Applying for visa to Malaysia

Specific details

Applying for a visa to Malaysia isn't a cumbersome process, whether you're seeking a student visa to Malaysia, an educational visa to Malaysia, a study visa to Malaysia, or a tourism visa to Malaysia. Here's everything you need to know about the process:

Visa-Free Entry

Malaysia's popularity as a tourist destination is partly due to its visa-free policy that allows tourists to stay in the country for up to a month. All you need for entry is a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay, and a biometric scan of your fingerprints at customs. Sometimes, you may also be asked to present your return flight ticket and proof of financial stability - typically at least $500. Upon arrival, you fill out an immigration card in English, and your passport is stamped with the entry date and the date you must leave the country.

Visa-Run

If you wish to extend your stay beyond a month, you can opt for a "visa-run". This involves travelling to a neighboring country for a short period (a day or more) and then returning to Malaysia, which allows you another month's stay. Thailand, particularly its nearby city of Hyattay, is a popular choice for visa-runs. However, bear in mind that this tactic should be used sparingly to avoid attention from the authorities.

Extending Your Visa at the Immigration Office: For longer stays, you can apply for a visa extension at the immigration office before your visa-free period ends. If your reasons for wanting to stay longer are deemed valid, you will be granted a Special pass. However, this is not easily granted and is typically only offered once.

Overstaying

If you overstay your visa-free period, immediate contact with the immigration center is essential. Each day of delay attracts a fine of around $10, and overstaying by more than a month is considered illegal, attracting a hefty fine of $1000. You will need to present your return tickets at the center.

Entry Denials

Entry to Malaysia is rarely denied, but reasons for refusal could include pregnancy beyond 6 months (unless you're in transit and staying for less than 3 days), absence of an official stamp from the departing country, or if you have two foreign passports and the one you present at the Malaysian border lacks an exit stamp from your departure country.

Applying for a Visa to Malaysia: If you're planning on staying in Malaysia for more than a month, you need to apply for a visa to Malaysia at the Malaysian embassy. The documents required are:

Valid passport
Visa application form filled out in English
Copy of the passport
Round-trip plane tickets
Two color photos
Confirmation of accommodation

For students seeking a student visa to Malaysia, you need an invitation from a Malaysian university and evidence of your financial stability. You will also need to provide a range of documents, including your passport, photos, the university's invitation to study, return tickets, educational certificates, and permission to enter Malaysia from the authorities.

For those seeking work visas, you can enter Malaysia visa-free and then apply for a work permit and appropriate visa. Your employer will handle all paperwork, and will also cover any costs associated with your visa application.

It's always best to prepare your documentation well in advance of your trip. Processing and issuing a visa can take anywhere from three to 14 business days. Regardless of the type of visa you seek, remember that working in Malaysia without the proper visa is a serious offense, and could land you in significant trouble with the authorities.

If you're planning a short trip to Malaysia purely for tourism and your stay does not exceed a month, the process is rather simple. Upon reaching customs control, all you need to do is present your passport and provide your fingerprints via a special scanner. In some instances, you might also be asked to display a return ticket and offer proof of your financial stability. This usually means showing at least $500 to assure customs officers that you're in Malaysia for a brief holiday and have plans to return home.

It's important to note that your passport needs to be valid for a minimum of six months beyond your intended return date.

Upon entry, every visitor is required to fill out a specific immigration card in English. A stamp will then be placed in your passport indicating the date of your entry into Malaysia and the date by which you are expected to depart the country. It's a relatively smooth process for those applying for a tourism visa to Malaysia.

For students

To apply for a Student visa to Malaysia, you first need to secure an invitation and enrolment from one of the Malaysian universities. It's crucial to prove your financial stability, demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to cover your education, accommodation, and meals throughout your stay. If you meet all these requirements, you can travel to the country under its visa-free scheme. Once there, you can apply for your Student visa by contacting your university's department.

The necessary documents for a student visa include:

Your passport (with at least six months' validity)
Two photographs
Two copies of an application form completed in English
An invitation from your university
Confirmed return flight tickets (with a fixed date)
Certificates, credentials, and diplomas that meet international educational standards
An authorization to enter Malaysia from the authorities.

A Malaysian study visa is usually multiple-entry and is generally issued for a duration of 3-12 months. The process may seem tedious, but obtaining an Educational visa to Malaysia is a significant step towards realizing your academic goals.

For workers and specialists

The process for obtaining a work visa to Malaysia is relatively straightforward: you can initially enter the country under the visa-free scheme, and once there, you can apply for a work permit and the corresponding visa. The Immigration Department usually handles this process. Your employer is responsible for submitting all the necessary documents and covering the expenses and fees associated with the visa application.

The documents required include:

Your passport
An employment contract
Three passport-sized photographs (either in color or black and white)

It's important to remember that working in Malaysia without the proper visa can lead to severe penalties from the authorities. So, ensure you have your visa in hand before you commence your professional pursuits.

Visa run

It's not unusual for tourists in Malaysia to decide they want to extend their vacation beyond a month, even if they hadn't planned on it initially. If this happens, and if you prefer not to fly back home only to return again, you can utilize what's called a "visa run." This is a legal, albeit somewhat crafty, strategy to extend your stay in the country.

A visa run requires you to leave Malaysia and visit another country for a minimum period (even just for a day), then return to Malaysia. A favorite destination for such trips is nearby Thailand, with the closest city being Hat Yai, easily accessible by ferry, train, or other public transportation due to its proximity.

Upon re-entering Malaysia, you'll receive a new entry stamp on your passport, granting you another month-long stay. But be warned: this method should be used sparingly. Using it more than twice consecutively may raise eyebrows among the authorities and potentially cause complications with your visa to Malaysia.

How to renew your visa through the immigration office?

If you're intending to stay in Malaysia for an extended period, it's wise to get in touch with the official immigration office before the end of your visa-free duration. If the immigration officer is convinced by your reasons for wanting to prolong your stay, they might extend your visa-free stay and provide you with a Special Pass. However, be aware that the authorities are generally hesitant to grant such extensions, and it's likely that you'll only be permitted to extend once.

If you've already used up your 30-day visa-free allowance but wish to remain in Malaysia, make sure to immediately reach out to the immigration center. Each day you overstay, you'll be fined approximately $10. If you're overdue on your departure by more than a month, it's viewed as an illegal stay, and the fine increases to roughly $1,000. Be prepared to present your return tickets at the immigration center!

Refusal of entry

Entry into Malaysia may be denied for a select few individuals, and there can be a variety of reasons for such a refusal:

For women, being over six months pregnant can result in a denial of entry. However, an exception can be made if you are merely transiting through Malaysia and won't stay longer than three days.
If your passport doesn't have an official exit stamp from your departing country.
If you carry two passports, and the one you present at the Malaysian border doesn't contain the exit stamp from your departing country.

The required documents include:

A valid passport
An application form filled out in English
A copy of your passport
Plane tickets (preferably round-trip as return tickets are mandatory)
Two color photographs
Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay (a reservation at a hotel, hostel, or an invitation from a resident or employer in Malaysia).

It's advisable to prepare these documents ahead of time since the visa issuance process can take up to 14 business days; the minimum duration is 3 days. A visa to Malaysia typically lasts for 2 or 4 months and can be extended for a similar period. Children under 16 can be included on your visa; if you are traveling by invitation from a Malaysian resident, the children must be specified in the invitation.

The cost for a visa to Malaysia is $10. In certain cases (like a charter flight), you might also need to pay a fuel surcharge of $12 (on regular flights, this fee is usually incorporated into the ticket price, so there won't be any additional charges).

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