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🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

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United Arab Emirates to Malaysia visa requirements

Q: Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) mandatory?

Yes. MDAC is mandatory for foreign visitors except listed exempt categories, and UAE ordinary passport holders are not exempt. Submit the free MDAC within 3 days before arrival via the official Immigration Department portal.

Q: How long can I stay in Malaysia?

Up to 90 days per entry for a social or tourist visit. Staying longer requires applying for an appropriate visa before travel.

Q: Is there any fee for the MDAC?

No. The official MDAC is completely free. Beware of third-party websites that charge a fee to submit it on your behalf.

Q: How long must my passport be valid?

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Malaysia.

Q: Can I work or study on a visa-free entry?

No. The visa-free entry is only for social visits and tourism. Employment, study or other purposes require the relevant visa obtained before departure.

UAE ordinary passport holders can enter Malaysia visa-free for tourism and social visits of up to 90 days. No visa is required in advance, but you must complete the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within 3 days before arrival. As a citizen of the United Arab Emirates holding an ordinary passport, you do not need a visa to visit Malaysia for tourism or social purposes. UAE MoFA and the Embassy of Malaysia in Abu Dhabi confirm UAE citizens can make social visits without a visa for up to 90 days. The mandatory pre-arrival step is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), a free online declaration that must be submitted within 3 days before arrival. MDAC is mandatory for foreign visitors except listed exempt categories, and UAE ordinary passport holders are not in those exemptions. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry. If you intend to stay longer than 90 days or travel for any purpose other than a social/tourist visit (such as employment or study), you must obtain the appropriate visa before departure. Beware of third-party websites that charge a fee for the MDAC; the official submission is always free.

VISA-FREETOURISMVISA-FREE ADMISSION PER ENTRY; RE-ENTRY SUBJECT TO IMMIGRATION DISCRETIONLast verified 2026-06-19

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →UAE (Golden Visa)Living in United Arab Emirates as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19

Visa type

Visa-free (social visit / tourism)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days per entry

per entry

Entries

Visa-free admission per entry; re-entry subject to immigration discretion

from issue date

Visa fee

MYR 0 (visa-free; MDAC is free)

consular fee only

Processing time

None for visa; MDAC submitted within 3 days before arrival

standard track

Validity

Passport valid at least 6 months on entry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport validity

Ensure your UAE ordinary passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of entry into Malaysia. Keep a usable blank page available, but official UAE/Malaysia guidance checked for this route supports the 6-month validity requirement rather than a mandatory blank-page count.

· 6 months validity

/02

Book return or onward travel

Arrange confirmed onward or return flight tickets and proof of accommodation, as immigration officers may request them at the border.

· Onward ticket· Accommodation proof

/03

Complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)

Submit the free MDAC online at the official Immigration Department portal within 3 days before arrival. Enter passport, travel and accommodation details.

· Free· Within 3 days before arrival· Official portal only

/04

Carry supporting documents

Keep your MDAC confirmation, proof of sufficient funds, and accommodation/itinerary details ready to show on arrival.

· MDAC confirmation· Proof of funds

/05

Arrive and clear immigration

Present your passport at a Malaysian port of entry. Autogates may be available if you are eligible and the facility supports them; otherwise proceed to the manual counter for a visit pass of up to 90 days.

· Up to 90 days· Autogate where available

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

United Arab Emirates -> Malaysia · Visa-free (social visit / tourism)

0 / 10 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredUAE ordinary passport valid 6+ months

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RecommendedAt least one usable blank passport page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

recommended

RequiredCompleted MDAC (within 3 days before arrival)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredConfirmed return or onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RecommendedProof of accommodation (hotel/host)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RecommendedTravel itinerary

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

OptionalTravel/medical insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

optional

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

Official sourcesUAE MoFA - Malaysia travel requirements (last modified 28-03-2025)Embassy of Malaysia, Abu Dhabi - Entry Requirements for Foreigners Malaysian Immigration Department - Visa Requirement by Country

Application link included: Malaysian Immigration Department - Visa Requirement by Country

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist/social visit visaMYR 0Not required - UAE nationals are visa-exempt for up to 90 days

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)MYR 0Mandatory online declaration, always free via the official portal

Visit pass (on arrival)MYR 0Issued free at the border for up to 90 days

Total estimateMYR 0 — MYR 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry (no application)

Immediate at border

No visa application needed. Complete the free MDAC within 3 days before arrival, then receive a visit pass on entry.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Tourism and sightseeing

Short holidays to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi and Borneo.

High

/02

Family and social visits

Visiting relatives or friends residing in Malaysia.

High

/03

Short business meetings

Attending meetings, conferences or exploratory business trips within the social visit allowance.

Medium

/04

Medical tourism

Malaysia is a popular regional hub for affordable, high-quality medical treatment.

Medium

/05

Transit and stopovers

Stopping over in Malaysia en route to other Asian destinations.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Present passport, MDAC acknowledgement, return or onward ticket, and accommodation details if asked.

/02

Entry stamp

Check the Short Term Social Visit Pass stamp immediately. Overstays can affect future Malaysia entries.

/03

Connectivity

Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are available at KLIA, major malls, and convenience stores.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-19

Malaysia MDAC and UAE-specific wording refreshed

Added checked-date and UAE MoFA source, replaced regional-general wording with UAE-specific evidence, clarified MDAC timing/exemptions, softened autogate and blank-page wording, and synced Chinese guidance.

2026-05-30

United Arab Emirates to Malaysia route verified

Confirmed via the Embassy of Malaysia (Abu Dhabi) and the Malaysian Immigration Department that UAE ordinary passport holders remain visa-free for social/tourist visits up to 90 days, and that the free MDAC must be completed within 3 days before arrival.

/09 — The questions