Malaysia's Multiple Entry Visa Is Now Limited: What Visa-Runners and Long-Stay Visitors Should Check

The Short Version

Several outlets report that Malaysia's Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) has been restricted since 1 September 2026: it is no longer available to all nationalities, and is limited to 31 nationalities and four travel purposes. The Immigration Department (JIM) announcement is titled "Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) will no longer be available for all nationalities". This matters mainly to people who need a visa to enter Malaysia. If your passport is visa-exempt, the reports we read say you are not affected. We checked four pages on 7 November 2026; details below are as reported, and you should confirm with JIM or the Malaysian embassy before you travel.

What Was Reported

• Effective date: 1 September 2026 (iVisa, published 3 September 2026; Curly Tales, 4 September 2026).
• Who: the MEV is "limited to 31 eligible nationalities", per the Immigration Department wording quoted by VisasNews (4 September 2026).
• Purposes: business, fly and cruise, medical treatment, and wedding tourism (all three reports). VisasNews adds that regular tourism, holidays and ordinary family or social visits are no longer eligible for an MEV.
• Visa-exempt travellers: iVisa says nationals of countries with visa-exempt arrangements, such as most ASEAN members, are not affected. VisasNews says visa-free travellers stay under the rules for their own nationality.

Sources: iVisa, VisasNews, Curly Tales, and the JIM announcement page, all checked 7 November 2026.

What We Could Not Confirm

• The list of 31 nationalities. iVisa says the full list was "not released". VisasNews says the MyVISA portal shows 31 nationalities and treats that as likely but unconfirmed. We are not printing a country list because we could not verify one. Curly Tales infers that Indian citizens remain in the eligible group; that is an inference, not an official statement.
• Whether the 31 are the only eligible group, or the restricted group. The three reports we read describe them as the only ones who can still get an MEV. One other search result framed it the other way, so treat this as something to confirm with JIM.
• Existing MEVs. None of the three reports states what happens to an MEV issued before 1 September. Check your visa's own validity and ask the embassy.
• The JIM page body. When we opened it, only the title loaded; we could not read the full announcement or its date.

Who Should Care

• You hold a passport that needs a Malaysian visa and were planning to use an MEV for repeated trips (for example, regular JB-Singapore hops for work or study). Check which purpose and nationality your application falls under.
• You are visa-exempt (for example, many ASEAN passports): the reports say this change does not apply to you, but your own stay limits and entry conditions still do. Check them for your passport.
• Agents and employers who arrange visas for staff: ask JIM or the embassy about the current rule before booking repeated entries.

Practical Checklist (Our Suggestions)

These are tips from the hostel desk, not statements from the reports above.

• Confirm your eligibility on the official JIM and MyVISA pages, or with a Malaysian embassy, before paying a visa agent.
• Keep your visa approval, passport and booking confirmation together, on paper and as phone screenshots.
• Complete the entry and arrival requirements for your trip. Our MDAC and SG Arrival Card checklist covers the forms.
• Planning a border hop? Read our Singapore visa-run guide, immigration queue tips and, if you run into trouble, what to do if you overstayed.
• Immigration officers may ask where you are staying. See how to get accommodation proof.

Stay at Pelangi While You Sort It Out

Pelangi Capsule Hostel is at 26A Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru. A capsule is RM35 per night, and RM30 for the first night if you are a first-time guest booking direct on our website. Check-in is from 2:00 PM. We accept payment in MYR and SGD. Book direct, see rooms, or contact us. We cannot give visa advice; for that, please ask JIM or your embassy.

FAQ

What changed with the Malaysia Multiple Entry Visa?

Reports say that from 1 September 2026 the MEV is limited to 31 nationalities and four purposes (business, fly and cruise, medical treatment, wedding tourism).

Does this affect visa-free visitors?

iVisa says visa-exempt nationals, such as most ASEAN members, are not affected. Check the rules for your own passport.

Is there an official list of the 31 nationalities?

We could not find a published list. Reports say it has not been released, so ask JIM, the MyVISA portal or your embassy.

Does my existing MEV still work?

The reports we read do not say. Check the validity printed on your visa and confirm with the embassy.