Jan 02 2012
How to extend your Malaysian tourist visa (Social Visit Pass) in Kuala Lumpur
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Malaysia has one of the sanest and most hassle-free tourist visa procedures in all of Asia, with most visitors being granted a free 30-to-90 day Social Visit Pass on arrival. Compare that to virtually every other country in the region, which are not only more stingy with the time they grant travellers, but also charge them into the bargain.
Where red tape is a way of life.
For the vast majority of visitors to Malaysia, such a generous allotment of days in their visa means never having to deal with the Immigration Department, which is a good thing, to say the least. It’s not really the fault of the frontline staff — many of whom are surprisingly helpful — rather that the rules and regulations they operate under are completely insane.
Blue skies thinking in short supply.
Should you wish to extend your Social Visit Pass — they can in theory be extended twice, for 30 days at a time — in Kuala Lumpur, you’ll need to head to the immigration office (Mon-Fri, 07:30-13:00, 14:00-17:30), which moved in late 2011 to a new complex in the middle of nowhere. Getting there by public transport may be a nightmare (one near-mythical bus from KL Sentral, RapidKL U83), but it’s once inside the building that the fun really begins. Nearly everything to do with foreigners is dealt with by one room on the first floor (follow the signs which say visa, pas & permit).
This way madness lies.
Once inside the room, join the queue at counter 21, where you will be given a number, and at least one form to fill out. The numbers are only called out in Malay, so keep your eyes peeled on the electronic boards. Expect even the simplest of requests to involve visits to several different counters. Try to stay calm and polite at all times, however time-consuming and convoluted the process is.
Patience is not just a virtue but a necessity.
Each extension to a Social Visit Pass costs 50 ringgit. While an extension should in theory only be granted if you have a good reason, such as illness, in practice, the first extension should be given without too much fuss, and possibly the second one too.
New office, same lack of seats.
Although it might seem like more bother, a better option overall is simply to leave Malaysia for a few days, and get a new Social Visit Pass. The easiest (and cheapest) way from KL is to get a bus or train to Singapore. But this is also the border crossing where immigration officials are most likely to give you trouble. It is perfectly legal to get back-to-back Social Visit Passes, so try not to be intimidated into paying a bribe.
Ways to avoid hassle include:
- Always having an onward plane or train ticket;
- Leaving Malaysia for at least three days;
- Mixing up the places you do visa runs to;
- Opting for airports rather than overland crossings.
Clearly, if you do several visa runs in a row, always staying until the very end of your permitted stay, then suspicions will be raised. After two to three years, a long break from Malaysia is advisable, or alternatively, get a new passport.
Kompleks Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN)
69 Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, off Jalan Duta, Solaris Dutamas
T: (03) 6201 2423
www.imi.gov.my
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… Many thanks for the above info. regarding extended visa stays in Malaysia. We will be in K.L. in ten days time. I had assumed that the info. given to me from what is usually a reliable source was correct and that we would be granted 90 days upon arrival! These things do change though! At least it won’t be a shock if we are only granted 30 days. You have probably saved us a lot of hassle trying to find their new location also! So, THANKS once again … Keep up the good work!
North Americans, Australians, New Zealanders, and all EU citizens get the full 90 days. I suspect that Gulf Arabs may get 90 days too. ASEAN citizens only get 30 days. I would imagine citizens of affluent Asian countries like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, get 90 days. But I do know (mainland) Chinese and Indians have to apply for a visa in advance. The same goes for most of Africa, but I’m not sure about North Africa, or for that matter, Latin America. Sarawak has different rules, if you enter Malaysia there, but if you go there from another part of Malaysia, your Social Visit Pass is valid.
Many thanks to yr source, it really helpful on the information, as for yr information visit pass can be extended to 90 days from the arrival date.im from vietnam, today i came to immigration office in jalan duta to extend visit visa to another one month, but to my surprised they said my visa cant be extended. i asked them why because as i know and many of my friends before can extend the visit pass. they just said cant only given 1 months and that it.i have no choice but to leave the office with a very sadness.
Unfortunately, as I mentioned in the post, citizens from ASEAN countries only get one month (as Malaysians do when they visit Vietnam), compared to 90 days for nationals of (rich) western countries. It doesn’t make much sense to me, but then again, Thailand now gives overland travellers just 14 days, which can only be renewed if you leave the country.
