South Korea Visa Requirements for Malaysian Citizens (2026)
No — Malaysian citizens can enter South Korea without a visa. Maximum stay: 90 days. Every number on this page carries the date we last verified it.
Specifically for Malaysian passport holders
- •Malaysian citizens can stay up to 3 months (90 days) under the visa-exempted (B-1) category. [1]
Required documents
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of arrival
- K-ETA approval (KRW 10,000, apply at k-eta.go.kr or the K-ETA mobile app) [5]
- Return or onward ticket from South Korea
- Proof of sufficient funds for stay
- Q-Code (quarantine) submitted online before arrival
- Scanned images of passport pages and a digital colour photograph (3.5cm x 4.5cm) [2]
Fees & processing
| Processing | ~90 working days |
|---|
From official-portal extracts (captured ):
- •KRW 10,000 (approximately USD 7–8) per person for the K-ETA application and examination. [6]
- •An additional online payment processing fee of about 3% may apply when paying. [6]
- •The fee is non-refundable regardless of the examination outcome. [6]
How to apply
- Visit k-eta.go.kr or the K-ETA mobile app to begin your application. [5]
- Agree to the terms and conditions, then verify your email. [8]
- Enter your passport information and complete the application form. [8]
- Pay the KRW 10,000 fee (approximately USD 7–8) via VISA, MASTER, JCB, AMEX, Diners Club, DISCOVER, UnionPay or Alipay+. [6]
- Wait for the assessment result, typically within 72 hours. [5]
- Check your K-ETA status and update travel information if needed before departure. [5]
Before you fly
- •You must have a K-ETA approval before boarding your flight; you can apply up to 24 hours before departure. [5]
- •Be cautious of phishing sites that charge inflated fees under the pretext of providing expedited K-ETA services. [5]
- •A returned or onward ticket is required for entry.
Full South Korea entry guide — customs, health, long stays — on the destination page.
Watch out for
Malaysian citizens can enter South Korea as a short term visit (e.g., tours, visiting relatives or friends, attending simple meetings) up to 90 days without a visa, though you should remain aware of the quarantine requirements. You must also have an onward or return ticket. It is illegal to work on a tourist visa, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.
You must be in possession of a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) to enter Korea visa-free. You can complete your K-ETA application up to 24 hours before boarding your flight and it will be valid for 3 years from the date of approval. There is a small, non-refundable charge.
Overstay: 2009 saw concern raised over Chinese nationals who overstayed their visas.
It is illegal to work on a tourist visa, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.
If your card’s overseas payment option is blocked, the K-ETA fee may not be processed successfully; contact your card issuer beforehand. [6]
If you renew your passport after receiving K-ETA approval, you must re-apply for a new K-ETA. [10]
Recent changes
- · upcomingOn 25 February 2026, South Korea announced that it will be expanding the tour group visa-free policy towards citizens of Indonesia in the future.
- · confirmedQatar
- · confirmedUnited Arab Emirates
- · confirmedKazakhstan
- · confirmedRussia
- · confirmedUruguay
- · confirmedVenezuela
- · confirmedJapan
- · confirmedChile
- · confirmedGuatemala
- · confirmedLatvia
- · confirmedBrazil
Policy updates affecting this route
- · confirmedE-9 workers were assigned to a specific site; transfer to another site permitted only in limited cases → Allowed to transfer to another site belonging to the same construction company (same employer) where the new site meets E-9 requirements — South Korea loosens E-9 worksite transfer rules
Frequently asked
How long can Malaysian citizens stay in South Korea?
Up to 90 days visa-free.
What documents are required?
Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of arrival; K-ETA approval (KRW 10,000, apply at k-eta.go.kr or the K-ETA mobile app); Return or onward ticket from South Korea; Proof of sufficient funds for stay; Q-Code (quarantine) submitted online before arrival.
What happens if I overstay in South Korea?
2009 saw concern raised over Chinese nationals who overstayed their visas.
How long does K-ETA processing take?
Generally within 72 hours. A notice about delays in Gmail email reception was posted in March 2026.
Can I upload a photo wearing a hijab for K-ETA?
This question is listed in the K-ETA FAQ, so check the portal for the current policy before applying.
Do I need a new K-ETA if my occupation changes after approval?
This is a frequently asked question on the K-ETA portal; verify whether an update or re-application is required.
Sources & last verified
Fact data cross-checked against English Wikipedia “Visa requirements for Malaysian citizens” and “Visa policy of South Korea”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 — attribution, not copied text.
Official-source extracts captured : [1] k-eta.go.kr [2] visa.go.kr [3] visa.go.kr [4] visa.go.kr [5] k-eta.go.kr [6] k-eta.go.kr [7] visa.go.kr [8] k-eta.go.kr [9] visa.go.kr [10] k-eta.go.kr [11] visa.go.kr [12] visa.go.kr [13] k-eta.go.kr [14] visa.go.kr [15] visa.go.kr [16] visa.go.kr [17] visa.go.kr [18] visa.go.kr. Attribution to the publishing agencies; every bracketed number above points to its row here.
Last verified: . Entries, fees and rules change — confirm on the official portal before you travel.
This is general travel information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change and enforcement varies at the border — always confirm on the official portal before you travel.