Business travellers to Malaysia can now apply for eVISAs

According to Berry Appleman & Leiden's latest advisory, Malaysia’s eVISA programme is now available for business travellers as well. Previously, the eVISA and VISA-free programme was launched in March 2016, for tourists from China and India to travel to Malaysia easily.

Now, nationals from the following countries may apply for business eVISAs:

1. China2. India3. Sri Lanka4. Nepal5. Myanmar6. Bangladesh7. Pakistan8. Bhutan9. Serbia10. Montenegro

Permitted activities on a business eVISA, as with a consular business visa, are limited to:

• Visiting a current project site or factory floor for informational purposes with no hands-on work
• Attending contract discussions
• Attending seminars
• Auditing company accounts
• Journalism
• Factory inspection
• Carrying out investment opportunity surveys
• Sport competitions

Upon application, eVISA holders are entitled to stay up to a maximum of 30 days for each visit in Malaysia, while the eVISA is vaild for three months. Each application can only be used once and no extension is allowed.

Per the BAL advisory: "E-visas are often subject to greater scrutiny at Malaysia’s entry ports, and because the business e-visa is a recent change, applicants are advised that the safest option is to apply for a consular visa if possible and apply for an e-visa only for urgent travel."

Interested employers and employees can apply for their e-visas online, by selecting “e-VISA” –not “e-NTRI,” which is just for tourists.

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