Overview
For nationalities that need a visa to enter Malaysia — including China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan, among others — the government's eVISA system lets you apply entirely online, without visiting an embassy or consulate. Effective 31 May 2024, Malaysia's Immigration Department discontinued its appointed visa-handling agent services in several countries and now directs all eVISA applicants to a single official portal. It's explicit: no third party is appointed as an agent for eVisa applications — the immigration department warns travelers to be vigilant about fake or illegal websites offering "assistance."
Visa categories
| Single Entry Visa (SEV) | For nationalities requiring a visa for each individual visit. |
|---|---|
| Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) | Applies to almost all non-visa-exempt nationalities (except Israel and North Korea), allowing repeated entries, each capped at a 30-day stay while the passport remains valid. |
| eNTRI | A simplified, shorter registration for eligible nationalities (including India and China) for short visits up to 15 days. |
Documents checklist
- Passport valid for more than 6 months upon entry to Malaysia
- Digital passport-style photo, meeting the portal's upload specification
- Scanned copy of your passport's bio-data page
- Valid email address for registration and confirmation
- Credit or debit card for online fee payment
- Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), completed separately closer to your travel date
Step-by-step application process
1. Check whether you're eligible for visa-free entry, eNTRI or eVISA
Review the current lists on imi.gov.my or the eVISA portal before applying — many nationalities don't need any visa at all.
2. Register as a new user on malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my
Do this while you're still outside Malaysia.
3. Log in and complete the application
Fill in personal, passport and travel details, choosing SEV or MEV as appropriate.
4. Upload your photo and documents
Attach your passport scan and photo as specified.
5. Pay online
Pay the eVISA fee through the portal's secure payment gateway.
6. Receive and print your eVISA
Once approved, download and print a copy to carry with your passport.
7. Complete the MDAC before you fly
Register your arrival details separately at the official MDAC portal, regardless of visa status.
Fees & processing time
| Processing time | Commonly cited at 3–5 business days; apply at least 3 weeks before departure to be safe |
|---|---|
| Fee | Displayed on the official portal by nationality and visa type — beware third-party sites charging well above this |
| Stay length | Up to 30 days per entry under MEV, subject to passport validity; up to 15 days under eNTRI where applicable |
Sources reviewed: malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my and imi.gov.my (Immigration Department of Malaysia), Malaysian High Commission/Consulate notices (Ottawa, Singapore, Vancouver), kln.gov.my (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia). Eligible-country lists, fees and processing times change — always confirm on the official portal before applying.