Tourists planning a visit to Malaysia must hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry, according to the U.S. Department of State. Individuals visiting Malaysia for tourism or business purposes will typically have their passport stamped by immigration officials to indicate the number of days the individual is permitted to stay in the country. These stamps are sometimes referred to as social visit passes, or visas. According to the U.S. Department of State, in most cases, visits are approved for 90 days and may be extended for an additional 60 days.
The U.S. Department of State advises travelers to pay close attention to the time allotted for visits stamped in their passports. Tourists who overstay their visa may be detained by Malaysian immigration authorities or Malaysian police. Tourists are encouraged to keep their passports in their possession at all times while traveling in Malaysia to avoid any confusion with authorities who routinely conduct immigration sweeps. Overstaying the time allotted on the visa stamp may result in arrest and detention for up to several weeks until a hearing can be conducted.
Malaysia is divided into 13 states. Eleven are located on the mainland and are known collectively as peninsular Malaysia. The other two states are located across the South China Sea on the Island of Borneo. The two states on the Island of Borneo have their own immigration agencies. Tourists traveling between peninsular Malaysia and the other states will have to show their passports to local immigration authorities.
