Do UK citizens need a visa for Malaysia? Entry rules explained simply

Some links here are affiliate links: we may earn a small fee if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

This is the question almost everyone asks first, and the good news is that for a normal holiday it is straightforward. Here is how to check it properly rather than relying on a forum post from three years ago.

The short version for tourists

UK citizens travelling to Malaysia for tourism are normally allowed in without a visa for up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the day you arrive. You will also need a return or onward ticket to be safe, because airlines can ask for it at check-in.

What counts as tourism

Sightseeing, visiting friends and family, and short leisure trips count. Paid work, running business activity beyond attending meetings or conferences, volunteering in some roles, and study do not. If you are unsure, ask the Malaysian High Commission in London before you travel and get the answer in writing.

When you do need a visa

• You want to stay longer than 90 days
• You are going to work, even remotely under a formal scheme
• You are going to study
• You are moving permanently, for example under a long-stay programme

These routes are covered in our guides to the DE Rantau remote-work pass and moving to Malaysia from the UK.

Do not forget the arrival card

Separately from any visa, most visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card online before arrival. Read how to fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card step by step.

Other entry points to know about

• If you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever you may need to show a vaccination certificate.
• Declare cash and valuables if you carry the equivalent of US$10,000 or more.
• Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo have their own immigration checks, so keep your passport with you when you fly there from the peninsula.

Rules change. Check GOV.UK Malaysia entry requirements and your airline before you book or fly.