Please help me ASAP!
hi dear,
I am from Afghanistan and i have an offer letter from Malaysian university which my class will be started next 27Feb,so i went for getting visa(required) but they need an approval from immigration of Malaysia which take at least 4weeks therefore i dont have time to wait for that but if i fly and in airport is there any chance for me to get a short(or long) social pass? if i enter can i convert it to student visa without any bother to leave country and re-enter?
I’m afraid Travelfish cannot give this sort of personal advice. You are going to have to talk to Malaysian immigration directly, and see if they can help. As a general rule, it is sometimes possible to convert a social visit pass into a student visa without leaving Malaysia – but it is up to the discretion of immigration officials. Good luck with getting your visa.
for what i know if u got an offer from university than the university must hv responsibility to do student pass for u, once u submit yr visa they will issue u a letter, with this letter u can be legal untill yr student visa done. i dont know why u hv to go to do visa for yrsf. anyway i dont know how to give u advice u should better go to immigration office,they can give u instruction.and last option for u is u have to leave the country and come in again.thus, u can show yr offer letter to immigration office then they can extend yr visa up to 3 months with out leaving the country.wish u luck
Hi Pat,
Thanks for the info on this topic. It is the most detailed and accurate information I was able to find.
Quick question, I’m a US citizen and I came to Malaysia in January and was granted a 90 day tourist visa on arrival. A month later my passport was stolen. I got it replaced and they told me I had to go to Putra Jaya and get a visa confirmation from them so when I leave the country they will not give me any problems at the airport. I put on my jungle clothes and went to Putra Jaya to the immigration building and was there for an entire day. Finally they asked me for 100 RM and they asked me when do I want to leave the country. I told them in 4 days so they stamped a 1 week visa in my passport. something came up and now I need to stay for another 1 week so the visa they gave me must be extended. Do you think it will be the same process all over again? Knowing that my original lost 90 day visa still has more then a month validity in it but the one they gave me later expires this coming Monday.
If you have any info on that please let me know before I head down to Putra Jungle again.
Thanks,
Matt
Hi Pat,
Thank you for the info, and also thanks the main writer on this topic. Now I know what to do if I need to stay longer than one month in Malaysia. I have been volunteering in Malaysia for 3-6 months on social pass. I used to get three months upon arrival, but now I get only 1 month with a Singapore passport. It is frustrating when I heard a British gets the full 90 days (3 months) upon arrival recently. Your post surely clears my doubt about the different standards.
I thought of applying a long term social pass for my volunteering work, but it could take up to months before I get it.
Hello there…i have a question about applying 3months social visit visa…I am actually a citizen of Philippines working here in Malaysia. Now my wife is with me carrying a social visit visa for 3months. Now her visa period is ended. I don’t want to extend. But is it possible that we exit to Thailand and then apply there a new 3months social visit visa to Malaysia? I really appreciate any answers as this is very important to me…thanks in advance.
hello, i have a quick question i’ll be thankful if you answer,
me and my fiance study in Malaysia, my fiance completed English courses in one university and now wants to start degree in other university in gombak. previous university extended via for especial pass several times and now he need to exit and enter Malaysia, in order to submit the passport to new university for issuance of student pass, could you do a huge favor and suggest the most shortest (in time) and cheapest way to exit and enter Malaysia? maybe only for one night?
i really need your help, thanks
The quickest and cheapest visa run is to get a bus to Singapore and back – but try not to exit and enter on the same day, or to come back late at night, because officials at this crossing have a tendency to extract “fines” when they can. Evidence of onward travel arrangements (i.e. air ticket out of malaysia), helps enormously.
hi. thanks for the info.. I just want to know if i can process my extend visa in johor bahru immigration? go to kl is really far. is it possible?
Hi,
My bf’s 90 days visa is about to expire next month. Is it safe to exit in Singapore or Thailand? How soon we have to exit here in Malaysia? is it 2 days before the expiration date of visa or more? We plan to stay in SG or Thailand for 5 days to be safe but after that can we both easily back here in Malaysia???
I have a cousin sister visiting us; she is from China. Her visa is valid for 1 month only to stay in Malaysia. May I ask can she extend her visa to stay longer in Malaysia. How to do that?
Hello there… i really appreciate any advice from you guys….I am a citizen of the Philippines…I succesfully got 3-months visa in Malaysian Embassy at Philippines when i applied. Upon arrival in Malaysia, the immigration stampped me a 90 days stay in Malaysia. After 90 days passed, i had applied and granted another 2 months extention for my visa. Now the two months also come to an end. Is it possible i go exit to Thailand and apply again a 3 months visa in Malaysian embassy in Thailand even i am a citizen of Philippines? Because going back to my country and apply again is too expensive for me…Please help…thanks a lot.
