Most UAE residents can visit Malaysia without a visa, because Malaysia requires one from only about 30 countries. Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Nepali passport holders are on the Immigration Department’s visa-required list. Indian passport holders are on it too, but are visa-exempt until 31 December 2026. Emirati, Filipino, Egyptian, GCC, UK and US passport holders are not on the list. If you do need a visa, you apply online through Malaysia’s eVISA portal, and the government visa fee for most nationalities is RM 20.
This guide covers who needs a visa, the Indian exemption and its end date, the fee by nationality, how to apply, and the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card every visitor must complete.
Key Takeaways
- Malaysia’s visa rules depend on your passport. A UAE residence visa does not change them.
- Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia and about 20 other countries need a visa.
- India is on the visa-required list, but Indian citizens are visa-exempt until 31 December 2026.
- Emirati, Filipino, Egyptian, Jordanian, Lebanese, GCC, UK, US and EU passport holders do not need a visa for a visit.
- The government visa fee is RM 20 for most nationalities, RM 15 for Sri Lanka and RM 50 for India.
- Visas are applied for online through the eVISA portal, malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my.
- Nationals of some African countries on the list may enter Malaysia by air only.
- Visitors must also complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before arriving.
Do You Need a Visa for Malaysia?
Malaysia publishes a single list of countries whose citizens must apply for a visa. If your passport is not on it, you do not need a visa for a social visit. These are the countries on the Immigration Department of Malaysia’s list:
| Region | Passports that need a Malaysia visa |
|---|---|
| South Asia | Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and India (exempt until 31 December 2026) |
| Africa (entry by air only) | Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Congo Republic, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda |
| Europe and the Americas | Serbia, Montenegro, Colombia |
The Immigration Department marks the African countries above as allowed to enter by air only. Afghan nationals must get a visa approval letter before applying. A visa is also required for some travel documents, including a Certificate of Identity and a Titre de Voyage.
Common UAE expat nationalities at a glance
| Passport | Visa for a visit? |
|---|---|
| UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman | No |
| Philippines, Indonesia and other ASEAN members (except Myanmar) | No, for stays under 1 month |
| Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Morocco | No |
| UK, US, Canada, Australia, EU countries, South Africa, Kenya | No |
| India | No, until 31 December 2026 |
| Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia | Yes |
For ASEAN nationals, the Immigration Department says no visa is needed for a stay of less than 1 month, except for Myanmar. Longer stays need a visa, except for Brunei and Singapore nationals. Visa-free visitors are still examined at the border, and the officer decides how long you may stay.
Indian Passport Holders: The Exemption Ends 31 December 2026
India remains on Malaysia’s visa-required list, but Indian citizens are visa-exempt until 31 December 2026. The Immigration Department’s list gives that date. If you plan a trip for early 2027, check the list again before you book. Unless Malaysia extends the exemption, you will need a visa, and the government fee for Indian citizens is RM 50.
The Immigration Department’s older eNTRI page for Indian nationals describes a registration scheme that ran from 2017 to 2018. It was replaced by the current exemption.
Visa Fees by Nationality
| Passport | Single or multiple entry visa | Transit visa |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | RM 20.00 | RM 20.00 |
| Bangladesh | RM 20.00 | RM 20.00 |
| Nepal | RM 20.00 | RM 20.00 |
| Sri Lanka | RM 15.00 | RM 15.00 |
| India (if the exemption ends) | RM 50.00 | RM 50.00 |
| Countries not listed separately | RM 20.00 | RM 20.00 |
These are the government fees on the Immigration Department’s visa fees page. The eVISA portal may add its own processing charge, which is shown when you pay and was not checked for this guide.
How to Apply for a Malaysia eVISA
- Register on the eVISA portal at malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my as an individual. The portal signs you in with a one-time password sent to your email.
- Complete the application and upload the documents the portal asks for. These typically include your passport data page, a photo, your return flight booking and your accommodation details.
- Pay online and wait for the decision by email.
- Print your eVISA and carry it with your passport.
For problems during the application, the Immigration Department points applicants to the portal’s 24/7 Live Chat Support. Visas for work, study or other long-term purposes go through a separate Visa With Reference (VDR) process with a sponsor in Malaysia.
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)
Register your arrival online, whether or not you need a visa. The MDAC portal requires foreign visitors to submit the card before arriving at KLIA, KLIA2 and other gazetted international checkpoints. Visitors from Australia, Brunei, Germany, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United States and the United Kingdom are listed as eligible to use the Malaysian autogates. Register on the official portal rather than a third-party site that charges a fee.
Two other entry rules can catch UAE residents out:
- Yellow fever: travelers from countries with yellow fever risk must show a vaccination certificate on arrival. The Ministry of Health lists the countries.
- Cash: the MDAC portal reminds travelers that cash or bearer instruments above the equivalent of USD 10,000 must be declared to customs.
Before You Travel
- Make sure nothing in the UAE stops you leaving by checking your UAE travel ban status online.
- Combining Malaysia with its neighbors? See our guides to the Singapore visa for UAE residents and the Thailand visa for UAE residents.
- Malaysians living in the UAE have different questions about foreign-income tax at home, covered in our guide for Malaysians in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UAE residents need a visa for Malaysia?
Only if their passport is on Malaysia’s visa-required list. A UAE residence visa does not change whether you need one.
Do Indians in Dubai need a visa for Malaysia?
Not until 31 December 2026. India is on the visa-required list, but the Immigration Department exempts Indian citizens until that date.
Do Pakistanis in the UAE need a visa for Malaysia?
Yes. Pakistan is on the visa-required list. Pakistani passport holders apply through the eVISA portal, and the government visa fee is RM 20.
Do Filipinos in the UAE need a Malaysia visa?
No, for stays of less than 1 month. ASEAN nationals except Myanmar do not need a visa for short stays.
Do Emiratis need a visa for Malaysia?
No. The UAE is not on Malaysia’s visa-required list, so Emirati passport holders can visit without a visa.
How much is a Malaysia visa from Dubai?
The government visa fee is RM 20 for most nationalities, RM 15 for Sri Lankan citizens and RM 50 for Indian citizens. The eVISA portal may add a processing charge.
Do Egyptians in the UAE need a visa for Malaysia?
No. Egypt is not on Malaysia’s visa-required list, so Egyptian passport holders can visit without a visa.
What is the MDAC?
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, an online arrival registration that foreign visitors submit on the Immigration Department’s portal before arriving in Malaysia.
Official Sources
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: Visa Requirement by Country
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: Visa Fees
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: eVISA portal
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: eNTRI for Indian Nationals (historical)
Visa list, the Indian exemption date, fees and MDAC rules checked on the Immigration Department of Malaysia websites in October 2026. The eVISA portal’s processing charge, its document list and the length of visa-free stays for non-ASEAN nationals were not published on the pages checked.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Malaysian visa rules and fees are set by the Government of Malaysia and are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the relevant official authority before proceeding with any application or transaction.
