Published 27 July 2026 · Updated 14 August 2026
Visa-free, with one mandatory step
Malaysia grants Indian passport holders visa-free entry for tourist stays up to 30 days, a policy in force since December 2023 and since extended. There is no fee and no application.
There is one step travellers keep missing: the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), which must be submitted online within 3 days before arrival. Airlines increasingly check it at check-in for KL-bound Indians; skip it and you are filling it in at the counter.
Your entry file
- Passport valid 6+ months
- MDAC confirmation (we file it with your details; it takes minutes, but the details must match your passport)
- Return/onward ticket within 30 days
- Hotel bookings for at least the first nights
- Proof of funds, cards or cash; officers ask occasionally, especially of young solo travellers
What 30 days visa-free covers
Tourism, visiting friends and family, and casual business meetings. It does not cover work, and immigration watches for back-to-back visa-free runs that resemble residence.
Staying longer than 30 days
For longer holidays or multi-country trips returning through Malaysia, an eVisa (longer stays) or the eNTRI-style facilities Malaysia has run from time to time may apply. The options have changed several times in recent years, so we check the current menu against official sources for your specific dates rather than quoting stale rules.
What we do for a Malaysia trip beyond the border
KL–Langkawi routings with sensible connections, Genting day plans that don't lose half a day to traffic, and advice on when a Singapore+Malaysia combination works better than either alone. With no visa cost, your budget goes into the holiday itself.
FAQ
Is the MDAC a visa?
No. It is a digital arrival card, free of charge, mandatory for foreign arrivals including visa-free Indians.
Can I enter Malaysia twice on one trip?
Yes, each entry is assessed on its own; a Singapore–Malaysia–Singapore loop is routine. Carry your onward proof each time.
Is airport-to-city transit counted?
Transit without clearing immigration doesn't use your 30 days; the moment you pass immigration for a city stopover, normal entry rules apply.