Hi rhett,
we plan to apply visa extension tomorrow in putra jaya… wat reason do you state in the form?? Hope you can help me…
Thanks
Hi,
What would be the starting date of the granted social visit pass extension?
1) The Day after the Last day of the existing 30 day social pass.
(This way we get 60 days in total with 1 granted extension)
2) The day on which we go to immigration office for requesting extension ?
(current social visit pass’s remaining days are lost)
Thanks.
can u please give me the full address of the Immigration Office including the phone number? Is there only one, in Putrajaya? or is there another one in KL?
Hi Pat, thank you so much for sharing the info. I am just looking for an agent that can help me processing working visa.I just traveled to Malaysia on tourist visa to look for a job.I have computer animation expertise and I have applied for couple companies in Kuala lumpur and they all liked my work ,I just have problem with getting working permit since none of the companies are willing to apply for my working permit. I am just wondering if anyone knows an agent or someone who can help me.. I would appreciate any help and guidance.
hi Pat, i would like to ask u a question..is it possible to convert tourist visa into work permit?? without leaving malaysia? my bf is from India. *i hope u understand my question,i’m not good in english*
hi I am from india and I have 3 month toriest visa. but entry for 30 days. than my entry is finesh I am over stay in 5 days I have apply for special pass.. can u tell me after special pass may I go to Bangkok
sir ,
i have Malaysia visit visa for 1 month . i want to study so its possible or not .
please sir give me some advice what i do to continue study ?????????
i m waiting
best regard.
thanks
Safder ali:
If you want to study, you’ll need to apply to a university/college before the course starts. Get your visa approval before you travel to Malaysia. You can also apply for the student visa while you’re in Malaysia in your tourist visa. But it is always advisable to get visa approval before you come for studies.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Hi, thanks for the information.
Is there any other place in Malasya to do the procedure?
I am in Penang, I want to stay more than a month and I am a Mexican citizen, which means that to get into Thailand (closest border) when my Malay social visa expires I would need a Thai visa that costs a 1000 Baht (Which I would only use for 24 hours!) and I don’t want to go all the way to Kuala Lumpur. Please help!
Any time gap of coming to malaysia as a tourist? I visit malaysia for 14 days and back to cambodia. Can i come to malaysia again after 5 days from cambodia?
Hi there, my gf is from Japan and have been visiting me here in KL for many times until her passport is full of Malaysian chop..
But the other day she was stop by the immigration due to suspicionas working without permit. But no. She has just been visiting me and always been granted for a full 90days.
By preventing such events happening again, is it possible for her to extend her stay here? As her only reason is for me.
Pls advise..
Best regards.
Sorry but we’re not really sure — you’d have to check with immigration directly I think.
Hi, I thought visas had to be applied for at Putra Jaya office? But you have the Solaris Dutamis address at the end of the article… ? The article itself doesn’t once mention where the hq is, other than in the middle of nowhere…
Also I think the cost is actually RM100, isn’t it? 50 for visa and 50 processing fee… that’s what their website says anyway. I’m about to find out.
Hi Kate — Good luck and let us know how you fare — will update the story accordingly.
Cheers
Hello sir
My fiancee work in Malaysia and planning to come stay with him for 3 months
I have a free visa for 14 days only
Is it possible to extend my visa or visit pass once I wld be in Malaysia ???
Pls need you answer …thkx you very much
Hi, I want to ask something if you don’t mind. I’m a student from Indonesia in Malaysia. My student visa is going to expire on this 23rd of January. I couldn’t extend my visa as my next course only will commence on March. I’m suppose to go out from Malaysia before or on 23rd of January. If I’m going back to Indonesia/Singapore just for a few days, and later I will going back to Malaysia as a visitor (ASEAN visitor granted a free visa for maximum 30 days-if I’m not mistaken). Is this possible for me to come in as a visitor and not as a student ??I would like to stay until March to get my student visa in Malaysia.
Thanks in advance.
Please advice.
Dear Sir / Madam,
My wife and kids came from Sri Lanka, sri lankan passport holders arrived in Malaysia on the 10th Dec, and now they are at selangor. My kids are studying at one of the leading international school in malaysia and her visa school is handling. My nephew and my wife’s brother traveled with my family to arrange their accommodation and assist them and they will come back in about another 15-20 days.
