How to Make QR Code Payments in Malaysia: Guide for Foreigners & Tourists

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Increasingly, payments by QR are the norm, allowing frictionless transactions which avoid the need to carry cash. If you’re planning a trip to Malaysia, you may like to learn about how to make a Malaysia QR code payment for foreigners.

This guide covers how to pay with a QR code in Malaysia step by step. Plus, we’ll also introduce Wise for paying in Malaysia with QR code or card, with the mid-market rate and low conversion fees every time.

What is Malaysia QR Code Payment?

If you’re visiting or relocating to Malaysia, paying by QR code is a convenient option for day-to-day expenses. Malaysia has its own unified national QR system called DuitNow QR¹ (easily recognizable by its pink branding). DuitNow QR connects the country's domestic bank apps and major e-wallets into a single system. To cater to foreign tourists, PayNet (Malaysia's national payments network) has integrated Alipay+² and selected regional central bank networks directly into the DuitNow ecosystem.

Just scan the QR with a compatible app to pay using your preferred method. Generally, to use a standard local DuitNow QR, you would need a Malaysian bank account or local e-wallet—but DuitNow QRs that are enabled for international cross-border transactions can be scanned using foreign partner apps, including the Wise app.

Where is QR Payment Accepted in Malaysia?

QR payments are more and more commonly used in Malaysia. In major tourist hubs and cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru, you’ll find pink DuitNow QR codes on display almost everywhere, from high-end shopping malls to local street food stalls, cafes, night markets, and taxis.

Uptake is increasing in more rural areas because QR codes are highly convenient for merchants, but it’s still a smart idea to have some cash on you if you’re traveling off the beaten path. Take along your Wise card for some free ATM withdrawals each month whenever you need cash on hand.

Malaysia QR Payment for Foreigners & Tourists

How you pay by QR depends largely on your length of stay and residency status in Malaysia.

Foreign Residents and Expats

Foreigners who have long-term residency in Malaysia can open a local bank account or register for local digital wallets. This allows you to link a Malaysian bank card. We’ll look at a couple of commonly used local wallets which offer QR services later.

Short-Term Tourists and Visitors

For short-term visitors in Malaysia, setting up a local bank account or registering for a domestic e-wallet can be a major hassle. An easy alternative for traveling is Wise. Instead of managing multiple regional apps, you can scan and pay seamlessly wherever you see a DuitNow QR code that displays the Alipay+ logo.

With Wise, you can choose to convert your balance to Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) before you travel to lock in a rate, or simply let Wise’s auto-conversion tool handle the exchange instantly at the mid-market rate when you pay.

How to Pay with QR Code in Malaysia

If you are wondering how to pay with QR code in Malaysia, the basic process is usually simple:

1. Look for a pink payment code at the merchant, and check whether it displays the DuitNow QR or Alipay+ logo.
2. Open the app you plan to use.
3. Scan the merchant’s QR code.
4. Check the amount and currency before you approve.
5. Confirm the payment in your app.

Scanning a QR code is straightforward; just ensure your payment app is compatible with the network the merchant is using.

Using Wise for QR Payments in Malaysia

You can use Wise to pay in Malaysia where you see an Alipay+ enabled DuitNow QR displayed. This is available in thousands of stores and restaurants, and local merchants.

1. Log into the Wise app and open your Card tab.
2. Swipe left on the image of your card to bring up Pay with QR code or Pay like a local.
3. Tap Scan QR code to open your phone’s camera.
4. Scan the merchant's DuitNow / Alipay+ QR code.
5. Follow the steps to confirm your payment amount.
6. You’ll see the transaction listed as completed in the Wise app.

It’s also possible to pay using a QR code you have saved as a photo to your phone. When you’re in the Wise app, follow the steps above, but select the option to Import QR code instead of ‘Scan QR code’ in step three. You can then open the photo of the QR you want to use, and follow the prompts to pay that way.

QR Payment Fees and Charges in Malaysia

The exact QR payment fees and charges you pay depend on the specific service you choose, as well as your funding method.

If you’re a foreign resident of Malaysia and use a domestic QR payment app with a linked local MYR bank card, there is generally no fee for the service³.

Tourists using traditional foreign credit or debit cards via international QR networks often face foreign transaction fees added by their home bank. In many cases, traditional card issuers add a fee of around 3% to payments processed in a currency different from the underlying account.

A good alternative here is to use Wise. Paying by QR with Wise is simple, and it allows you to skip foreign transaction fees and hidden exchange rate markups. You can spend directly from an MYR balance with no additional Wise fee, or leave your balance in whichever currency you happen to have and let the app convert to MYR at the point of payment. In this case, you get the transparent mid-market rate and low, upfront Wise conversion fees.

What Other Apps Can Be Used for Malaysia QR Payments for Foreigners?

Here are a few other wallets and digital solutions which are popular for QR payments in Malaysia. Some wallets may be suitable only for long-term residents or visitors from specific neighboring countries:

• Touch 'n Go (TNG) eWallet – The most popular e-wallet in Malaysia. It natively uses DuitNow QR and also partners directly with Alipay+ for seamless cross-border spending.
• MAE by Maybank³ – The digital banking app from Malaysia's largest bank, which allows residents to scan any domestic DuitNow QR code easily.
• DBS PayLah! / NETS⁵ – Convenient specifically for Singaporean tourists traveling to Malaysia, allowing them to scan certain DuitNow QR codes directly via regional cross-border partnerships.
• Wise: A global financial technology company offering a multi-currency account and debit card with direct cross-border QR code scanning.

Pay in Malaysia Like a Local with Wise

Whether you’re grabbing street food at a Jalan Alor hawker stall in Kuala Lumpur, shopping in Penang, or taking a weekend trip to Johor Bahru, Wise gives you flexible ways to pay while you travel. With Wise, you can:

• Scan and pay via QR: Use the Wise app to scan Alipay+ enabled DuitNow QR codes at thousands of merchants across Malaysia, as well as other supported QR codes across other Asian destinations.
• Tap and pay: Add your Wise card to Apple Pay or Google Pay for contactless payments.
• Make chip and PIN payments: Use your physical card to make payments.
• Withdraw cash when needed: Get free international ATM withdrawals up to $400 AUD (or equivalent) per month for those cash-only shops.
• Generate instant digital cards: Create virtual cards in seconds for safer online bookings or to use immediately with mobile wallets.
• Purchase discounted airport lounge access: Relax before your flight with access to 1,400+ lounges globally, bookable directly in the Wise app for up to 30% less than walk-in rates.

Whether you’re tapping your card in a boutique or scanning a QR code at a local hawker, Wise ensures your money goes further on every Malaysian adventure.

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