Malaysia has partially reopened its borders to foreign tourists, allowing vaccinated visitors to travel to the islands of Langkawi ahead of the country’s full opening to tourism in January. The government advisory council announced that borders will be opened to all travelers to Malaysia starting from 1st April 2022. This marks the latest move by the Malaysian government after two years of closure.
Travellers who enter Malaysia in the last week of March will be released from quarantine on April 1, while currently, vaccinated travellers are required to take a PCR test before departure and a rapid antigen test upon arrival. The NRC chairman, Muhyiddin Yassin, agreed to the full opening of the borders as early as March 1 without the need for mandatory quarantine.
Malaysia is ready to welcome international travelers as borders fully open on 1 April 2022. The country is the latest to open its border to all international visitors after two years of closure. With the border open, it is expected that with the border open, the removal of many Malaysia travel restrictions will be eased.
The Malaysian government is also ready to welcome international tourists to its shores once again, with the announcement of Malaysia’s anticipated border reopening on 1 April 2022. As the country transitions to treating COVID-19 as endemic, Malaysia will begin its transition to the endemic phase and reopen its borders from 1 April 2022.
📹 When Will Malaysia Open its Borders to International Travelers?
IL Malaysia Correspondent Keith Hockton speaks to us from his home in Penang. He will update us on the situation within the …
Is Malaysia open for tourists now?
Malaysia allows all foreign travellers to enter the country without any COVID-19 vaccination status requirements. There are no pre-departure or on-arrival COVID-19 tests and no quarantine orders enforced by the Malaysian Government upon arrival. To enter Malaysia, foreign travellers must have a valid passport for over 6 months, obtain a visa if they hold a passport from a country requiring a visa, obtain a legalized statement from their GP for medication under the “opiumwet” “Malaysia Dangerous Drugs Act”, possess a valid return ticket, sufficient cash, and fill out the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card 3 days before arrival. The Royal Malaysian Customs Department’s Traveler’s Guide provides information on dutiable goods and tax rates.
Is MySejahtera still required to enter Malaysia?
As of August 1, 2022, travelers entering Malaysia are no longer required to complete the pre-departure form within the MySejahtera application.
What do I need to enter Malaysia 2024?
Malaysia requires a valid passport for at least six months beyond the date of arrival, and all travelers must complete the Malaysian Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) by January 1, 2024. The Malaysian Immigration Department is responsible for granting permission to enter and remain in Malaysia. Permanent residents, long-term pass holders, and diplomatic and official passport holders are exempt from this requirement. For more information, visit the websites of the Embassy of Malaysia in Washington D. C. The entry stamp must have at least one blank page.
Do you need to be vaccinated to travel to Malaysia?
Malaysia is recommended for certain vaccinations by the National Travel Health Network and Centre and WHO, including COVID-19, hepatitis A, B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and tetanus. The jab lasts three years. Malaysia’s tropical climate and large population make it a rich source of biodiversity. The country has a steady economy with some of the best records in Asia due to its natural resources and science sectors. Major cities include Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, George Town, and Klang. Vaccines are required for Malaysia.
When was the travel restriction lifted in Malaysia?
As of October 11, all Malaysian residents who have received the full vaccination course are permitted to travel within the country without restriction and to resume international travel.
What are the requirements to enter Malaysia?
As of December 1st, 2023, the Immigration Department of Malaysia has mandated that all foreigners visiting Malaysia must complete a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within three days of arrival. This rule applies to all travelers, except for Malaysia’s permanent residents, Malaysia Automated Clearance System pass-holders, Singapore nationals, and those transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance. Starting January 1st, 2024, the Malaysia international entry form must be completed within three days of arrival.
The form requires personal information such as name, nationality, passport details, date of arrival, date of departure, mode of transport, and last port of embarkation. Submitting the form is free of charge.
What do foreigners need to enter Malaysia?
In accordance with Malaysian legislation, all individuals seeking to enter the country are required to possess a recognized and valid passport or international travel document. In the event that a passport or travel document is not recognized by the Malaysian government, it must be replaced with a document that is recognized. The Immigration Department of Malaysia Headquarters may be contacted at the following address: No. 15, 1st to 7th Floor, Podium, Persiaran Perdana, Presint 2, 62550 Putrajaya.
How many times can I enter Malaysia?
A multiple-entry visa is valid for a period of one year, with each entry permitted for a duration of 30 consecutive days. It should be noted that extensions are not permitted. Applicants are required to demonstrate the availability of sufficient financial resources to support their intended stay in Malaysia and to present a valid return ticket.
