Visa-Free Social Visit Pass
Ninety days visa-free for most Western passports, no extension.
Visa-Free Social Visit Pass
Malaysia grants generous visa-free entry: 90 days for most European, North American and Oceanian passports, which is longer than nearly every country in the region. It is a social visit pass, so working is not permitted, and it generally cannot be extended, meaning a border run when it expires. For trips up to three months it is the simplest option available anywhere in Southeast Asia.
At a glance
Initial stay
90 days
Default; varies by passport
Entries
Multiple
Application fee
Free
Apply
No application
Who can apply
55 nationalities are on the eligible list. Anyone not listed applies through a different route.
Eligible passports (55)
Stay length by passport
Most passports get 90 days. 8 nationalities get a different allowance — check yours before booking.
Requirements
- Passport eligible for visa-free entryRequiredMost Western, ASEAN and Gulf passports get 90 days. Some get 30, and a few need a visa in advance.
- Stay of 90 days or lessRequiredThe social visit pass is not normally extendable, so plan to leave or switch to DE Rantau before it expires.
- Passport valid for six monthsRequiredSix months of validity from arrival is required.
- Malaysia Digital Arrival CardInfoComplete the free MDAC online within three days before arrival. Only the official imigresen-online.imi.gov.my site is legitimate.
- Not a work permitInfoThe social visit pass does not permit work. DE Rantau is the legitimate route for remote workers.
Documents to prepare
- Passport with six months validity
- Completed Malaysia Digital Arrival Card
- Onward or return ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds if asked
How to apply
Last verified 2026-07-27
File the MDAC
~1 dayComplete the digital arrival card online within three days before arrival.
Arrive and get stamped
~1 dayImmigration issues the social visit pass on arrival. Check the number of days written on the stamp.
Extending the stay
Extendable
No
Extensions of the social visit pass are rarely granted. In practice people leave and re-enter, or move to DE Rantau.
Tax and health
Tax
Days count toward the 182-day residency threshold regardless of the pass you hold.
Insurance
Not required. Not required for entry.
Healthcare
None required.
Immigration and tax rules change without notice and depend on your nationality and circumstances. Confirm with the official source below or a qualified adviser before acting on anything here.
Good to know
- The 90-day allowance is the most generous in Southeast Asia and covers a full winter season
- Singapore is close enough that a reset trip costs very little from KL or Johor Bahru
- Repeated back-to-back entries with short gaps attract questions at the border
- The pass length is at the officer's discretion and can be shorter than the maximum
Official source
medium confidenceOther ways into Malaysia