Before you travel to a foreign country, including Malaysia, the most important thing that you need is a valid visa. The Malaysian government has set different visa policies for different nationality holders.
While some foreign citizens can enter Malaysia visa-free, others must obtain a valid travel document! In this article, we have discussed about Malaysian visa requirements for Ethiopian citizens and how to apply for this travel document.
So, without further ado, let's get into it!
Do Ethiopian Citizens Need a Malaysia Visa?
Unfortunately, Ethiopian nationals are not eligible for Malaysian visa exemptions. So, all Ethiopian passport holders must obtain a valid visa prior to entering the country.
To Ethiopian citizens, Malaysia offers two types of visas: tourist visas and business visas. As the name suggests, a tourist visa is valid for tourism and leisure purposes. Holders of a Malaysia tourist visa can enter the country to:
Meet with friends or family members
Spend holidays
Explore the country
Alternatively, if Ethiopian citizens want to visit Malaysia for professional or commercial activities, they can apply for a business visa. This one is valid for those who want to enter Malaysia to:
Attend seminars or conferences
Meet with business associates
Enroll in a training program
Generally speaking, Malaysia offers short-term visas to Ethiopian nationals. These documents usually allow holders to stay in the country for 30 consecutive days within a 90-day period!
How to Apply for a Malaysia Visa from Ethiopia?
Ethiopians cannot get a Malaysia electronic visa. This means you must obtain a travel document by visiting the Malaysian embassy in person. This approach is certainly not convenient. Plus, you may have to spend an entire day just to get your Malaysian visa.
To get a Malaysia visa, applicants are required to follow the following step-by-step guide:
Visit the nearest Malaysia embassy
Fill out the Malaysia visa application form
Provide the required documents; mentioned below!
Pay the visa processing fee
Submit your application
Once you submit your application, the Malaysian embassy will process your application. Upon approval, you'll be notified via email. Afterward, pick up your passport from the Malaysian embassy and travel to Malaysia!
Required Documents
To complete the visa application process, Ethiopian nationals are required to provide some necessary documents, such as:
Visa Application Form - An error-free visa application form filled with your personal, contact, travel, and passport details.
Valid Passport - A copy of the applicant's valid passport with at least 2 blank pages and 6 months of remaining validity.
Passport Photo - A digital passport-style photograph, with a white background, preferably taken within the last 6 months.
Health Document - All international travelers entering Malaysia must have a PCR test result or COVID-19 vaccination certificate. The final dose of your vaccination must be taken at least 14 days prior to the departure date!
Proof of Accommodation - A copy of your hotel bookings or any other lodgings. Plus, you'll also need to provide a copy of your round-trip tickets for Malaysia.
Invitation Letter - If you are visiting Malaysia to meet with relatives, you are required to provide an invitation letter issued by the host. Alternatively, for business purposes, applicants must provide a business invitation letter issued by the sponsoring company located in Malaysia.
Bank Statement - A recent bank statement of the applicant. The statement must clearly state the info about the application, such as name and surname.
Besides these, you will also need payment methods to pay the embassy fee and visa service fee. In addition, you may have to provide some additional documents. So, contact the Malaysian embassy and find out the visa requirements prior to submitting your application.
Visa Application Form
A Malaysia visa application form is the most important document required to apply for a travel document. To fill out the visa application form, you're required to provide the following details:
Personal Details - Name and surname, place of birth, date of birth
Contact Details - Phone number and email address
Passport Details - Passport number, passport issue and expiry dates
Travel Details - Intended date of entry
Before you submit your visa application, make sure to double-check the provided data. This is because if there are errors or mistakes in your application, your e-visa will most likely be delayed or denied by the Malaysian embassy!
Travel to Malaysia - Entry Requirements
Once you get your Malaysia visa, you can pack your bag and enter the country by air. Keep in mind that a visa does not guarantee your entry to the country. The final decision will be made by the immigration officer. So, make sure to fulfill all the entry requirements while traveling to Malaysia.
The entry requirements for Malaysia vary from applicant to applicant. Therefore, it's recommended to contact the embassy to get additional information!