“Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Malaysia?” Since the China–Malaysia mutual visa exemption agreement took effect on 17 July 2025, the answer is simple: PRC ordinary passport holders visiting for tourism or family can stay visa-free for up to 30 days per entry. But visa-free entry only covers short visits. To work, study, accompany a child at school or live in Malaysia long term, you still need the right pass.
This guide is for PRC passport holders and covers the main Malaysian visa options: visa-free entry and eVISA, the Employment Pass, Student Pass, Dependant Pass and long-stay programmes such as Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H), with documents, fees, procedures and common reasons for refusal. Figures are as of October 2026 and come from the Immigration Department, its Expatriate Services Division and the official MM2H website.
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Malaysia?
According to Xinhua, the agreement between China and Malaysia on mutual visa exemption was signed on 16 April 2025 and took effect on 17 July 2025. Holders of valid Chinese ordinary passports and public affairs ordinary passports may enter, leave or transit Malaysia visa-free for leisure, tourism and similar purposes, staying no more than 30 days per entry and no more than 90 days in total in any 180-day period. The Immigration Department’s visa requirement page no longer lists China as a visa-required country and links to a dedicated FAQ on the agreement.
The exemption covers short-term purposes such as tourism and family visits. Work, study and journalism require the relevant pass before you travel. All foreign visitors must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online through the Immigration Department’s official system within the three days before arrival.
Working in Malaysia on a visa-free stay is illegal. In recent years many “high-paying overseas job” ads have lured job seekers abroad as tourists, and some ended up trapped in telecom fraud gangs. Treat any job offer that says “come visa-free first and we’ll sort the papers later” with great suspicion.
Malaysian visa types at a glance
| Type | Who | Length of stay | Fee | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entry | PRC ordinary passport holders visiting for tourism or family | ≤30 days per entry, ≤90 days in 180 | Free (MDAC required) | No application |
| eVISA | Visitors not eligible for visa-free entry or with other purposes | As stated on the visa | See the official eVISA site | Immigration Department’s official eVISA website |
| Employment Pass (EP) | Foreign professionals hired by a Malaysian company | Categories I and II up to 10 years; Category III up to 5 years | See ESD | Employer, online via the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) |
| Student Pass | Students at Malaysian institutions | Linked to the course | RM60 pass fee plus a visa fee that varies by nationality | Through the admitting institution |
| Dependant Pass (DP) | Spouses and children under 18 of EP holders | Follows the main pass | See ESD | Employer, with the EP |
| Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LT-SVP) | Parents, parents-in-law and children aged 18–25 of EP holders, etc. | Follows the main pass | See ESD | Employer |
| MM2H | People with substantial assets seeking a long stay | Silver 5 years, Gold 15 years, Platinum 20 years | One-off participation fee: Silver RM1,000, Gold RM3,000, Platinum RM200,000 | Online via the official MM2H website |
How to prepare for a short visit
For most Chinese visitors, “getting a visa” has become “getting ready for the border”. Follow these steps:
- Check your passportMake sure it has enough validity and blank pages; renew it in China first if needed.
- Check your datesStay no more than 30 days per entry, and count your days in Malaysia over the past 180 days (maximum 90).
- Prepare supporting documentsReturn or onward ticket, hotel booking or your host’s address, and enough money for the trip.
- Complete the MDACFill in the digital arrival card on the official Immigration Department site within the three days before arrival; beware of copycat sites that charge fees.
- Pass immigrationAnswer officers’ questions on your itinerary, accommodation and funds truthfully.
- Leave on timeDepart within your permitted stay and never overstay.
