Is Malaysia Still Visa-Free for Indians After 31 December 2026?
A Malaysia trip in December is covered by the current visa waiver. A trip in January? That is where things get unclear.
Indian passport holders can currently visit Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days, under a waiver that ends on 31 December 2026. No extension into 2027 was found in the official guidance checked on 15 October 2026.
But what if you arrive in December and fly home in January? Or leave India on New Year’s Eve and land after midnight?
Here is what to check before booking.
- Indian passport holders can visit Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days, under a waiver that ends on 31 December 2026.
- No extension into 2027 has been announced. Without one, tourists arriving from 1 January 2027 will need a visa.
- What counts is the date you enter Malaysia, not the date you booked. Overnight flights on 31 December can land in 2027.
- The free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is still required within three days before arrival. It does not replace a visa.
- If the waiver ends, the eVisa currently costs RM155 before extra charges and takes 2–7 working days.
1. What is the current visa-free rule?
Indian passport holders can visit Malaysia for up to 30 days without applying for a visa, under the current waiver.
It covers tourism, business, social visits and transit until 31 December 2026. It does not allow visitors to work or study in Malaysia.
For a short holiday within these rules, there is no tourist visa application or visa fee. However, travellers still need to meet the entry requirements.
Planning other trips too? See our visa-free countries for Indian passport holders guide.
2. What happens from 1 January 2027?
If Malaysia does not extend the waiver or announce a new exemption, Indian tourists will need a visa for arrivals from 1 January 2027.
The current announcement only covers entry until 31 December 2026. An extension may still be announced, but it should not be treated as confirmed.
For a January trip, check the High Commission of Malaysia’s entry requirements page before booking and again before flying.
The date you enter Malaysia matters. Booking your flight in December does not make a January arrival visa-free.
This also matters for overnight flights. A flight leaving India on 31 December may reach Malaysia on 1 January.
3. What if I arrive on 28 December and leave in January?
Suppose the holiday runs from 28 December 2026 to 5 January 2027.
The arrival is within the current waiver period. The trip is also shorter than 30 days.
Two things matter here:
- The waiver’s end date: the deadline for entering under the current scheme.
- Your allowed stay: how long immigration lets you remain after entry.
These are separate. The waiver ending does not automatically mean that a stay already granted ends that day.
However, the official guidance checked does not clearly explain this year-end example. Confirm the dates with Malaysian Immigration or the High Commission before travelling. Once admitted, check and follow the stay granted at the border.
What if I leave Malaysia and return in January?
That return counts as a new entry.
For example, entering Kuala Lumpur in December, visiting Singapore and returning to Malaysia on 3 January means checking the January entry rules too.
The December entry does not cover the return.
4. Do Indians still need the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card?
Yes. Ordinary Indian tourists must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, or MDAC, even when travelling visa-free.
Submit it within the three-day window before arrival, through the official MDAC website. It is free.
Keep your passport, travel dates and accommodation address ready. Save the confirmation on your phone.
The MDAC is an arrival form. It does not replace a visa. If a visa is required for your trip, submitting the MDAC will not remove that requirement.
5. Which documents should I carry?
Visa-free travel still involves checks at the airport and border.
| Document | What to have ready |
|---|---|
| Passport | More than six months’ validity from your planned entry date |
| Return ticket | A confirmed flight showing when you will leave |
| Accommodation details | Bookings or evidence of where you will stay |
| Proof of funds | Bank statements or other accepted financial evidence |
| MDAC confirmation | Details that match your passport and trip |
| Visa, if required | Your approved visa or eVisa |
Immigration officers may also ask about your plans and the reason for your visit. Entry remains subject to their checks.
Save the documents offline before leaving home. It makes things easier if the airport internet does not work.
6. If the waiver ends, how do I get an eVisa?
Check your eligibility and apply through Malaysia’s official eVisa website.
The process is online:
- Create an account.
- Choose the visa for your visit.
- Fill in your details and upload the requested documents.
- Pay the charges.
- Download the eVisa once approved.
Prepare your passport scan, photograph, travel tickets and accommodation details. Applicants under 18 also need to upload a birth certificate. Applications must be made from outside Malaysia.
How much does the eVisa cost?
The current published charges are:
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa fee for Indians | RM50 |
| eVisa processing charge | RM105 |
| Total before extra charges | RM155 |
| Convenience or payment charges | Additional |
So, RM50 is only the visa fee. The processing charge brings the total to RM155 before convenience fees. Optional agent fees are separate.
These are the charges published now. Check the official portal for the amount that applies when you submit a 2027 application.
How long does it take?
The official portal lists 2–7 working days after a complete application and payment. Its terms say to apply 14 days before travel. Extra document requests and holidays can add time.
For a January holiday, leave enough time to apply if no extension is announced.
7. Frequently asked questions
Is Malaysia visa-free for Indians in January 2027?
It is not confirmed under the current announcement. The published waiver ends on 31 December 2026. Check for an extension before travelling.
Has Malaysia extended the waiver beyond 2026?
No extension beyond 2026 was found in the official guidance checked on 15 October 2026.
Can I enter on 31 December and stay into January?
The entry date falls within the announced waiver period. However, the guidance checked does not clearly explain trips crossing into 2027. Confirm beforehand and follow the stay granted at immigration.
Is visa-free entry the same as visa on arrival?
No. Visa-free entry means eligible visitors do not need a visa. A visa on arrival is a separate arrangement. Do not assume it will replace this waiver if it ends.
Can I travel with just an MDAC?
Only if you also meet all other entry requirements. The MDAC cannot replace a required visa.
Will booking before 31 December keep my trip visa-free?
No. Check the rules for your arrival date, even if the flight was booked months earlier.
What to check before booking
Look at three dates: when you arrive, when you leave and whether you enter Malaysia again during the trip.
Then check the entry rules for each arrival.
Still deciding where to go? Compare Bali and Vietnam trip costs, explore our Thailand destination guide, or browse things to do in Thailand.
A few minutes checking the dates now can save a difficult conversation at check-in.
Rules checked on 15 October 2026. Sources: High Commission of Malaysia, New Delhi; Malaysian Immigration visa requirements; official eVisa terms; eVisa FAQs; visa fees; eVisa fee components.
