From 1 September 2026, Malaysia’s Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) is restricted to nationals of 31 countries. Travellers whose nationalities were previously eligible for the MEV but are no longer on the approved list — including visitors from India and China — must now apply for a single-entry visa instead.
What Changed
The MEV previously allowed visitors from a broader range of countries to obtain a visa valid for multiple entries over 12 months, with stays of up to 30 days per visit. The revised policy narrows MEV eligibility significantly, retaining it mainly for travellers from South Asia, the Middle East, and parts of sub-Saharan Africa that Malaysia has bilateral agreements with.
The change does not affect:
- Citizens of countries already eligible for visa-free entry to Malaysia (including most EU nationals, UK citizens, Australians, Americans, and Japanese nationals, who continue to enter without a visa for stays up to 90 days)
- Citizens of ASEAN member states
Who Is Affected
If you hold an Indian or Chinese passport (two of the largest visitor groups to Malaysia previously using the MEV), the main practical change is that each visit now requires a separate single-entry visa application. For occasional visitors this is a minor inconvenience; for frequent business travellers or those planning multiple trips in a 12-month period, it adds administrative overhead and cost.
Single-entry visa fees and processing times remain unchanged. Applications go through the Immigration Department of Malaysia (imi.gov.my) or the evisa portal (evisa.imi.gov.my).
Checking Your Eligibility
If you are unsure whether your nationality is now MEV-eligible, check the current list on the Immigration Department website before booking travel. Policies can be updated without widespread advance notice, and we recommend verifying directly rather than relying on third-party summaries.
Kuala Lumpur remains easily accessible from most of Asia, and direct connections from major hubs continue unchanged. Our guide to flights to Malaysia covers airlines, routes, and airport arrival procedures at KLIA and KLIA2.
Visa-on-Arrival and eNTRI
For Indian and Chinese nationals specifically, separate short-stay options (eNTRI for Indian nationals, VoA at selected borders for Chinese nationals) may be available depending on purpose of travel. Check the Immigration Department website for the current terms of each scheme, as these are subject to change. Before travelling, ensure you have travel insurance for Malaysia to cover unexpected changes to your plans.