canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/us/to/my
🇺🇸UNITED STATES
🇲🇾MALAYSIAUS-MY

Do United States passport holders need a visa to visit Malaysia?

Americans get 90 days visa-free in Malaysia; MDAC arrival card required online before arrival. United States passport holders enjoy 90 days visa-free entry to Malaysia for social, business, and tourism visits. Since 1 January 2024 all foreign visitors must complete the free online Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within 3 days before arrival. The MDAC is not a visa - it's an electronic arrival card replacing the paper form. Most American travellers fly from LAX, SFO, JFK, or SEA via Tokyo (Japan Airlines, ANA), Seoul (Korean Air), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific), Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), or Dubai (Emirates) to reach Kuala Lumpur (KUL). KLIA Express train connects KUL to KL Sentral in 33 minutes. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, and Borneo (Sabah/Sarawak) are the top destinations. Work, study, journalism, and longer stays require an Employment Pass, student visa, or PVP (Professional Visit Pass) from the Malaysian Embassy in Washington DC.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27
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.
United States (Green Card)Living in United States as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
Visa-free (Social Visit Pass)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries allowed
from issue date
Visa fee
Free (MDAC also free)
consular fee only
Processing time
On arrival; MDAC takes minutes online
standard track
Validity
Passport-based
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity
US passport valid 6+ months beyond intended departure with at least 1 blank page.
· 6 months validity
/02
Complete MDAC online
Submit Malaysia Digital Arrival Card at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main within 3 days of arrival.
· MDAC required· free
/03
Book onward/return ticket
Confirmed ticket out of Malaysia within 90 days required at immigration.
· onward ticket
/04
Arrive at KUL/PEN/LGK/BKI
Present passport and MDAC confirmation. Up to 90 days stamped in passport.
· 90 days stamped
/05
Track your departure date
Overstay penalty is RM 30/day plus possible deportation and blacklist.
· no overstay
/06
Extend or exit
Apply for 30-day extension at any Immigration Office before 90 days expire or exit and re-enter.
· extension possible
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

6 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 6 complete
US passport
Valid 6+ months beyond departure, 1 blank page
MDAC confirmation
Submitted within 3 days pre-arrival, save QR/PDF
Return/onward ticket
Confirmed flight out within 90 days
Accommodation details
Hotel booking or host address
Sufficient funds
USD 50-100/day equivalent
Travel insurance
Recommended for medical/evacuation
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Social Visit PassFree90 days visa-free on arrival
MDACFreeRequired online; beware of scam sites charging fees
Extension (Social Visit)RM 100 (~USD 22)Up to 30 additional days at Immigration office
Employment PassRM 200-1,200For work; employer-sponsored
Overstay penaltyRM 30/dayPlus possible detention and blacklist
Total estimateFree — Freeincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

MDAC online
Minutes
Submit at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main within 3 days pre-arrival.
Visa-free arrival
On arrival
Immigration officer stamps up to 90 days.
Extension
Same day at office
Visit Immigration Office in person before 90 days expire.
Employment Pass
4-8 weeks
For work; requires Malaysian employer sponsorship.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
MDAC not submitted
Required since 1 Jan 2024; some airlines now check before boarding. Submit online for free.
Medium
/02
Onward ticket not shown
Immigration may request proof of departure within 90 days.
Low
/03
Overstay
RM 30/day plus possible deportation and blacklist - track date carefully.
Low
/04
Wrong purpose declared
Working on visa-free entry is not allowed; declare correctly.
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
2026-05-27
USA to Malaysia route verified
Confirmed 90-day visa-free + MDAC for US citizens.
2024-01-01 · major
MDAC mandatory
Malaysia Digital Arrival Card required for all foreign visitors before arrival.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Americans need a visa for Malaysia?—
No - 90 days visa-free entry is granted on arrival. You must complete the free MDAC online within 3 days before arrival.
What is the MDAC?+
Are there scam MDAC sites?+
Can I extend my stay?+
Can I work on visa-free entry?+
Direct flights from the US?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United States passport

🇺🇸⇄
Compare the United States passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇺🇸◐
United States visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇺🇸▤
United States passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.