Document checklist
Visa-free entry needs no application, but officers may ask to see the following, so keep them with you:
- A valid PRC ordinary passport; if it is close to expiry, renew it first – see our guide to getting or renewing a Chinese passport
- A return ticket or a ticket to a third country
- A hotel booking or the address and contact details of friends or relatives in Malaysia
- Proof of funds, such as bank cards or cash
Applications for an Employment Pass, Student Pass or MM2H usually also require degree certificates, proof of employment, bank statements, marriage and birth certificates. The Malaysian authorities may ask for some documents to be notarised or legalised; China has joined the Apostille Convention, so read our guide to apostilles in China but check with the receiving Malaysian authority whether it accepts an apostille or still requires consular legalisation by China’s foreign affairs office and the Malaysian mission. Some applications may also need a Chinese police clearance certificate.
Fees and processing times
Visa-free entry and the MDAC cost nothing. MM2H fees are published clearly on the official site: a one-off participation fee of RM1,000 for Silver, RM3,000 for Gold and RM200,000 for Platinum principal applicants, with no participation fee for dependants; a pass fee of RM500 per year; and, on renewal, a visa fee of RM0–50 depending on nationality. Silver passes are renewed every five years for RM1,500; the Platinum pass renewal fee is RM5,000 (principal and dependants).
The Immigration Department lists a Student Pass fee of RM60 and RM90 for the social visit pass of a student’s dependant or guardian, plus a visa fee that varies by nationality. Government fees for the Employment Pass and Dependant Pass, and processing times for all passes, change from time to time, so check ESD’s and your institution’s latest notices. MM2H applicants and dependants must also take a medical check-up at an appointed clinic or hospital.
Work and long-term passes
The Revised Expatriate Salary Policy published by ESD applies to new and renewal applications submitted on or after 1 June 2026; passes already issued remain valid until they expire:
| Category | Minimum basic monthly salary | Maximum duration | Dependants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category I | RM20,000 and above | Up to 10 years | Allowed |
| Category II | RM10,000–19,999 | Up to 10 years; succession plan required from 1 Jan 2027 | Allowed |
| Category III | RM5,000–9,999 | Up to 5 years; succession plan required from 1 Jan 2027 | Allowed |
Only basic pay taxable in Malaysia counts towards the salary; allowances, bonuses and pay received outside Malaysia do not. Under the old policy Category III started at RM3,000–4,999, with a maximum of 12 months per application and no dependants, so the bar has risen sharply. ESD has also introduced a “1:3 internship policy” requiring employers to offer three paid internship places for every expatriate they hire.
Student visas
International students need a Student Pass. For higher education, the admitting institution submits the application online through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) after you receive an offer; EMGS screens it academically and passes it to the Immigration Department’s Student Pass Unit for the visa approval letter (eVAL). Students must have a post-arrival medical examination within 7 days of arriving and hold health insurance recognised in Malaysia covering at least 12 months. Malaysia has many private universities and branch campuses of foreign universities – including British and Australian institutions and Xiamen University Malaysia – and fees are usually lower than at the home campuses, making them a popular value option for Chinese families.
Before choosing a school, check that the institution and course are accredited in Malaysia and that the degree can be verified by China’s Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange.
Family reunion
Under ESD’s new policy, from 1 June 2026 holders of all three EP categories can apply for family passes: spouses and children under 18 can get a Dependant Pass (DP), while parents, parents-in-law, children aged 18–25 and common-law spouses can apply for a Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LT-SVP). MM2H also covers a wide range of family members, including spouses, children under 21 (up to 34 if single and not working), children with disabilities, and parents and parents-in-law.
Investor, digital nomad and retirement options
Malaysia has no classic investor visa, but MM2H effectively serves as its retirement and long-stay visa. The main categories after the 2024 reform are:
- Silver: a US$150,000 fixed deposit with a licensed Malaysian bank and a home worth at least RM600,000; 5-year pass, renewable;
- Gold: a US$500,000 fixed deposit and a home worth at least RM1 million; 15-year pass;
- Platinum: a US$1 million fixed deposit and a home worth at least RM2 million; 20-year pass; business, investment and employment allowed;
- SEZ/SFZ: the official page currently lists only Forest City, Johor: minimum age 21; a fixed deposit of US$65,000 for ages 21–49 or US$32,000 for 50 and over; you must buy a property in Forest City (floor price set by Johor state property policy); one-off participation fee RM1,000; 10-year pass, renewable.
