Everything You Need To Know About A Malaysia Visa

malaysia-visa-images British citizens traveling to Malaysia for tourism purposes do not need a visa to visit the country. Holders of British Citizen passports can stay in the nation for a maximum span of 3 months without a visa.

However, if you are planning to travel to Malaysia for activities other than vacations or leisure or decide to stay there for more than 90 days, you might have to apply for a visa in advance through theMalaysian High Commission in London.

In order to avail the visa-exemption facility, you need to own a British Citizen passport that is valid for at least six months and has a minimum of two blank pages.

Additionally, you are advised to carry proof of sufficient funds and evidence of onward travel to another country or return journey to the UK.

Note: The Malaysian authorities impose heavy penalties when you overstay your visa or violate the terms of entry. These strict measures are in place to put a stop to illegal immigration. So, if you fail to follow any of these rules, you can be detained, fined, deported, and blacklisted.

Entry requirements for foreigners seeking to visit Malaysia

If you are a non-British citizen residing in the UK, you might need a visa to travel to Malaysia. Malaysian entry visas are generally issued in the following categories:

Single entry visa
Multiple entry visa
Transit visa

Single entry visa

A single-entry visa can be obtained if you are planning to travel to Malaysia for purposes related to social visits. This short-term visa allows you to enter the country once during its validity period, which is usually 3 months.

You cannot extend your stay in Malaysia on a single entry visa. However, you may be granted an extension under the special consideration clause; for instance, when you fall sick, meet with an accident, or there is political unrest/war in your home country. For this purpose, you need to present the required proof and also submit a confirmed flight ticket back to the UK.

When applying for a visa extension, you should lodge the application in person and should carry your passport. You need to fill Form IMM. 55 and present return tickets or a visa and ticket to a third country.

Multiple entry visa

A multiple entry visa is issued to foreigners entering Malaysia for business activities or government-to-government matters. It allows multiple entries into the country within the validity period, which can vary between 3 to 12 months from the issue date. You can use this visa to stay in Malaysia for 30 days per visit and you cannot extend your stay period.

Note: Indian and Chinese citizens can apply for a multiple entry visa even if they travel to Malaysia for social visits.

In order to apply for a multiple entry visa, travelers must be able to present proof of sufficient funds and evidence of return or onward travel. Additionally, tour groups cannot apply for a multiple entry visa.

Transit visa

Transit visa is required only when foreign nationals enter Malaysia while transiting to other countries. If the traveler does not leave the airport premises and continues his/her journey to the next destination with the same flight, then he/she does not need a transit visa.

Visa application process

If you need to apply for a visa through the Malaysian Representative Office or at the Embassy or British High Commissioner's Office, you will require the following documents:

A visa application form, fully completed and signed by the applicant
An original and a copy of the biodata + photo pages of the passport, which has a minimum validity of 6 months and at least 2 unused pages
1 recent, coloured passport size photograph
Proof of valid immigration status in the UK, which can be a long-term visa or a residence permit
3 months’ bank statements, with the last month credit showing above GBP 600. Otherwise, you can also submit traveler’s cheque worth a minimum of GBP600+. You cannot display evidence of funds by showing cash in hand
Flight itinerary that contains the arrival and departure dates from Malaysia
Proof of accommodation in the form of hotel reservation
Employed applicants need to present a letter from their employer granting leave of absence for the specific period
Self-employed travelers can submit evidence of business activities and financial status in the form of a letter from HM Revenue that details tax contributions. They also need to share proof of company registration. This can be accompanied by a letter from the accountant
Students are required to submit a letter from their school/college/university, describing their academic details
Unemployed or dependent applicants can submit ID card, marriage certificate or birth certificate, long-term visa or residence permit, and an invitation letter from their sponsor
Visa fees: £10.00 for regular single entry visas and £ 20.00 for regular multiple entry visas
Yellow fever vaccination is required if the applicant holds a passport from any of these nations: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Colombia, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Guyana, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda and Venezuela

Travel to Peninsular Malaysia

If your itinerary includes travel to Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (also called Malaysian Borneo, which consists of the states of Sabah and Sarawak), you have to ensure that you carry your passport. You will need a separate entry stamp in East Malaysia at your first point of arrival.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

The government of Malaysia accepts UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) only at points of exit.

However, in addition, you need to secure a special exit pass from Malaysian Immigration prior to your departure date.

Again, if you use an ETD to enter or transit through Malaysia, you need to be sure of the current entry requirements by contacting the Malaysian Embassy or High Commission.