What are the entry requirements for Malaysia in 2024?
Malaysia requires a valid passport for at least six months beyond the date of arrival, and all travelers must complete the Malaysian Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) by January 1, 2024. The Malaysian Immigration Department is responsible for granting permission to enter and remain in Malaysia. Permanent residents, long-term pass holders, and diplomatic and official passport holders are exempt from this requirement. For more information, visit the websites of the Embassy of Malaysia in Washington D. C. The entry stamp must have at least one blank page.
What are the new entry requirements for Malaysia?
Starting January 1, 2024, Malaysian international travelers must complete the MDAC entry form three days before arrival. The form requires personal information such as name, nationality, passport details, arrival and departure dates, mode of transport, and last port of embarkation. The registration and submission form is free of charge. The Malaysian Department of Immigration allows foreign travelers from 10 eligible countries to use the autogate facility for immigration clearance, including Australia, Brunei, Germany, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
📹 Malaysia should open its borders to international tourists latest by Jan 1, says Muhyiddin
National Recovery Council chairman Muhyiddin Yassin says the country’s borders should be opened to international tourists by …
Hi Keith. It has been quite awhile since your last article. So good to hear you say good things about Malaysia. And also how much you like it here. I have a couple of friends from UK and Australia waiting to come over here too. Unfortunately looks like covid-19 cases taking a spike now. Hopefully our health department able to contain and control the situation quickly. Otherwise I think by December would be unlikely will Malaysia open its International borders. Pray hard that this covid-19 will be over soon throughout the whole world.
“Malaysia opens up December 31 to international tourism as we stand today.” Can you provide a source? Because based on what I read Malaysia is only considering opening their borders to tourists from a few ASEAN countries some time during Q1. Moreover, Motac said opening their borders to general tourism was a Q2 event at the earliest. Therefore, I wouldn’t get my hopes up.
Hi Keith, I retired about 7 months ago and am interested in Penang as a possible retirement destination. But I am wondering about how you fill your days and make them meaningful there (something I have been struggling with the past 7 months here in the US). I have lived internationally in 5 different countries (all developing countries on 3 continents) so living abroad is very familiar. But I was always working and busy and had many friends and acquaintances in the expat community, a lot of whom were work contacts (either mine or my spouse’s). So I am wondering how that part goes for you as a former busy investment banker. Just as a bit of background, I did management consulting in the US for 20 years and then did economic development work overseas for the past 10 years or so. I like to play tennis a couple times a week, and swimming/walks on the beach/paddleboarding sounds great, but I don’t think I can do those things 8 hours/day, 7 days/week. Thanks for any insight you can offer.
Keith how could you fail to mention Tioman Island in your must see list of locations in Malaysia? I’ve stayed at Juara beach twice which is a slice of heaven IMO. I feel a bit sorry for locals being hammered by tourism. Guess it’s even worse for the wildlife. I love Vietnam but am contemplating setting up base in Penang due to Malaysia’s retiree friendly stance. May even buy a condo there. Enjoy your blogs.
Hi Keith, thanks for sharing. I read yesterday that MM2H is under question and it might be discontinued too. How true do you think this is? (Because I was looking into it before). And as for me, it’s definitely sad I can’t visit it, as I usually visit it few times a year. It’s one of my favourite countries, since it has a great balance of city and nature. But as I’m living in Spain, I think it’s going to be tough to visit it even after it reopens, isn’t it)). But looking forward to visiting Malaysia soon again.
Hello Keith. Been following your informative articles for a few months now. I know that you are more talking to retirees (I am 55, so not far off), but my small Consultancy Company have made an agreement with a couple of European bigger Companies to start up their business in Malaysia. It’s all been complicated by the virus and the following travel restrictions and my contract only starts when I have “feet on the ground” in Malaysia. I am now thinking about flying to KL and “bite the bullet”” and take 14 days quarantine in November and afterwards to get started hiring people ect.. But if there is a fair chance that Malaysia will open up as of Jan 1st 2021, I would rather wait of course. Another question is if the Malaysian Companies I will have to interact with, will they even want to see me, or will they be worried about a foreigner bringing corona virus into their office ? Any kind of advice would be very much appreciated.
Thank you for the update. Good article. I would love rent an apartment where you are staying in Penang with a view liked that. I was also thinking about Golden View Service Apartment. Your place kind of BIG. How much for a studio place cost where you are staying ?? Love that Sea view!! That is my kind of place.