Malaysia Visa 2026
All visas for living, working, studying or retiring in Malaysia — procedures, timelines, costs and 2026 expert advice.
Getting a Malaysia visa in 2026 is easier than it looks — as long as you pick the right pathway. Malaysia grants visa-free entry to 60+ nationalities, including the European Union, UK, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan (90 days), plus Chinese and Indian nationals (30 days, temporary measure until 31 December 2026). All travellers except residents and Singapore citizens must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within 3 days before arrival. To settle, work, study or invest, 11 main permits cover every profile: from the Employment Pass for employees to MM2H for retirees, and the DE Rantau Nomad Pass for digital nomads. This guide details every visa, its 2026 conditions, costs and timelines.
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Visa Simulator
The 11 Malaysia visas in 2026
Each dossier details conditions, required documents and costs.
MM2H Guide - Complete Reference
Complete MM2H reference guide: eligibility, application steps and detailed costs per tier.
View dossier →DE Rantau Nomad Pass
The digital nomad visa: USD 24,000 minimum annual income and the certified DE Rantau hub ecosystem.
View dossier →Entrepreneur Pass (MTEP)
The entrepreneur visa: company setup, scaling milestones and KPI audits.
View dossier →Guardian Pass
For parents accompanying international students. RM 10,000 bond and school attendance rules.
View dossier →Maid Pass (PLKS)
The domestic worker permit. SPIKPA schemes and 2026 Employment Act protections.
View dossier →Professional Visit Pass (PVP)
For short assignments: consultants, trainers and technical experts. 12-month limit with company sponsorship.
View dossier →Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T)
The talent visa: employer independence and the fast-track to Permanent Residency.
View dossier →Student Pass
The study permit for Malaysian institutions. Post-graduate compliance: i-Kad and switching to work permits.
View dossier →Dependant Pass (DP)
For dependants of work permit holders: spouse and children. Age-out rules and domestic staff sponsorship.
View dossier →Employment Pass (EP)
The corporate work permit: EP Categories I, II & III, the Xpats Gateway portal and tax residency planning.
View dossier →Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) - 2024 Tiers
Malaysia's long-term residence programme. Silver, Gold & Platinum tiers: RM 500k–5M deposits, property purchase rules and the 90-day stay rule.
View dossier →Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP)
Long-term stay for spouses of Malaysian citizens and retirees. Work endorsements and the path to residency.
View dossier →Visa comparison — validity periods
| Visa | Validity |
|---|---|
| Employment Pass (EP) | 1–5 years (renewable) |
| Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) - 2024 Tiers | 5–10 years |
| DE Rantau Nomad Pass | 3–12 months (renewable) |
| Professional Visit Pass (PVP) | Up to 12 months |
| Dependant Pass (DP) | Aligned with main permit |
| Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP) | 1 year (renewable) |
| Student Pass | 1 year (renewable) |
| Guardian Pass | Aligned with student pass |
| Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) | 2 years (renewable) |
| Maid Pass (PLKS) | 12–24 months |
| Entrepreneur Pass (MTEP) | 1–2 years |
Detailed costs and timelines in each dossier. Always verify official fees on imi.gov.my.
Malaysia Visa 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to enter Malaysia?
Citizens of 60+ countries (EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan…) get visa-free entry for 90 days. China and India are exempt for 30 days (temporary measure until 31 December 2026). Other nationalities must apply for an e-Visa at malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my.
What is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)?
All travellers — except Singapore citizens, diplomatic passport holders and residents — must complete the MDAC online for free, within 3 days before arrival. Declare on the official site imigresen-online.imi.gov.my. Beware of fraudulent websites impersonating the official portal.
Which visa is fastest to get?
For short stays, visa-free entry (90 days) requires no prior application if you are eligible. The Professional Visit Pass (PVP) and DE Rantau Nomad Pass are usually processed within weeks. The Employment Pass via the Xpats Gateway portal takes 2–6 weeks on average depending on category.
How much does a Malaysian work visa cost?
Government fees vary by visa: roughly RM 500–2,000 for the Employment Pass depending on category, RM 1,000+ for DE Rantau, and far larger deposits for MM2H (RM 500k–5M depending on tier). Application and visa fees are usually paid by the employer for the EP.
Can I stay longer than 90 days in Malaysia?
Yes, but not by chaining tourist entries: Chinese nationals are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. For a longer stay, you need the right permit: MM2H (retirement), Employment Pass (work), Student Pass (studies), LTSVP (spouse of citizen) or DE Rantau (digital nomad).
How do I apply for a Malaysia visa online?
The e-Visa is applied for on the official portal malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my (for eligible nationalities). The Employment Pass and other work permits go through the Xpats Gateway immigration portal (esd.imi.gov.my). For MM2H, applications are filed through an approved agent or the Tourism Ministry's one-stop centre.
Legal disclaimer: The information provided is optimised for the 2026 administrative cycle. Government policies are subject to rapid change. Always verify current requirements with the Malaysian Immigration Department (imi.gov.my) before filing an application.