Requirements for Malaysians

Malaysians traveling to France will soon need to obtain an ETIAS visa waiver prior to departure.

Currently, Malaysian citizens can visit France for up to 90 days without a visa, only a passport is needed. However, this is set to change from 2022 with the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorization System.

Whilst Malaysians will maintain their visa-free privileges, they will need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver in order to enter France.

ETIAS will complement the visa liberalization policy of the EU, facilitating border crossing and boosting security across European Schengen Area countries, including France.

Malaysians planning a trip to France from 2022 should, therefore, be prepared for the new visa waiver scheme and ensure they meet all the ETIAS requirements detailed below before applying.

ETIAS France Personal Information

Malaysians can apply for ETIAS France by filling in a short online form. Just a few personal and passport details are needed to successfully complete the questionnaire:

Full name as it appears on the Malaysian passport
Date and place of birth
Contact details, including an email address
Passport number, issue and expiry date

Malaysians should ensure all the information provided is accurate and error-free. Any mistakes or omissions may result in ETIAS application rejection.

There are also a few health and security questions to ensure travelers meet the ETIAS France requirements.

Once the form is submitted, ETIAS checks information provided against that stored in international security databases.

By pre-screening foreign visitors, the European authorities can prevent potentially dangerous individuals from entering France legally. Greater security for travelers and French citizens.

Documents That I Need for France ETIAS

The European Travel and Information Authorization System is fully online There is no need to present paperwork in person at an embassy or consulate, instead, any supporting documents are uploaded digitally.

To obtain an ETIAS for France, Malaysians must have the following:

A Malaysian passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of arrival in France
A credit or debit card to cover the ETIAS visa waiver fees
A current email address to receive ETIAS notifications

The approved ETIAS visa waiver is conveniently linked to the Malaysian passport, removing the need to carry around a paper permit. Because of this, the passport must be biometric.

Should the passport expire within the visa waiver’s 3-year validity period, a new ETIAS France application should be submitted. An ETIAS travel authorization cannot be transferred from one passport to another.

For this reason, to apply for ETIAS with dual citizenship, Malaysians should use the same passport which they will present when traveling to France.

Medical Info for Malaysians

Malaysians traveling to France should check the latest health information before departure. Whilst there are no specific vaccine requirements to visit the European nation, foreigners are advised to be up-to-date with routine inoculations such as the MMR vaccine.

Malaysians do not need to take out medical insurance in order to be granted an ETIAS. However, to explore the country with greater peace of mind, comprehensive health cover is recommended.

Prescription medicine carried from Malaysia to France should be kept in its original packaging and clearly labeled.

Malaysians can contact the emergency services in France by calling 15 or 112.

ETIAS Application for France for Malaysians

ETIAS France for Malaysians can be requested online in a few minutes. Applicants are required to complete a short form with the personal details and passport information listed above, as well as answering some health and security questions.

The final step is to pay the ETIAS visa fees using a debit or credit card, the request is then submitted for review.

Malaysian families traveling to France with children should be aware that minors must also have an ETIAS visa waiver to visit Europe.

How long does ETIAS France processing take?

Applications are first processed automatically. Traveler data is cross-checked against information stored in international security databases. Provided there are no hits in the system, the ETIAS France will be granted.

The vast majority of Malaysians will receive an approved visa waiver within minutes. At this point, an email notification is sent and the authorization is linked to the passport.

If something is flagged up during automatic screening, manual processing by the ETIAS Central and National Units takes place. Each case is studied individually and only when a person is considered a potential risk to the public will access to France be denied.

Malaysians traveling to France with ETIAS can stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. The permit is multiple-entry and valid for 3 years.

Another advantage of ETIAS is that the same visa waiver can be used throughout the Schengen Area. Malaysians can make the most of a trip to France by exploring other top European destinations including Spain, Italy, and Germany.