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Malaysia

Every Malaysia visa route, explained

Malaysia has a route for every purpose — short visits (visa-free Social Visit Pass or eVISA, with the MDAC), plus transit, study, work, family and the MM2H long-stay programme. Routes with verified step-by-step guides link straight to them; the rest link to the Malaysian Immigration Department.

The routes

Visit & tourism

Transit

Transit Pass

For travellers transiting through Malaysia to a third country without leaving the international transit area, or who need a short transit entry.

Up to 120 hours

official page →

Study

Student Pass

For foreign nationals enrolled at a recognised Malaysian school, college or university, endorsed via Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS).

  • Students admitted to a registered Malaysian institution

official page →

Work & business

Employment Pass

For skilled foreign professionals taking up employment in Malaysia, sponsored by an approved employer (Categories I–III by salary and contract).

  • Skilled professionals, managers and technical staff with a Malaysian employer

official page →

Family & residence

Long-Term Social Visit Pass (family)

For spouses, children and dependants of Malaysian citizens, permanent residents or holders of long-term passes such as the Employment Pass.

  • Spouses and dependants of citizens, residents or pass holders

official page →

Other routes

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)

Long-stay residence programme (Silver, Gold, Platinum and SEZ/SFZ tiers) for retirees, high-income individuals and qualified foreigners, requiring a fixed deposit and approved property purchase.

5 to 20 years, renewable, depending on tier

official page →

DE Rantau Nomad Pass

MDEC-run professional visit pass letting foreign digital nomads live in Malaysia while working remotely for non-Malaysian employers or clients.

  • Remote workers / location-independent professionals employed or contracting outside Malaysia
Up to 12 months, renewable for a further 12 months

5 verified step-by-step guides

Verified step-by-step guides

Grounded on official sources — documents, fees, timeline, every fact dated and linked.

🇦🇺 AustraliaMalaysiaDE Rantau Nomad Pass
Australian citizens can apply for Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass — a professional visit pass for remote workers — online via MDEC, showing an overseas employment contract and qualifying income.
🇧🇩 BangladeshMalaysiaVisit — eVISA
Bangladeshi citizens need a Malaysia eVISA — apply online on the official portal, then submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
🇧🇹 BhutanMalaysiaVisit — eVISA
Bhutanese citizens need a Malaysia eVISA — apply online on the official portal, then submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
🇨🇦 CanadaMalaysiaDE Rantau Nomad Pass
Canadian citizens can apply for Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass — a professional visit pass for remote workers — online via MDEC, showing an overseas employment contract and qualifying income.
🇨🇴 ColombiaMalaysiaVisit — eVISA
Colombian citizens need a Malaysia eVISA — apply online on the official portal, then submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
🇩🇪 GermanyMalaysiaDE Rantau Nomad Pass
German citizens can apply for Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass — a professional visit pass for remote workers — online via MDEC, showing an overseas employment contract and qualifying income.
🇬🇧 United KingdomMalaysiaDE Rantau Nomad Pass
British citizens can apply for Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass — a professional visit pass for remote workers — online via MDEC, showing an overseas employment contract and qualifying income.
🇬🇭 GhanaMalaysiaVisit — eVISA
Ghanaian citizens need a Malaysia eVISA — apply online on the official portal, then submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
🇱🇰 Sri LankaMalaysiaVisit — eVISA
Sri Lankan citizens need a Malaysia eVISA — apply online on the official portal, then submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
🇲🇲 MyanmarMalaysiaVisit — eVISA
Myanmar citizens need a Malaysia eVISA — apply online on the official portal, then submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
🇳🇬 NigeriaMalaysiaVisit — eVISA
Nigerian citizens need a Malaysia eVISA — apply online on the official portal, then submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
🇳🇵 NepalMalaysiaVisit — eVISA
Nepali citizens need a Malaysia eVISA — apply online on the official portal, then submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
🇵🇰 PakistanMalaysiaVisit — eVISA
Pakistani citizens need a Malaysia eVISA — apply online on the official portal, then submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
🇷🇸 SerbiaMalaysiaVisit — eVISA
Serbian citizens need a Malaysia eVISA — apply online on the official portal, then submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival.
🇺🇸 United StatesMalaysiaDE Rantau Nomad Pass
American citizens can apply for Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass — a professional visit pass for remote workers — online via MDEC, showing an overseas employment contract and qualifying income.