They have to extend their visa for another 1 month…pls advise the documents that thye should bring and how they used come to reach there?
Thanks/ Regards
Rizmil Sinnen.
dear sir/madam,
i,m satyaght saha from bangladesh.i,m 17years old.
but i was still study at metro prima international college.6.jin prima metro prima,vista magna,
kepong.52100. kuala lumpur.
i has been study at kmp entersive english couses.
after that few month i have done semester that college.then i was interest to study at ranaco education and traning center in
Kawasan Perindustrian Jakar II,
24000 Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia.
Tel Office: +609-850 3160 ext 109/110
Fax: +609-858 4623
Website : http://www.reti.edu.my.
diploma in nautical studies plus watchkeeping officer (WKO).
but i have visa under kmp college until on 4/04/2013date
so i need to cancel from under kmp student pass visa and take from kmp relase&transfer letter 1st than i need to applay for spical pass visa for stay in malaysia until get my student pass visa from under ranaco education and traning center.
so my kmp college international depertment did for me spical pass visa 29/nov 2012 until 21 jan 2013.so i was hope that i will can get student pass visa between this 2month.but still i didn,t get student pass visa from immigration depertment.but kpt/jps they support my academy docoment.
but still pending at immigration depertment.
after ranaco education and traning center was try 1more time to get spical pass visa stay in malaysia until get student pass visa.but they get for 1month month spical pass visa until 13/02/2013.so now still i didn,t get student pass visa Approval leter from immigration depertment.
so may can i know how and when i will can get studnet pass visd approval letter from immigration depertment. now i also don,t heve more time about my spical pass visa. so please may can i get few more advise from here to get student pass visa approval letter for study in malayisa to get diplom°ree certificate.
thanks
satyaght saha
Sorry but we really can’t help you! This is a very specialised question I’m afraid.
hi, i want to ask u about vist visa for 90 days.. can pakistani vister extend their vist visa for 90 days????????? or not?????plz reply soon
Hi,
Im Algerian. Ive been granted a 30 days visa, but I did a lot of research saying that Algerian passport holders are granted a 90 days visa at the arrival which cannot be extended. The official website of the malaysian embassy in Algiers and so the malaysian immigration office webiste confirm that to me, however, that’s not what Ive been granted at the arrival.
Could you please tell me exactly where the immigration office is in KL, so that I go there to extend my visa?
Thanks
Hi,
I’m Namibian, my wife has a scholarship at a Uni in KL and has her stuff sorted. I surely want to accompany her to study at my own cost though. Is it advisable to come on a 30-day tourist visa, look for admission at any college/uni while in Malaysia and convert to a study visa once i find suitable admission from there. In case the study visa application takes longer that 30 days can i extend the tourist visa while in Malaysia?
Hi Guys,
My Wife is pregnant and my mom is in KL to help us out during this. but my mom is on tourist visa that here as i have planned to convert it to social visit once she arrives but somehow it got delayed.
can someone suggest as what I can do now, like
1-how to extend tourist visa
2-how many days exit is required if I plan to exit and enter again to malaysia
3-any other way round.
Hi,
I’m from the Philippines and currently on a business trip here in KL.
Does this apply to business trips?
Thank you!
I’m from Vietnam and travelling Malaysia for a month! I found the way to travel to Singapore overdate 1 day for my Social Visit Pass! Then I need to see Immigration Officer and they approved to Exit Malaysia. But on that day I had trouble when I met Singapore Immigration. I was not able to to enter Singapore. They send me back to Malaysia as my airline ticket from KLIA. I met Malaysia Immigration and I had a special visit pass for 7 days and a letter to KLIA.
Bcoz I ‘m planning to work in Malaysia as I had 6 years experience in HR feild. I have an appointmentfor my interview on the day when I need to leave Malay
Pls advice me if I want to stay more than 7 days what do I need?
Tks and kind regards
I’m really sorry Chris but we can’t provide that sort of advice! You’d have to check with the relevant authority directly to be sure I’m afraid. Good luck!
If for a requirement, I extend my social pass visa, shall it effect me in future for visa again?
Hi. I’m practical student from Indonesia. I undergo training in one telco company in KL starting from 29 April-28 May 2013. I entered Malaysia on 27 April (I need to search for accommodation and other thing that matters) and got 30 days social visit pass. It means, my visa would be expired on 27 May right, but my training period ends in 28 May and my return ticket is on 30 May. I should apply for the special pass as well or is there any suggestion for me?
chris lam,
u should go to thai border cross and then come back again with new pass.