Malaysia Visa-Free for Indians 2026: 30 Days, MDAC and End Date

Published 2026-10-24 · 6 min read · By the Travlys visa team

Malaysia's visa waiver for Indian nationals allows stays of up to 30 days and runs until 31 December 2026. Here is what to carry, how the MDAC works and what happens after the deadline.

Yes, Indians can still visit Malaysia without a visa. The Government of Malaysia has extended its visa waiver for Indian nationals until 31 December 2026, for stays of up to 30 days. You must carry a return ticket and hotel booking and submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before you land.

At a glance: Visa needed: No, for stays of up to 30 days. Scheme ends: 31 December 2026, unless Malaysia extends it. Purposes: Business, tourism, social or transit visits. Not work. MDAC: Compulsory, free, submit online three days before arrival. Carry: Passport valid 6 months or more, confirmed return ticket, confirmed hotel booking. After the deadline: No official word yet on what replaces it.

How the visa waiver works

Malaysia introduced visa-free entry for Indian nationals on 1 December 2023. In December 2024 the Home Ministry extended it by two years, to 31 December 2026, linking the move to Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship and Visit Malaysia Year 2026. The Immigration Department of Malaysia's country list still says Indian citizens are visa-exempt until 31 December 2026.

According to the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi, you can stay up to 30 days per visit for business, tourism, social or transit purposes. You are screened on arrival like any other visitor, and the officer decides whether to let you in.

Documents you must carry

The High Commission lists four things Indian passport holders must show at security and immigration checks:

• A passport valid for at least six months.
• A confirmed return flight ticket.
• A confirmed hotel booking.
• Proof of your MDAC submission, made online three days before your arrival date.

Malaysia's general entry conditions also mention having enough money for your stay. Carry a card and some cash, and keep your bookings on your phone and on paper.

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)

The MDAC has been compulsory for foreign visitors since 1 January 2024, with exceptions for groups such as Singaporeans and long-term pass holders. Indian tourists are not exempt.

• File it only at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main, the Immigration Department's portal.
• The High Commission says to submit it three days before your arrival date. Do not leave it until you are at the airport.
• The official form is free. Malaysia's Immigration Department has warned about fake MDAC websites. If a site asks you to pay, close it.
• Fill in the same passport details, flight number and hotel address that you will show at the counter.
• Save the confirmation and keep it handy on arrival.

Business visits, and what you cannot do

The Malaysian High Commission includes business in the waiver, so short visits for meetings, site visits or trade fairs are covered. Carry an invitation letter from the company you are meeting and your return ticket.

Working is a different matter. On 22 September 2026, the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur cautioned Indians against using visa-free entry to take up jobs. It called this a clear violation of immigration rules that can lead to overstay, detention and legal action. Its advisory describes the facility as being for tourism and social visits. Paid work needs an employment pass, a work permit or a Visa With Reference (VDR) arranged before you travel.

Watch out: If an agent offers you a job in Malaysia and tells you to fly in visa-free, stop. You cannot work legally on visa-free entry, and the Indian High Commission has warned about fake job offers.

What happens after 31 December 2026

As of 24 October 2026, we found no official announcement extending the waiver into 2027. Malaysia has extended it before, but you should not assume it will happen again.

• If your trip ends on or before 31 December 2026, the current rules apply.
• If your trip starts on or after 1 January 2027, check imi.gov.my and the High Commission website before you book non-refundable tickets.
• If your trip crosses 31 December 2026, ask the High Commission how you will be treated, or plan for a visa.
• Before the waiver, Indians used eNTRI (online registration, up to 15 days per visit, no extension) or an eVISA from malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my. Malaysia has not said which route will apply from January 2027.

When you need a visa now

Even while the waiver is in force, you need a visa or pass if you plan to:

• Stay more than 30 days in one visit.
• Work, including short-term paid jobs.
• Study. Student passes are handled through Education Malaysia Global Services.
• Join a family member on a long-term pass.

We found no official rule that lets you extend a visa-free stay, so plan your dates to fit inside 30 days.

Practical tips

• Book a return or onward flight that leaves within 30 days. One-way tickets cause problems.
• Book your hotel for the full stay. If you are staying with friends, carry their address and a letter.
• File the MDAC three days before you fly and save the confirmation.
• Keep your passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
• Answer immigration questions simply and match what is on your bookings.
• Planning a December holiday? Check the latest rules in early December, close to your travel date.

How Travlys helps

For a simple holiday under 30 days, the waiver means you may not need a visa. We still help with the parts that trip people up: MDAC filing, an itinerary that matches your bookings, and document checks before you fly. If you are travelling after the scheme ends, staying longer, or going for business that needs a visa, we handle eNTRI or eVISA applications as soon as Malaysia confirms the route. Malaysia visa help starts from ₹999 (Travlys fee). We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967.

Last checked: These rules were checked on 24 October 2026 against the Immigration Department of Malaysia, the High Commission of Malaysia in New Delhi and the other sources listed below. Check the official portal before you fly, especially for trips close to 31 December 2026.