR (SCMP): New simplified requirements for Malaysia’s long-term visa scheme have led to a surge of interest from China’s wealthy youth, with industry experts predicting even greater demand once the government resolves licensing issues.

There has been a deluge of inquiries from prospective Chinese participants keen on moving to Malaysia, said Eugene Lim of K-Konsult Taxation, which consults on the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa scheme. The programme now offers foreigners a five-year visa for a minimum buy-in of around US$300,000.

“Based on our own data that we collected, we have had over 1,000 inquiries just through TikTok and Douyin,” Lim said, referring to two hugely popular micro-video social media platforms owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance.

“A lot of younger people are planning to move and we are already handling quite a few requests for information. But applications are not yet open since licensing is not yet sorted out.”

Since April, MM2H agents have complained about a moratorium on the renewal of their operating licences as the government revamps the MM2H programme to narrow down the requirements, causing a delay in delivery to existing clients requiring visa renewals or new applications to the flagship scheme.

The governmnt finally announced a simplified MM2H system in June that places two key requirements for foreign nationals – fixed deposits and residential property purchases – under three different tiers: platinum, gold and silver.

The new rules impose a higher initial outlay for prospective participants, but remove the need to prove a minimum monthly overseas income and liquid assets of at least 1.5 million ringgit (US$317,000).

The silver tier, which requires participants to park US$150,000 in fixed deposits and buy a residential property worth at least 600,000 ringgit (US$126,600) in exchange for a five-year multiple entry visa, is the most attractive package among prospective clients, Lim said.

“Once the licensing is settled and applications open up, we can expect demand to go up by one or two times,” he said at the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) on Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur.

Demand decreases progressively with the price point increases of the upper tiers, Lim said. Gold tier applicants will have to provide US$500,000 in fixed deposits and purchase properties worth no less than 1 million ringgit and that requirement doubles when going up to platinum.

Still, interest remains strong as Chinese investors are keen on taking advantage of the business visa that comes with the platinum tier, he added.

Chinese nationals make up the lion’s share of MM2H participants, accounting for 24,765 pass holders or 44 per cent of the over 56,000 active participants, according to the government’s most recent figures released in March.

Just like for MM2H, there has also been increased interest in industrial land among Chinese investors seeking to expand their operations for international exports, according to Sidney Cheo, assistant general manager of Seri Pajam Development which is building a 523-acre industrial park in Negeri Sembilan state, just an hour’s drive from the capital.

“Just this month alone, about 50 per cent of the inquiries we received were from China ... demand is more than supply and we could really see it last year and this year,” Cheo said.

Malaysia has been making a hard pitch for Chinese investments and wealthy individuals since Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim took high office in late 2022.

Anwar made two trips to China last year and, in June, hosted Chinese Premier Li Qiang to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

During his speech launching the WCEC on Tuesday, Anwar said Malaysia could only benefit from tapping into China’s “economic vibrancy”.

“We believe that a stronger bond and relations and our comprehensive strategic partnership with China will help not only Malaysia but the region,” the prime minister said.

But others are not as sanguine about Malaysia’s prospects, especially if the government is not discerning about investments from and trade with China, whose companies have been accused of undercutting domestic small businesses with low prices.

“We used to have 44 local factories manufacturing face masks. After the pandemic, we are left with just four because the government allowed the flood of Chinese imports,” said Ang Kian You, whose factory in Johor is among the few survivors.

Despite his misgivings, Ang takes a pragmatic view.

He said his company, AKY Group, has for the past 20 years dealt heavily in Chinese imports, ranging from water filters to artisanal Chinese tea, and would likely continue to do so as China’s economic influence continues to grow.

The onus falls on Malaysia’s government, and businesses themselves, to make sure they cut deals that benefit them in the long term, Ang said.

“I’ve been in this business a long time and I can see the trend already ... as the east rises, the west’s sun will set,” he said.

- South China Morning Post

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