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Malaysia

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
15,911
Top destination, 2023
Australia
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
34,392
UK visas issued, 2025
6,416
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
23.5%
NationalityMYISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<MYMALAYSIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
MY6<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Malaysia need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaNo visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day periodRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomNo visa; electronic travel authorisation (ETA) requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 90 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Malaysia move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Australia3,534
  2. South Korea3,300
  3. New Zealand2,502
  4. Japan2,313
  5. United States1,150
  6. Germany1,034
  7. Canada380
  8. Netherlands355
  9. Türkiye254
  10. Switzerland162
  11. France148
  12. Austria133
  13. Sweden129
  14. Hungary113
  15. Italy85

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

11k23k200020032006200920122015201820212023
11k23k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20005,792
20017,800
20028,320
20039,057
200410,787
200511,656
200613,496
200714,013
200814,460
200913,803
201013,489
201113,451
201220,057
201322,920
201419,237
201520,989
201614,152
201716,789
201816,697
201914,981
20208,395
20218,441
202215,430
202315,911
Share going to the top destination
22.2%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Malaysia who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Singapore1,553,249
  2. Bangladesh274,253
  3. Australia181,202
  4. Indonesia161,013
  5. United Kingdom66,932
  6. Brunei56,375
  7. Canada24,975
  8. Taiwan24,506
  9. New Zealand23,224
  10. Hong Kong16,481
  11. India11,283
  12. Japan11,275

Living abroad by year

1.22M2.43M19901995200020052010201520202024
1.22M2.43M19902000201020202024
Data table
1990663,690
1995891,900
20001,165,408
20051,283,218
20101,647,051
20151,916,776
20202,118,942
20242,433,875
Living abroad, 2024
2,433,875
Change since 2000
+108.8%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
63.8%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Malaysia by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B226,824
  2. C1/D1,635
  3. J11,339
  4. B1950
  5. A2766
  6. L1721
  7. F1686
  8. H1B361
  9. L2343
  10. C4/D399

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

24k47k201720182019202020212022202320242025
24k47k20172019202120232025
Data table
201728,837
201847,419
201945,003
202017,603
20215,820
202225,261
202343,580
202438,910
202534,392
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. F449
  2. IR544
  3. IR143
  4. E229
  5. IR228
  6. CR120
  7. F319
  8. F2B10
Immigrant visas, FY2025
285
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
136
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Malaysia who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Malaysia with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

2,0554,1102015201620172018201920202021202220232024
2,0554,110201520172019202120232024
Data table
20152,750
20163,380
20174,110
20183,050
20192,300
20201,900
20211,610
20221,570
20231,700
20241,640
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens770
  2. Employment-based preferences410
  3. Refugees and asylees370
  4. Family-sponsored preferences70
  5. Diversity visa lottery20
  6. Other classes10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Intracompany transferees (L-1)1,830
  2. Specialty occupations (H-1B)1,380
  3. Spouses and children820
  4. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)290
  5. Other temporary workers180
  6. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)50
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Malaysia)
1,640
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Malaysia)
1,010
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
79,760
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Malaysia (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Malaysia (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Study4,882
  2. Work1,094
  3. Other195
  4. Family150
  5. Visitor95

Visas issued by year

6,12012k201020122014201620182020202220242025
6,12012k201020132016201920222025
Data table
20108,606
20118,914
20129,443
201311,522
201412,240
201511,597
20169,886
20179,243
20189,142
20199,157
20205,049
20218,029
20229,587
20238,557
20247,185
20256,416
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
11,760
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Malaysia, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20254037536525045
202430475425375100
202345700590370130
2022044564529550
2021105430585400135
2020185425435235155
20195535650370140
20185495700430160
201710560655365215
20161546065536555
2015033563032045
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Malaysia, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

