Medical tourism in Malaysia: a guide for foreign patients (2026)

Foreign patients usually start with a hospital that belongs to the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), the Ministry of Health body that supports international patients. The hospital issues an appointment letter and an MHTC support letter; patients from countries that need a visa then apply online for a medical eVISA, which MHTC lists as taking 3 to 5 working days. Citizens of some countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, China and India, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Always request a written cost estimate before travelling.

Last updated 31 October 2026 · refreshed weekly

What MHTC does

MHTC (Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council) is a council under the Ministry of Health that guides international patients through treatment in Malaysia, from first enquiry to return home.
It lists member hospitals and clinics (we counted about 90 on its site, including hospitals and dental, eye, fertility, chiropractic and rehabilitation providers) and offers concierge support: documentation review, hospital communication, airport coordination and language support.
MHTC runs enquiry and appointment-booking forms, with a WhatsApp contact. Enquiries are handled Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (Malaysia time).
MHTC is a facilitator, not a treating provider. Medical decisions are made with your treating doctor.

Accreditation: what to check

Hospitals must be licensed by the Ministry of Health under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.
MSQH (Malaysian Society for Quality in Health) is the national, not-for-profit accreditor; it publishes a directory of accredited facilities on its website.
JCI (Joint Commission International) is an international accreditor held by some Malaysian hospitals. Check JCI’s own accredited-organisation search.
Accreditation terms are time-limited (typically three to four years, depending on the accreditor), so confirm the current status on the accreditor’s list instead of the hospital’s brochure.
Accreditation concerns systems and quality management. It does not guarantee results for any individual treatment.

Treatments foreign patients commonly seek

MHTC groups its care pathways into paediatric care, strength and recovery (cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics) and fertility and family. Other categories regularly sought include health screening, eye surgery (such as cataract and LASIK), dental treatment and rehabilitation. This is a description of services offered, not an endorsement of any provider or a prediction of outcome.

Area	What to ask
Heart	Which tests and procedures are included, on-site cardiothoracic cover, expected length of stay
Fertility / IVF	Cost per cycle including medication, retrieval, transfer and freezing; legal rules for your situation; results the centre publishes, broken down by age
Eye (cataract, LASIK)	Pre-operative assessment, technology used, follow-up visits included
General surgery / hospital stay	Room class, deposit, what a complication would cost and who pays

Visas and entry

Step 1: contact an MHTC member hospital. It issues an English appointment letter with your treatment details, and then an MHTC support letter for the visa application.
Step 2 (visa-required nationalities): apply online for a medical eVISA with a passport valid for at least six months, the appointment letter, the MHTC support letter, a return ticket, proof of accommodation and a passport photo. MHTC lists processing at 3 to 5 working days. Print the approval and keep a digital copy for arrival.
Visa-free entry: MHTC lists citizens of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, China, Japan, Mongolia, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal as able to enter for healthcare stays of up to 90 days without a visa. Check the Immigration Department for your own nationality.
Companions: up to two companions can accompany a patient.
Special Lane: patients of MHTC member hospitals can use a special immigration lane at selected entry points; the Meet & Greet service is listed at RM189 per person (tax inclusive), requested by the hospital at least three working days before arrival.

Visa rules differ by nationality and change. Fees and conditions here are as published by MHTC in 2026; confirm with MHTC and the Immigration Department before booking flights.

How to get a cost estimate

Send your medical reports to two or three member hospitals and ask for a written itemised estimate: doctor’s fees, procedure, room class, tests, medication, implants or consumables, and expected length of stay.
Ask what is excluded (complications, extra nights, ICU, follow-up in your home country) and what deposit is needed.
Note that Service Tax (SST) applies to non-Malaysian patients’ healthcare services (excluding doctors’ fees) from 1 September 2025, so check whether quoted prices include tax.
MHTC describes “transparent cost benchmarks” guided by the Ministry of Health; ask MHTC for the descriptive ranges it publishes.
Check your travel or health insurer: many policies exclude planned treatment abroad.
Arrange follow-up care and a copy of all reports before you return home.

FAQ

What is MHTC and how does it help foreign patients?

The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council is a Ministry of Health council that guides international patients from enquiry to return home, with documentation review, hospital liaison, airport coordination and visa support. It does not provide treatment itself.

Do I need a visa to travel to Malaysia for medical treatment?

It depends on nationality. MHTC lists citizens of countries including Indonesia, Singapore, China and India as able to enter visa-free for healthcare stays of up to 90 days; others need a visa or medical eVISA. Check the Immigration Department.

How do I apply for a Malaysia medical eVISA?

Get an appointment letter and an MHTC support letter from a member hospital, then apply online with your passport (valid six months), return ticket, proof of accommodation and photo. MHTC lists 3 to 5 working days processing.

How do I get a treatment cost estimate from a Malaysian hospital?

Send your medical reports to several MHTC member hospitals and ask for a written itemised estimate covering fees, room, tests, medication and length of stay, plus exclusions and deposits. Ask whether SST is included.

What accreditations should a Malaysian hospital have?

It must be licensed by the Ministry of Health. Many private hospitals are also accredited by MSQH, and some by JCI. Verify current status on MSQH’s directory and JCI’s website, not only on the hospital’s own pages.

Can I bring a family member for medical treatment in Malaysia?

Yes. MHTC says patients can bring up to two companions. A hospital can request MHTC Special Lane and Meet & Greet services for patient and companions, listed at RM189 per person.

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Sources

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Prices are typical market ranges and change often; always ask the provider for a written estimate.