Travelling to China from Malaysia? Here’s everything that you need to know

Planning a visit to China from Malaysia? Now that borders globally have reopened after the covid pandemic, more and more of us are getting excited about that next trip abroad. But what do you need to know about travel to China from Malaysia in 2024?

This guide covers everything you need to get prepared to head off to the PRC, including visa options, registration requirements, and how much money you’ll be able to take over the border with you. Plus, we’ll introduce Wise and the Wise card for easier ways to manage your travel money, with low fees and the mid-market exchange rate. Let’s dive right in.

China entry requirements from Malaysia

Kicking off with some good news - a China travel restrictions update. Although China - like the rest of the world - needed to close borders during the covid pandemic, at the time of writing (8th January 2024), vaccination proof, Covid tests, and quarantine are no longer required.

Further to this, it was announced in November 2023 that visitors would no longer need to fill in a health declaration card, which effectively means that there are no more covid related entry restrictions to worry about.

That said, depending on your travel purpose and duration, you might still need to apply for a China visa from Malaysia - we’ll look at this later.

As rules and regulations can change abruptly, it’s important to visit the People’s Republic of China Embassy in Malaysia website for the latest details before you travel¹.

Do Malaysians need a visa in China?

It was announced recently that from December 2023 to November 2024, Malaysian citizens can visit the People’s Republic of China for up to 15 days visa free². This policy applies for ordinary passport holders going to China for business, tourism, family visits and transit. However, as this arrangement is set to be reviewed in the future, it’s important to check the full details on the website of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, to get the most up to date information before you plan your trip.

If you’re not eligible for visa free entry based on your visit purpose or length, you’ll need to apply for a visa³. You can find out all your options and the process to follow when making your application on the China Visa Website.

Temporary residence registration for visitors

All visitors will need to complete a temporary residence registration in China. If staying in a hotel, the hotel will complete the registration process for you. However, if you’re not staying in a hotel, you must register your temporary residence either online or at a police station within 24 hours of arrival. This applies, for example if you’re staying with friends or family, or in a private or rented apartment.

You’ll also need to check your registration is up to date for various other procedures such as extension of visa, or if any details of your travel documents change for example.

Register online

The registration rules are set by the National Immigration Administration, but administered locally⁴. In all areas, you’ll be able to register with the local police in person wherever you’re staying. However, many police authorities, particularly in large cities, have an online registration process - it’s worth looking to see if this option is available wherever you’re staying, to save time and get everything set up without even needing to leave your accommodation.

The required documents for registration vary from city to city, but some police authorities allow registration via WeChat which gives you a chance to double check the documents needed before you submit. You’ll always need your passport and visa, and some sort of proof of the place you’re staying, like a rental or lease agreement.

Register at any police station

If you can’t register your temporary residence online, you’ll need to visit your local police station in the first 24 hours of your stay⁵. Exactly what documents are needed can vary depending on where you are and what type of accommodation you’re in, and will always include your passport and visa, and then proof of accommodation such as:

• Your rental agreement if you’re staying in rented accommodation
• The home owner’s Household Register or ID card if you’re staying with a Chinese citizen
• A valid entry permit for the person whose home you’re staying in if they’re a foreigner

Flying to China from Malaysia

Most direct flights to China leave from Kuala Lumpur (KUL). You can fly from KL to more than 10 different cities in China, with varying flight times between 4 and 7 hours depending on location. Here’s a summary of how long it’ll take you to get to a few popular destinations in the PRC:

• Beijing - 6.5h
• Shanghai - 5.5h
• Guangzhou - 4h 15 min

What can I bring into China?

When entering or leaving China you’ll need to complete a declaration and pass through either the Green (nothing to declare) Channel, or the Red Channel if you need to declare restricted items.

As with any country, it’s crucial that you understand the rules well to avoid problems at the border. While most of the restricted items will be familiar from other countries, such as restrictions on the import of alcohol and tobacco, animal and food items, there are some unusual features you’ll want to know about⁶.

One important point to note is that visitors are only allowed to take up to 5000 USD or the equivalent of foreign currency, or 20,000 CNY in or out of the country⁶ without needing to make a declaration and pass through the Red Channel. This may well mean you prefer to find an alternative to taking your travel money in renminbi cash - we have a solution for you to consider: the Wise card, which we’ll look at next.

Get the full details about what you can and can not take to China from Malaysia on the China Customs website.

Stay within limits and save on Chinese Yuan transactions with Wise

Before you travel from Malaysia to China check out Wise and the Wise card as a smart way to spend while you’re in China, with the mid-market rate for currency conversion, and low, transparent fees⁷.

You’ll be able to open your Wise account for free, and order a Wise card for a one time 13.7 MYR charge. You can then top up your account in MYR and let the Wise card convert to CNY whenever you make a payment during your visit to China - and for those times that only cash will do, you can also use your Wise card to make cash withdrawals in the PRC.

One final tip to make your trip hassle free: Use Wise to transfer money directly to WeChat (Weixin) users and accounts, to get money transfers and payments done quickly. Check conversion rates and learn more here.

No matter what your plans are in China, you’ll need to get familiar with the China entry requirements and visa options from Malaysia. This guide covers all the key information you need - plus, it’s worth checking out Wise and the Wise card for ways to convert, spend and send CNY with low costs and the mid-market exchange rate, so you can do even more on your visit.

💳 Get your Wise card today!