Trip checklist: Malaysia

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

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Visa requirement

South Africans don't need a visa for Malaysia.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 90 days per visit.

Before you go

• Purpose of visit

  Tourism, social and short business visits. Employment or study needs a pass/visa arranged in advance.

• Passport validity

  At least 6 months beyond arrival, undamaged, with a blank page.

• How to apply

  No visa application. Complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before travel at the official Immigration portal imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main (free).

• Where South Africans apply

  Not applicable for visa-free visits. For other purposes: High Commission of Malaysia in Pretoria.

• Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

  Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a transmission-risk country. Malaysia is not a risk country.

• Arrival forms

  Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), mandatory for foreign visitors, submitted online before travel at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main; free. Exemptions per US State Dept: permanent residents, long-term pass holders, diplomatic/official passports (Singaporeans are also generally exempt; not verified here). Commonly cited submission window: within 3 days before arrival (not confirmed on an official page I could read). Airlines may ask for it at check-in. Sabah and Sarawak run separate immigration control: passport needed even on domestic flights.

• Extending your stay and overstaying

  Extensions at the Immigration Department, not guaranteed. Overstay can lead to fines, detention, deportation and re-entry bans.

• Confirm with the embassy

  Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

• Immigration Department of Malaysia https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/visa/visa-requirement-by-country/
• Immigration Department of Malaysia (MDAC portal) https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main

Research sources

1. 1. Immigration Department of Malaysia (Official, imi.gov.my) https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/visa/visa-requirement-by-country/
2. 2. Immigration Department of Malaysia (MDAC portal) (Official, imigresen-online.imi.gov.my) https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
3. 3. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malaysia/entry-requirements
4. 4. US Department of State (Other government, travel.state.gov) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Malaysia.html
5. 5. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens

From doineedavisa.co.za/malaysia. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.