For most Malaysians, travelling visa-free to many countries is a luxury, thanks to the Commonwealth agreement between each country. Over the years, we have travelled without issues to many countries without the hassle of applying for a visa.

But in the last ten years or so, more Malaysians have become adventurous. They are starting to travel to new destinations a little further than the regular destinations around Southeast Asia.

Travel Visa Guide Information for Malaysians

The mushrooming of budget airlines in Malaysia and around the region has been the most significant contributor to the rise of travel among Malaysians. It has become routine for friends or families to travel somewhere outside Malaysia weekly or monthly.

Another reason for this is also thanks to the many long weekends from the public holidays that Malaysia observes. Yes, Malaysia is a rare country with over 17 public holidays.

If you ask any Malaysians if they have been to Bali or Bangkok, chances are that they have not been to Bali once but several times! This shows how much Malaysians travel nowadays and why some travellers opt for further, not commercialized destinations.

How To Apply For Travel Visas for Malaysians?

There are a few ways to do this, and of course, the most common one is to visit the embassy in the country you want to visit. However, many first-time travellers do not know the proper procedures for getting a visa; hence, you should always do your homework on the country you are visiting.

Many years ago, Japan required a travel visa to visit, but in recent years, the Japanese government decided to waive the visa requirement for Malaysians, making travel there easy.

China, however, still requires a travel visa, and you must obtain one beforehand, no matter which part of mainland China you visit. My research provided helpful information on China visa applications.

Types of Travel Visas for Malaysian

There are three main types of travel visas that Malaysians apply for, and the type you need depends on which country you are planning to visit. Hence, it is important to know which kind of visa you need.

Single Entry Visa – This visa is used only once you visit a country. For example, if you visit Beijing in China for a holiday, you must apply for this one-time single-entry visa.

Multiple Entry Visa—Similar to single entry, this visa allows you to travel to the country as often as you like throughout the visa. For example, a multiple-entry visa is recommended if you are in love with Tokyo and plan to visit there again and again.

Transit Visa—This is a common visa for anyone who is travelling to Europe and transits in Dubai or Qatar and wants to explore the transit country. For example, if you are travelling to London or Europe on any Middle Eastern airline, you will most definitely be transiting in one of the countries of the United Arab Emirates. And you will want to spend at least a day or two there, where a transit visa is required.

Visa On Arrival – This is when you arrive at the airport and get a visa on your arrival. Some countries practise this, and you fill out a visa form. Certain countries have waived the visa fees, but some still require you to pay for the visa on arrival.

Business Travel Visa – This is only if you travel for business, and you can apply for a business visa to the selected countries. In this case, a family travelling may have a father or mother going there for business and leisure and bringing along the family. The working adult applies for the business visa, while the family members apply for the travel visa.

Cause of Concerns

While many think it is easy to get a visa and travel to the desired country, there are very rare cases of visitors being turned away by immigration officers upon arrival. Yes, we think it may never happen to any of us, but there have been cases where tourists have been denied entry to a country even though she has all the proper documents and visas.

This is entirely out of your hands as the immigration officers at the arrival country have the right to do this. There could be many reasons for this, and you should be prepared for sudden emergencies like this.

First, it is always recommended to dress smartly and casually when entering a country, as you do not want to look dodgy or shady. These are warning signs for immigration officers on duty.

Second, at times, immigration officers will question you on arrival, asking you all sorts of questions, and if you do not answer them correctly, this is where many visitors get sent back.

Questions usually concern where you are staying, why you are visiting the country, and how much money you are carrying. To pass the checks, you must look presentable, have your visa paperwork in order, and never look nervous.

Conclusion

Again, this article was written purely for Malaysians, as we love to travel nowadays, and we often overlook many things. It is essential to know if the country you are visiting requires a travel visa; hence, you must get this done at least a month before your travel.

China is a popular destination for many Malaysians, and a travel visa is still required for visiting any part of China. There are services where you can do this online or by visiting the Australian Embassy.

While flights are plentiful and with many airlines to choose from, most Malaysians are penny-wise and always go for the cheapest and best deal. With so many choices, I often look at many websites and eventually find one to book cheap flights for my travels.

Remember, if you are a first-time visitor to China, you must follow the instructions for completing the online visa application before you head to the China Embassy to get your visa.

At the end of the day, I would stress the importance of always finding out beforehand about the general information of the country you are visiting. The main thing to check is whether the country requires you to have a visa before visiting and how long the visa application will take.

As many would say, it is better to be prepared rather than get caught off guard, especially if you love to do things at the last minute or at the eleventh hour. So, for Malaysians, I recommend getting your travel visa information beforehand, as it will save you heaps of unwanted issues.