Travelling To Malaysia? New Multiple-Entry Visa Rules Explained For Indians

Malaysia has tightened the eligibility rules for its Multiple Entry Visa (MEV), making it harder for travellers to use the facility for regular holidays. The changes came into effect on September 1, 2026, and are particularly relevant for Indian travellers, as India is among the 31 nationalities that appear to remain eligible for the MEV under Malaysia’s revised system. Read on to know more.

Malaysia Limits Multiple-Entry Visas To 31 Nationalities

According to reports by Visanews, however, being an eligible nationality is no longer enough. The Malaysian Immigration Department has restricted the MEV to four specific travel purposes: business, fly & cruise, medical treatment and wedding tourism. Regular holidays, vacations and ordinary family or social visits are no longer listed as eligible purposes for a multiple-entry visa.

Indian passport holders can still apply for a multiple-entry visa where their trip falls under one of the four permitted categories. This means an Indian traveller visiting Malaysia for business, medical treatment, a Fly & Cruise itinerary or wedding tourism may continue to have the MEV option available on the official MyVISA portal.

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However, Indian tourists planning a regular holiday in Malaysia will generally have to apply for a Single Entry Visa (SEV) if a visa is required for their particular circumstances. The multiple-entry option is no longer available for ordinary tourism. Travel-document experts who tested Malaysia’s official MyVISA application system on September 4 found that when an eligible nationality, including India, was selected, the Multiple Entry Visa option was available. The portal then offered only the four permitted travel categories.

What Does It Mean For Indian Travellers?

Malaysian Immigration has stated that the MEV is now restricted to 31 eligible nationalities, but it has not separately published a country-by-country list confirming those nationalities. The 31 nationalities currently listed under Malaysia’s e-Visa framework include India, suggesting that Indian citizens remain within the eligible group. The latest changes therefore do not mean Indian travellers have lost access to Malaysia’s multiple-entry visa altogether. Instead, the facility has become purpose-specific.

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For Indian tourists, the key takeaway is simple: if you are travelling to Malaysia for a regular vacation, do not expect to select an MEV. Depending on your circumstances and the applicable visa rules, a single-entry visa may be required instead. The changes primarily affect MEV eligibility and permitted purposes. Current MyVISA information continues to indicate a validity period of up to six months from issuance, with stays of up to 30 days per entry.

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