Home/from/Malaysia/to/China
2026 visa changes — what's new2026 visa policy changes: what's different this year
🇲🇾Malaysia
🇨🇳ChinaMY-CN

Malaysia to China visa requirements

Malaysian ordinary passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days per entry under the China-Malaysia mutual visa-exemption agreement effective since 17 July 2025. Malaysian ordinary passport holders with at least six months' passport validity can enter, exit, or transit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days per entry under the China-Malaysia mutual visa-exemption agreement effective since 17 July 2025. Visa-free stays are capped at 90 days within any 180-day period, and the 30-day stay in China is counted from 00:00 on the day after entry to 24:00 on the 30th day. Covered purposes include vacation/tourism, family and friends visits, business, exchanges, private affairs, medical treatment, and international traffic crew. Residence, employment, study, media activities, stays beyond 30 days, or other activities requiring prior approval need the appropriate visa before travel. Border officers may ask for proof matching the entry purpose, such as invitation letters, tickets, and accommodation reservations. Since 20 November 2025, foreign nationals may complete the arrival card online before travel or at the port unless exempt. Travellers staying outside hotels must register with local public security authorities within 24 hours; hotels handle registration automatically. Hong Kong and Macau are separate immigration jurisdictions.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20
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
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20
Visa type
Visa-free entry (China-Malaysia mutual agreement)
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days per entry; max 90 days within any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Multiple, subject to the 90-in-180 cumulative cap
from issue date
Visa fee
Free
consular fee only
Processing time
On arrival
standard track
Validity
Agreement effective since 17 July 2025 for 5 years, then automatically extended for another 5 years
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport and stay allowance
Hold a Malaysian ordinary passport valid for at least 6 months. Each visa-free stay is up to 30 days, and cumulative visa-free stays cannot exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.
· 6-month rule· 90/180 cap
/02
Prepare purpose evidence
Carry documents that match your entry purpose, such as invitation letters, return or onward tickets, and accommodation reservations.
· purpose evidence
/03
Complete the arrival card
Since 20 November 2025, foreign nationals may fill the arrival card online before travel or complete it at the port by QR code, smart device, or paper card if they cannot do it in advance.
· online or on arrival
/04
Arrive in China
Standard immigration with fingerprints and a facial photo. Visa-free entry remains subject to border inspection approval.
· biometrics
/05
Register within 24 hours
If staying with friends or in private accommodation, register at the local police station (派出所) within 24 hours. Hotels handle this automatically.
· 24-hour rule
/06
Use a visa for non-covered plans
For stays beyond 30 days, residence, employment, study, media activities, or restricted regions such as Tibet, apply for the proper visa or permit before travel.
· visa required
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

16 items
Personalized checklist
Malaysia -> China · Visa-free entry (China-Malaysia mutual agreement)
0 / 16 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredMalaysian ordinary passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Valid at least 6 months on entry
Required90-in-180 stay count
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Previous visa-free stays since 17 July 2025 may reduce the allowance
RequiredReturn or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Within your allowed stay
RequiredAccommodation address
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Hotel booking or host's address
ConditionalPurpose evidence
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Invitation letter, itinerary, medical booking, or business documents if relevant
RequiredArrival card
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Online before travel or at the port unless exempt
ConditionalFunds evidence
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
Cash or cards if asked
ConditionalPolice registration
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Within 24 hours if not at a hotel
RecommendedMobile payment app
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Alipay TourCard / WeChat Pay for foreign visitors strongly recommended
RequiredVPN awareness
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
WhatsApp, Google, Instagram, X blocked
RequiredHalal food planning
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Halal options available in major cities; rural areas limited
RecommendedTravel insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Recommended for medical coverage
RequiredTibet/Xinjiang permits
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Separate permits required even with visa-free entry
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.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Application link included: Chinese Embassy in Malaysia - FAQs on China-Malaysia Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement, 1 Aug 2025
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeUp to 30 days per entry; cumulative max 90 days within any 180-day period
Regular Chinese visaVariesRequired for stays beyond 30 days or purposes outside the agreement; reduced visa fees extended through 31 December 2026
Work/study/media visaVariesRequired before travel for employment, study, residence, or media activities
Tibet Travel PermitVariesRequired regardless of visa status, via authorized travel agencies
Overstay penaltiesCNY 500/dayUp to CNY 10,000 and detention
Total estimateFreeFreeincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Regular visa
Varies
Apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Kuala Lumpur or the relevant Chinese consulate when the stay or purpose is not covered by the agreement.
Work/study/media visa
Weeks
Apply before travel with the required approval documents or invitation materials.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Past Chinese overstays
Any prior overstay or removal heavily affects future visa-free entries.
Medium
/02
90-in-180 cap reached
If cumulative visa-free stays within the rolling 180-day period already reach 90 days, visa-free entry should not be granted.
Medium
/03
Suspected work intent
Residence, employment, study, media activities, or other approval-required activities need the proper visa before travel.
Low
/04
Purpose evidence mismatch
Border officers may refuse entry when the purpose or supporting documents do not match the visa-free categories.
Low
/05
Restricted regions
Tibet, parts of Xinjiang, and some border areas require separate permits.
Low
/06
Prohibited items
Strict controls on drones, satellite phones, and certain political or religious materials.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Use the foreign visitor lanes, keep hotel or invitation details handy, and make sure your entry purpose matches the visa-free category.
/02
Registration
Hotels normally register foreign guests automatically. If staying in a private residence, complete temporary residence registration with local police within 24 hours.
/03
Connectivity
Install maps, translation, and payment apps before travel. Some foreign services may not work reliably without roaming or a compliant VPN.
/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.
2026-06-20 · major
Codex re-verified Malaysia to China route
Replaced stale unilateral-policy wording with the China-Malaysia mutual visa-exemption agreement effective 17 July 2025; added checked-date, refreshed official sources, added the 90-in-180 cumulative cap, day-count rule, online arrival-card guidance, six-month passport validity, and non-covered work/study/media caveats.
2026-05-27
Malaysia to China route previously checked under pilot wording
Earlier review confirmed 30-day visa-free access and the 24-hour accommodation-registration rule; current guidance is now governed by the mutual visa-exemption agreement.
2025-07-17 · major
China-Malaysia mutual visa exemption took effect
The bilateral agreement replaced the temporary pilot with 30-day visa-free entry per trip and a 90-day cumulative cap within any 180-day period.
2024-11-30 · major
Temporary pilot widened to 30 days
China widened the earlier Malaysia visa-waiver pilot to 30 days and more covered purposes through 31 December 2025, before the mutual agreement took effect.
2023-12-01 · major
Malaysia added to unilateral visa-free pilot
China added Malaysian ordinary passport holders to its initial short-stay unilateral visa-free pilot.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Malaysian citizens need a visa for China?
No for covered short stays. Malaysian ordinary passport holders with at least six months' validity can enter, exit, or transit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days per entry under the China-Malaysia mutual visa-exemption agreement effective since 17 July 2025.
Is there a cumulative stay limit?+
Can I stay longer than 30 days?+
Do I need to register with the police?+
Do I need an arrival card?+
Do I need 6 months on my passport?+
Should I use 240-hour transit or regional visa-free programs instead?+
Is this the same as China's unilateral policy through 31 December 2026?+
Are Hong Kong and Macau covered?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Malaysia passport

See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.