Visitor & short-stay visas
Malaysian Transit Visa
For foreign nationals passing through Malaysia en route to another country.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
Could not verify from official IMI sources: the transit visa's maximum stay / permitted duration, validity period, and number of entries are not published on imi.gov.my or the MYVISA portal. These figures are described in general terms only and left unstated rather than invented.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Malaysia government website before you apply.
- Official name
- Transit Visa
- Route type
- Visitor / transit visa
- Purpose
- Passing through Malaysia to another country
- Not required when
- Remaining airside and continuing on the same/connecting flight
- Cost
- Varies by nationality — from RM0.50 up to RM30; nationalities not listed in the fee table pay RM20
- Transit visa fee band published on the IMI Visa Fees page.
- Where to apply
- A Malaysian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate General abroad, or online through the MYVISA (eVISA) system
- The MYVISA/eVISA facility has been extended to all visa-required nationalities.
- Maximum stay
- Intended for a short stopover to continue onward travel; IMI does not publish a fixed maximum-stay figure for the transit visa
- Duration is not stated on the official transit visa page.
- Airside transit
- No transit visa needed if you stay within the airport premises and continue to your next destination on the same flight
Who it is for
- Visa-required nationals transiting Malaysia to reach a third country
- Travellers who will leave the airport transit area during a stopover
Requirements
- Valid passport
- Confirmed onward ticket to the final destination
- Any visa required for the onward destination
How to apply
- Apply through the official eVISA portal or a Malaysian mission as required for your nationality
- No visa is needed if you stay airside and do not clear immigration
Documents you may need
- A passport valid for onward travel
- A confirmed onward ticket to your final destination
- Any entry visa required by the onward (final) destination country
- Your Visa With Reference (VDR) approval letter, where a VDR was required
Frequently asked questions
No. The Malaysian Immigration Department states that foreign nationals in transit who do not leave the airport premises and who continue to their next destination on the same flight do not require a transit visa. A transit visa is only for visa-required nationals who will pass through Malaysia on the way to a third country and, typically, leave the transit area.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.
Related Malaysian visas
- SHORT STAYVISA-FREETOURISM OR BUSINESSVisa-Free Social Visit PassFor nationals of many countries who can enter without a visa for tourism, family visits or business meetings in Malaysia.View visa details
- SHORT STAYSINGLE ENTRYONLINEeVISA (Single Entry Visa)An online single-entry visa for nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia for a social visit.View visa details
- SHORT STAYMULTIPLE ENTRYBUSINESS OR GOVERNMENTMultiple Entry VisaAllows multiple journeys into Malaysia, mainly for business or government matters and for certain social-visit nationalities.View visa details