6581,3152005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
6581,3152005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–06793
2006–071,068
2007–081,247
2008–091,089
2009–10713
2010–11889
2011–121,147
2012–13943
2013–14781
2014–15741
2015–16723
2016–17728
2017–18616
2018–19556
2019–20504
2020–21490
2021–22807
2022–231,079
2023–24976
2024–251,301
2025–261,315
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills1,041
  2. Specialist Skills163
  3. Medium-term42
  4. Short-term41
  5. Labour Agreement28
Granted, 2025–26
1,315
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
1.9%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Malaysia living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

6,13312k2012201420162018202220242025
6,13312k2012201420162018202220242025
Data table
20127,848
20137,971
20148,288
20158,738
20169,084
20179,638
201810,368
201910,862
202211,045
202311,471
202411,968
202512,266
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident3,645
  2. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services2,914
  3. Student2,664
  4. Dependent1,034
  5. Spouse or Child of Japanese National644
  6. Highly Skilled Professional208
  7. Intra-company Transferee191
  8. Long-Term Resident182
  9. Designated Activities121
  10. Professor106
Residents, December 2025
12,266
In work-related statuses
3,826
Share in work-related statuses
31.2%
Students
2,664
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Malaysia

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Malaysia, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
France1,7411,12659234.0%
Netherlands1,01660036335.7%
Germany90367422625.0%
Italy65354710215.6%
Spain61860520.3%
Austria578565122.1%
Finland1581064931.0%
Belgium1571292214.0%
Czechia117962117.9%
Hungary91573437.4%
Poland81691214.8%

Applications by year

3,4366,8712009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
3,4366,871200920122015201820212024
Data table
20092,570
20102,971
20113,394
20123,567
20133,991
20144,356
20154,984
20166,794
20175,985
20186,603
20196,871
20201,112
2021446
20223,769
20235,384
20246,113
Refusal rate, 2024
23.5%
Refusal rate, 2019
17.3%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Malaysia in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Education1,487
  2. Work972
  3. Family663
  4. Other reasons272
First permits by country
  1. Ireland796
  2. Germany644
  3. France461
  4. Netherlands304
  5. Switzerland196
  6. Hungary122
  7. Sweden104
  8. Spain91
  9. Norway91
  10. Finland78
  11. Poland77
  12. Denmark70
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card144
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)259
  3. Researchers53
  4. Other paid activities516
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
282
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
359
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
3,833
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
90
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
23,006
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
859
Changed status into work, 2025
312
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
110
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
18
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Malaysia in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark2025884730902
Sweden2025551483300
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025431726
Austria20255672-16
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark47
  2. Sweden14
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Malaysia

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Malaysia, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Afghanistan1——
Algeria1——
Argentina1——
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Belgium1——
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Brazil1——
Chile1——
China13—
Colombia1——
Croatia1——
Czechia1——
Denmark1——
Ecuador1——
Finland1——
France1——
Germany1——
Guinea1——
Indonesia141
Ireland1——
Italy1——
Japan111
Kosovo1——
Kyrgyzstan1——
Mexico1——
Morocco1——
Nepal1——
Netherlands1——
North Korea1——
Norway1——
Palestine1——
Peru1——
Philippines1——
Poland1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Slovenia——1
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sweden1——
Switzerland1——
Syria1——
Türkiye1——
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1——
Uruguay1——
Countries
48
Missions
58
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Malaysia, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

4,4688,9352000200320062009201220152018202120242025
4,4688,935200020052010201520202025
Data table
2000342
2001367
2002435
2003571
2004802
20051,117
20061,365
20071,556
20081,329
20091,131
20101,103
20111,211
20121,294
20131,423
20141,580
20151,644
20161,604
20171,649
20181,686
20191,597
20201,427
20211,552
20221,618
20236,725
20247,607
20258,935
Remittances received, 2025
US$8,935 million
Share of GDP, 2025
1.9%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Malaysia, 2023
1.0%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Malaysia

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Malaysia → United States
  • Malaysia → Australia
  • Malaysia → South Korea
  • Malaysia → New Zealand
  • Malaysia → Japan
  • Malaysia → Germany
  • Malaysia → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more