Malaysia Travel Guide

Malaysia — Passport and Visa Information

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Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
British	Yes	No	Yes
Australian	Yes	No	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No	Yes
Other EU	Yes	No	Yes
USA	Yes	No	Yes

Passports should be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival in Malaysia.

Visas

For a visit of less than three months, citizens of the UK, America and nations in the European Economic Area can obtain a free single-entry visa on arrival at the main international airports and land border crossings. Citizens of other countries may require a tourist visa â€“ full details are provided by the Department of Immigration (www.imi.gov.my).

Visa Note

(a) Nationals may still require a pass upon arrival, even if they are permitted to enter Malaysia visa-free. (b) All visitors must have proof of adequate funds and an onward or return sea or air ticket. (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Single/Multiple-entry: On arrival, free (90 days), RM6-RM20 (over three months) - see www.imi.gov.my for more details including transit visa fees.

Validity

Single-entry visas are valid for three months from date of issue. Multiple-entry visas are valid for one year from date of issue.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Important Addresses.

Travel Warnings

Most visits to Malaysia are trouble-free.

Malaysia shares with the rest of south-east Asia a threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

It is believed that terrorists and criminal elements are continuing with plans to kidnap foreign tourists from the islands and coastal areas of Eastern Sabah. Action taken by the Philippines Armed Forces in January 2007 against terrorist groups in the southern Philippines may heighten this risk. Boats traveling to and from offshore islands and dive sites are possible targets. Travelers who wish to visit resorts on, and islands off, Eastern Sabah should exercise extreme caution.

Malaysia has periodic problems with air quality reaching hazardous levels because of smoke haze.

Travelers planning to travel over the border to Thailand should be aware that there has been a resurgence of terrorism in southern Thailand, particularly in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. All but essential travel to these Thai provinces is advised against. Travelers should also maintain high levels of vigilance when traveling to, or through, the neighboring province of Satun. There have been reports that Thai military presence in Satun is being increased due to insurgency fears.

Malaysia is a multicultural but predominantly Muslim country, and as such visitors should respect local social conventions. During the fasting month of Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims. As a courtesy, visitors may wish to avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public places.

Travelers should not become involved with drugs of any kind: possession of even very small quantities can lead to imprisonment or the death penalty.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

Health insurance is recommended. Hospitals are found in all the main cities and can deal with all major needs. Private hospitals provide a high standard of medical care. In an emergency, dial 999.