Quick answer
Do Indians need a photo for Malaysia?
Not for short trips: Malaysia's Immigration Department lists Indian citizens as visa-exempt until 31 December 2026 for stays of up to 30 days, with a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card submitted before arrival. For an eVISA, the photo is 35 × 50 mm, head 30–35 mm, on a plain white background, up to 2 MB.
Malaysia's Immigration Department lists Indian citizens as visa-exempt until 31 December 2026, and the High Commission in New Delhi says the waiver covers stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, social visits or transit. You need a passport valid for at least 6 months, a return ticket, a hotel booking and a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) submitted online before you arrive. If you need an eVISA, the photo is 35 × 50 mm with the head 30–35 mm high, on a plain white background, in a file of up to 2 MB.
Malaysia eVISA photo size and requirements
| Size | 35 mm wide × 50 mm high |
|---|---|
| Head size | 30–35 mm from chin to crown |
| Margins | About 5 mm above the head and 5–10 mm below the chin |
| Background | Plain white for tourist and social eVISAs (VTR); the sample sheet shows white or blue |
| File size | Up to 2 MB for VTR applications (25 KB for VDR applications) |
| Pose | Full face, front view, eyes open |
| Border | None |
| Head covering | Only for religious reasons |
| Photo age and glasses | Not stated on the eVISA pages we checked |
These rules come from the eVISA portal's photo check page and its photo requirements sample. VTR means a visa without reference, used for tourist and social visits.
The visa waiver runs until 31 December 2026
Visa-free entry for Indian citizens is set to end on 31 December 2026, and we found no official announcement about what happens after that. If you travel in 2027 or later, check the Immigration Department's visa requirement page or the High Commission in New Delhi before you book.
Visa-free entry for Indians: what you need
The High Commission of Malaysia in New Delhi lists these conditions for the visa waiver:
- a stay of up to 30 days for business, tourism, social visits or transit
- a passport valid for at least 6 months
- a confirmed return ticket
- a confirmed hotel booking
- a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), submitted online "three (3) days before the arrival date"
You fill in the MDAC on the Immigration Department's website at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main.
When you need an eVISA
If your trip does not fit the waiver, apply for an eVISA on the Immigration Department's portal at malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my. The portal checks your photo when you upload it. For VTR applications, the maximum file size is 2 MB and the background should be plain white. The portal's sample sheet says photos that do not meet the requirements will be rejected.
Where the rules are silent, play safe
The eVISA pages we checked do not say how old the photo may be or whether glasses are allowed. A new photo on plain white, without glasses, avoids both questions.
How to prepare your Malaysia eVISA photo
- Check whether you need an eVISA. For trips of up to 30 days until 31 December 2026, Indians can enter visa-free with an MDAC. Apply for an eVISA only if your trip does not fit the waiver.
- Take a photo on plain white. Face the camera with your eyes open, with nothing on your head unless you wear it for religious reasons.
- Crop it to 35 × 50 mm. Keep the head 30–35 mm high, with about 5 mm above the head and 5–10 mm below the chin, and no border.
- Upload a file of up to 2 MB. Upload it on the eVISA portal and fix anything the photo check flags.
Sample photos
Samples show pose, lighting and background. Crop your own photo to the Malaysia visa size.
Malaysia visa photo FAQ
Not for short trips until 31 December 2026. Indian citizens can stay up to 30 days visa-free for business, tourism, social visits or transit, with a passport valid for 6 months, a return ticket, a hotel booking and a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card.
35 mm wide by 50 mm high, with the head 30–35 mm from chin to crown, on a plain white background and with no border.
Up to 2 MB for VTR applications, the type used for tourist and social visits. The portal gives 25 KB for VDR applications.
The portal's sample sheet shows white or blue, but the photo check for VTR applications says to use a plain white background. Use white.
We found no official announcement yet. Check the Immigration Department of Malaysia or the High Commission in New Delhi before you travel.
Official sources
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: Visa requirement by country
- High Commission of Malaysia, New Delhi: Requirements for foreigners
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: eVISA portal
- Immigration Department of Malaysia: Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)
Last checked . Requirements and fees can change, so always confirm with the issuing agency before you apply. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency.