Do I need a visa to visit Malaysia from the UK: Entry guide

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Whether you’re headed to the bustling capital city of Kuala Lumpur or deep into the rainforest, there are some logistics to sort out first. This comprehensive guide breaks down the visa and entry requirements for the Southeast Asian country of Malaysia.

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Do I need a visa to visit Malaysia from the UK?

No. British citizens travelling from the UK can enter Malaysia without a visa for stays of up to 90 days, whether visiting for tourism, short business activities, medical treatment or a social visit.¹

You’ll need a visa if you plan to work or study - or stay longer than 90 days.

Non-British passport holders travelling from the UK may also need a visa depending on their nationality.

Entry Requirements for Malaysia

Since 1 January 2024, all foreign visitors - UK citizens included - have been required to complete a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), and submit it within three days before arriving.²

Your passport will need to be valid for at least six months from the date when you arrive in Malaysia.

If you’re coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, you’ll need a certificate proving that you’ve been vaccinated.

There are strict rules surrounding the goods you can bring into Malaysia. If you are unsure about an item, including prescription drugs, be sure to declare it at customs.³

Types of visas available^4,5

A tourist entry/social visit pass is automatically granted to UK citizens once they’ve filled out an MDAC and been admitted into the country. It allows for tourism activities for up to 90 days, as well as attending business meetings, conferences or medical tourism.

There are also many different types of visas available for British citizens who’d like to stay longer than 90 days, or want to study or work - including remotely as a ‘digital nomad’ - while in Malaysia.

Multiple-Entry Visa (MEV)⁴

This visa allows holders to enter and exit the country multiple times within its validity period (often three to 12 months). It’s useful for frequent business or family travellers.

Student Pass

Required for foreigners enrolling in Malaysian universities, colleges, language institutes or vocational programmes. The admitting institution typically applies on the student’s behalf.

Professional Visit Pass (PVP)

Designed for short-term professional assignments such as consultancy work, training, technical support, internships or exhibitions.

Employment Pass (EP)

The EP is the main long-term work authorisation for foreign nationals employed by Malaysian companies, with a validity of one to five years.

Short-Term Work Pass

Used for urgent or short-duration work that doesn’t justify a full EP — for example emergency technical repairs or brief project involvement.

DE Rantau Digital Nomad Pass⁶

Also known as the Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa, this pass allows remote work for a non-Malaysian company for between 3 months and one year, renewable up to a year.

The following chart gives an overview of all of the options:

How to apply for a visa

Tourist stays don’t require a visa, but UK travellers are required to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before entering the country. You’ll need to:

• Fill out the MDAC online within 3 days of arrival
• Show passport (6+ months validity)
• Receive a Social Visit Pass stamp on arrival (normally valid up to 90 days)

Most longer-stay visas for Malaysia need to be applied for online or through a Malaysian embassy/consulate, such as the High Commission of Malaysia in London, depending on the visa type.⁵

Work-related passes like the Employment Pass, Professional Visit Pass, or Short-Term Work Pass are typically employer-led, meaning the Malaysian company submits the application on the applicant’s behalf.

Other visas, such as the DE Rantau Digital Nomad Pass or Multiple-Entry Visa (MEV), can be applied for directly online, with applicants uploading documents, paying the fee, and receiving approval before travelling.

How much do the visas cost?

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is completely free of charge and needs to be completed on the official Malaysian Immigration Department website. Be wary of third-party sites claiming you need to pay a fee.²

Other visa fees vary widely, depending on the type of visa, how you apply, and whether your employer or school needs to handle parts of the process.

It’s best to check the latest costs directly with the Malaysian embassy, your visa-processing channel (commonly VFS global in the UK), or the organisation sponsoring your stay.

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British citizens don’t need a visa for visiting Malaysia for tourism, nor for business or medical reasons, for up to a 90-day stay. A Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) will need to be submitted within 72 hours of arrival.

However, if you’re planning on working, studying or staying longer in the country, there are several visa options at your disposal which can easily be applied for in advance of arrival.

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FAQs

Do UK citizens need a visa to visit Malaysia?

UK citizens don’t need a visa to visit Malaysia for less than 90 days, or for purposes other than tourism or short business purposes.

Do I need a visa to visit Malaysia for medical tourism?

No, unlike in some other countries, UK citizens can undergo and recover from medical procedures in Malaysia - as long as this fits into a 90-day window of time.

Are any vaccinations required for travel to Malaysia?

Unless you are coming from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, there are no required vaccines for Malaysia. However, it’s recommended that travellers are up to date on Hepatitis A and Tetanus vaccination, and also consider vaccines such as Dengue and Rabies depending on where in the country they will be travelling.⁷

Where can I apply for a multiple-entry visa in the UK?

In the UK, applicants for a Malaysia multiple-entry visa - which grants multiple visits to the country within up to a 12 month period - typically apply through the Malaysia High Commission in London. As the main official Malaysian diplomatic mission for the UK, they are usually the starting point for other types of visas as well.

Sources used for this article:

Sources checked on 3-December-2025