Do French citizens need a visa for Malaysia?

No, not for a stay of less than 90 days in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, according to France Diplomatie. In Sarawak, you get a 30-day permit on arrival.

How long can French citizens stay in Sarawak?

France Diplomatie says Sarawak gives a 30-day permit on arrival, which is shorter than the stay of less than 90 days in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.

Can I stay in Malaysia for more than 3 months?

Not without a visa. France Diplomatie says a stay of more than 3 months needs a long-stay visa, applied for at the Malaysian embassy in Paris.

Do I need a return ticket for Malaysia?

Yes. France Diplomatie says you need a return ticket or a ticket for your onward journey.

Malaysia visa for French citizens: do you need one?

No. French citizens do not need a visa to visit Malaysia as tourists. France Diplomatie says no visa is needed for a stay of less than 90 days in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, and that Sarawak gives a 30-day permit on arrival. Before you go, check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your stay ends, book a return or onward ticket and fill in the free MDAC arrival card.

Checked against official government sources on 27 October 2026.

Visa for a tourist visit: Not needed
How long you can stay: up to 90 days
Arrival form: Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)

How to fill in the MDAC, step by step

Visa rules for a tourist visit

France Diplomatie, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs' travel advice (updated 15 September 2026), says French nationals do not need a visa for a stay of less than 90 days in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. On the Malaysian side, France is not on the Immigration Department of Malaysia's list of countries whose citizens must apply for a visa, and you are given a Short Term Social Visit Pass when you arrive.

An older document from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA, from around July 2020) lists France among the countries that need a visa only for stays of more than 3 months.

How long you can stay

France Diplomatie says less than 90 days, and the older MIDA document says 3 months. The difference is only in wording, but to be safe, plan to stay under 90 days.

Sarawak is different: France Diplomatie says a 30-day permit is given on arrival there.

For a stay of more than 3 months, France Diplomatie says a long-stay visa is required, which you apply for at the Malaysian embassy in Paris. It does not describe extending a short stay. The Immigration Department of Malaysia says an extension may be given only on special consideration, for example illness, an accident or war in your home country, with evidence and a confirmed ticket home or to a third country.

What to have ready

Passport: France Diplomatie says it must be valid for at least 6 months after the date your stay ends.
Return or onward ticket: France Diplomatie says you need one.
Fees: France Diplomatie lists no fees for entry, and the MDAC is free.

The arrival form

French citizens must fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within 3 days before arriving, and France Diplomatie says it is compulsory. It is free on the official Immigration Department of Malaysia website, and we have a separate page that walks you through it.

Common questions

Do French citizens need a visa for Malaysia?: No, not for a stay of less than 90 days in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, according to France Diplomatie. In Sarawak, you get a 30-day permit on arrival.
How long can French citizens stay in Sarawak?: France Diplomatie says Sarawak gives a 30-day permit on arrival, which is shorter than the stay of less than 90 days in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
Can I stay in Malaysia for more than 3 months?: Not without a visa. France Diplomatie says a stay of more than 3 months needs a long-stay visa, applied for at the Malaysian embassy in Paris.
Do I need a return ticket for Malaysia?: Yes. France Diplomatie says you need a return ticket or a ticket for your onward journey.

Entry rules can change at short notice, and the border officer makes the final decision. Before you travel, check Malaysia's official immigration website or your own government's travel advice.

Official sources

Every fact on this page comes from these government pages and official travel advice.