Malaysia Restricts Multiple Entry Visa to 31 Nationalities from September 1, 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, September 1, 2026 — Malaysia has officially restricted its Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) to nationals of 31 eligible countries starting today, with the visa now available only for specific purposes including "Fly & Cruise travel, business activities, medical treatment and wedding tourism" .

Under the revised policy, applicants who do not fall within the designated nationalities or approved travel purposes will no longer be able to obtain a Multiple Entry Visa under the new arrangements .

Published: September 1, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team

Malaysia restricts Multiple Entry Visa to 31 nationalities from September 1, 2026.

What's Changing?

Aspect	Previous Policy	New Policy (From Sept 1, 2026)
MEV Eligibility	Available to most nationalities	Restricted to 31 eligible countries
Permitted Purposes	General travel	Fly & Cruise, business, medical treatment, wedding tourism
Application	Standard process	Restricted to specific categories

The MEV allows travelers to enter Malaysia multiple times during the visa's validity period. Previously available to a wider range of nationalities, the visa is now limited to specific purposes that align with Malaysia's tourism and economic priorities .

Background and Context

The policy change follows Malaysia's broader immigration modernization efforts, including the upcoming launch of the MyNIISe digital immigration system. The country is investing approximately MYR 1 billion in this transformation, which promises to reduce immigration clearance times to just four to five seconds per passenger using facial recognition and QR code technology .

The MEV restriction also aligns with Malaysia's evolving visa policies. Between 1 December 2023 and 31 December 2026, all multiple entry visas had an extended validity period of up to six months (instead of the usual three months), providing easier entry and exit for travelers . The new restrictions now narrow access to the facility.

What This Means for Travelers

Category	Impact
Nationals of 31 eligible countries	May still apply for MEV for approved purposes
Other nationalities	No longer eligible for MEV
Travelers with approved purposes	Fly & Cruise, business, medical, wedding tourism qualify
Other travel purposes	Must apply for single-entry visa or check visa exemption status

Note: The list of 31 eligible nationalities has not been published in the search results. Travelers should check with the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate to confirm eligibility.

Read Also

Quick Reference Summary

Aspect	Details
Effective Date	September 1, 2026
MEV Eligibility	Restricted to 31 nationalities
Permitted Purposes	Fly & Cruise, business, medical treatment, wedding tourism
Other Nationalities	Not eligible for MEV
MyNIISe System	Launching September 2026

Official Resources

Resource	Link
Malaysian Immigration Department	imi.gov.my
eVisa Portal	imigresen-online.imi.gov.my
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)	mdec.my

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