Malaysia Visa Information

Passport/Visa

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	No	Yes
Australian	Yes	No	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No	Yes
USA	Yes	No	Yes
Other EU	Yes	No/1	Yes

Passports
A valid passport or other travel documents recognized by the Malaysian government are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. The former must have enough pages for the embarkation stamp upon arrival and be valid for at least six months at date of entry. The latter should be endorsed with a valid re-entry permit. If not in possession of a passport or travel document, a document in lieu of passport must be obtained from any Malaysian Representation Office. Holders of travel documents such as a certificate of identity, a Laisser Passer, a Titre de Voyage or a country’s certificate of residence must ensure guarantee of return to country that issued the documents or the national’s country of residence.

Visas
Not required by nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months; (1) nationals of Bulgaria may stay for up to one month.

Visa Note
(a) Nationals may still require a pass upon arrival, even if they are permitted to enter Malaysia visa-free. (b) Foreign women who are at least six months pregnant (unless in transit) may be denied entry. (c) All visitors must have proof of adequate funds and an onward or return sea or air ticket. (d) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).


Warning
Most visits to Malaysia are trouble-free, but 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.

Heavy rains in December 2006 and January 2007 have caused extensive flooding in Johor. Visitors should take local advice before traveling around rural areas of Johor. The main rail and road links from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore are currently still operating.

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

The most common problems for travelers in Malaysia involve bag snatches, gambling scams and drink spiking.

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

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever	No	1
Cholera	Yes	2
Typhoid and Polio	3	N/A
Malaria	4	N/A

Health Care
Health insurance is recommended. Hospitals are found in all the main cities and can deal with all major needs. Private hospitals, some managed and staffed by British-trained doctors and nurses, provide a high standard of medical care. In an emergency, dial 999.

Note
1
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 1 year of age arriving within six days from infected areas. Those countries formerly classified as endemic by the WHO are considered by the Malaysian authorities to be infected areas.

2
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Malaysia, although it may be required if traveling on to a cholera-infected country. However, outbreaks have been reported in Semphorna and Pulau Gaya, Sabah, in May 2005.

3
Typhoid risk exists, especially in rural areas. Vaccination again poliomyelitis and typhoid is recommended. There was an outbreak of typhoid in Kelantan in April 2005.

4
Malaria risk exists only in certain isolated inland regions. Urban and coastal areas are safe. The falciparum strain is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine and resistant to sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine. The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine.

Note
It is generally considered safe to drink water straight from the tap; however, as no authority is absolutely clear on this matter, the above advice is included as it reflects the necessity for caution for visitors who are unused to the Malaysian way of life.


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