Principal applicants for Silver, Gold and Platinum must be at least 25; the home may not be sold for 10 years (except to upgrade); and participants under 50 must spend at least 90 days a year in Malaysia. Silver participants may withdraw up to 50% of the deposit after approval for a home, education, medical care or tourism.
Silver holders may not do business, invest or work in Malaysia. If you want to work or start a business there, choose an Employment Pass or Platinum, not Silver.
Where to apply in China
With mutual visa exemption in place, ordinary passport holders do not need to apply for short visits. If you do need a visa, apply online through the Immigration Department’s official eVISA website, which offers 24/7 live chat support. Malaysia has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Nanning, Xi’an and Hong Kong for visa and consular enquiries.
Employment and dependant passes are applied for online by the Malaysian employer through ESD; Student Passes go through the admitting institution; MM2H applications are made online on the official website. For official rules, see the Immigration Department of Malaysia website.
Common reasons for refusal and how to avoid them
- No clear itinerary: no return ticket or hotel booking, or answers that contradict your MDAC, can lead to refusal of entry.
- Insufficient funds: officers may ask how you will pay for your stay.
- Too many days: frequent visits that exceed 90 days in 180 mean you will be refused visa-free entry.
- Suspected illegal work: carrying lots of work equipment or samples, or an itinerary that clearly is not tourism.
- Past violations: previous overstays or illegal work in Malaysia attract close scrutiny.
- EP salary too low: since June 2026, jobs with a basic salary below RM5,000 a month no longer qualify for an Employment Pass.
From visa to permanent residence and citizenship
Malaysian permanent residence and citizenship are very hard to obtain, and Malaysia does not recognise dual citizenship – nor does China’s Nationality Law. For most Chinese people the realistic long-term options are MM2H or a long-term Employment Pass. Read more in our Malaysia permanent residence and citizenship guide and dual nationality and renouncing Chinese nationality. For living costs, healthcare and the Chinese community in Malaysia, see our complete guide to moving to Malaysia.
FAQ
Can I extend a 30-day visa-free stay in Malaysia?
You must leave before your visa-free stay ends. If you have a genuine reason to stay longer, ask the Immigration Department before it expires – never overstay.
What documents do I need for a Malaysia tourist visa?
Ordinary passport holders need no visa for short tourist trips – just a valid passport and the MDAC completed before departure. Carry a return ticket, accommodation details and proof of funds in case officers ask.
Can I apply for a Malaysian work visa myself?
No. The Employment Pass must be submitted by a Malaysian employer through ESD.
Can MM2H Silver holders work in Malaysia?
No. Silver and Gold holders may not work or do business; only Platinum allows business, investment and employment.
Sources
- 新华网：中马互免签证协定正式生效（2025年7月17日） (accessed October 2026)
- Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia – Visa requirement by country (accessed October 2026)
- Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia – Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) (accessed October 2026)
- Expatriate Services Division – Announcements (EP salary policy 2026, 1:3 internship policy) (accessed October 2026)
- Expatriate Services Division – Revised Expatriate Salary Policy (effective 1 June 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) – Guidelines (accessed October 2026)
- Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) – Silver category (accessed October 2026)
- Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) – Gold category (accessed October 2026)
- Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) – Platinum category (accessed October 2026)
- 商务部《对外投资合作国别（地区）指南：马来西亚》（2025年版） (accessed October 2026)
- Consulate General of Malaysia in Dubai (Wisma Putra) – Malaysia Digital Arrival Card notice (accessed October 2026)
- Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia – Student Pass (accessed October 2026)
- Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) – SEZ/SFZ category (accessed October 2026)
- Consulate General of Malaysia in Xi’an – History (Malaysian missions in China) (accessed October 2026)
