How can foreigners use Malaysia Payment Services?

Foreigners (non-Malaysian citizens) using local payment services in Malaysia need to choose the appropriate option based on their status and length of stay. Below are the specific guidelines:

I. Short-term visitors (with tourist visas)

1. Cash and credit cards

   • Visa/Mastercard international credit card recommended (accepted at most merchants)
   • Airport/Urban Exchange for Malaysian Dollars (RM), note the comparative exchange rates

2. electronic wallet (e.g. for money)

   • Touch 'n Go eWallet(most commonly used):
     • Purchase and register prepaid cards at convenience stores with your passport
     • Single top-up limit RM1,000, balance limit RM5,000
     • Support e-commerce payment such as Lazada/Shopee etc.
   • GrabPay::
     • Bundle your international credit card to use taxi/takeaway services

3. Cross-border payments

   • Alipay+/WeChat Pay is now available in some shopping malls
   • BigPay Prepaid Card (under AirAsia) is available for overseas application.

II. Long-term residents (work/student visa)

1. Bank account opening

   • Required documents: passport + valid visa + proof of address + proof of employment / letter of acceptance
     -Recommended banks: Maybank/CIMB (many branches), RHB/Hong Leong are more friendly to students.

2. Advanced Electronic Payments

   • DuitNow interbank transfer system: need to open a Malay bank account first
     Boost eWallet can be registered via local mobile phone number, supports utility bill payments

⚠️ Important Restrictions to Know ⚠️

• Full-featured e-wallet only available to MyKad ID card holders
• Apps such as MAE by Maybank require local SIM card activation
• Wise/Revolut and other international tools withdrawal rates of about 1%-3%

💡 Practical advice💡

- Currency exchange counters and SIM card kiosks are available on the arrivals level of KLIA Airport.
- Pavilion/KLCC and other large shopping malls generally accept UnionPay cards.
- TNG RFID stickers enable sensorless motorway payments

It is advisable to choose a plan according to the length of stay: "cash + TNG e-wallet" for short-term trips, and a bank account for long-term stays. For large purchases, it is recommended to use a credit card with no currency conversion fees.

Advanced Guide for Foreigners Using Malaysia Payment Services

C. Recommended payment methods for different scenarios

1. Daily consumption (catering/convenience shops)

   • Cash (RM): small vendors, night markets still cash-based
   • Touch 'n Go eWallet: 7-11, KK Mart and other chains support code-sweeping payments
   • GrabPay: Some restaurants can place and pay for orders through GrabFood

2. Transport

   • Touch 'n Go card (physical card): Essential for metro (MRT/LRT) and buses; top-ups can be purchased at stations or convenience stores.
   • Grab taxi/car hireBundled international credit card direct debit, avoiding the hassle of cash change

3. Online Shopping & Subscription Services

   • Lazada/Shopee online shopping: you can tie up your local bank card or pay with TNG eWallet/BigPay
     take note ofSome items are only available to MyKad subscribers (e.g. prepaid SIM cards).
   • Netflix/Spotify subscriptions suggest international credit cards to avoid regional restriction issues

4. Cross-border remittances and receipts

   Programme Comparison:
   
   1️⃣ Wise (formerly TransferWise) → Best exchange rate for RM ↔ FX conversion!
   
   2️⃣ BigPay → can receive international money transfers (IBAN required), but withdrawal fees are higher!
   
   3️⃣ Western Union → many offline outlets, fast arrival but poor exchange rate
   
   

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A) ❓

✅ Q1: "Can I sign up for e-wallet without a Malaysian mobile number?"
→ TNG eWallet must have a local number; BigPay/GrabPay can be registered with a foreign number + passport.

✅ Q2: "Can I apply for a Malaysian bank account with a tourist visa?"
→ Usually not! Long-term visa (work/student visa) of at least 6 months is required.

✅ Q3: "How can I exchange foreign currency into RM most cheaply?"
→ Wise Online Exchange > Mid Valley Mall Exchange > KLIA Airport Counter

✅ Q4: "Which banks are the most friendly to international students?"
📌 Public Bank - low minimum deposit requirement (RM20)
📌 CIMB - APP English Interface Improvement
📌 Maybank MAE - ATM up to but requires local SIM activation

🚨 Pit avoidance reminder 🚨

▸ Touch 'n Go balances cannot be refunded! Multiple top-ups in small amounts are recommended
▸ LCCT Cheap Terminal ATMs often run out of cash, get cash downtown in advance
▸ Airbnb hosts may require Bank Transfer transfers - be sure to check account authenticity!

If you need more specific steps (e.g. how to bind a foreign credit card in Lazada), you can tell me your usage scenario to help you refine the solution~