Travel requirements for Malaysia
Everything a UK traveller needs to know before visiting Malaysia — passport and visa rules, recommended vaccines with lead times, and whether you need an International Driving Permit.
Entry requirements for Malaysia
Passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you arrive.
Visas
You can visit Malaysia without a visa for tourism. You will normally be allowed to stay for 90 days on arrival.
If you want to stay for longer than 90 days or are not a tourist, you must apply for a visa from the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission before you travel.
The Malaysian authorities do not tolerate illegal immigration. Do not overstay your visa or violate the terms of entry. Even if you overstay for just a few days, you can be:
- fined
- detained
- deported to the UK at your own cost
- banned from returning to Malaysia
Detention facilities can be poor with limited healthcare. The British High Commission is unable to help you stay in Malaysia or issue any document to support your overstay.
Keep a copy of your passport and visa safe in case your passport is lost. It may take time to get a replacement visa. If you cannot show your original visa or entry stamp on exit, you may be treated as an overstayer.
Submitting an arrival card
You must submit an arrival card online to enter Malaysia. Do this before you travel – airlines may ask for it at check-in. If you are not passing through immigration, you do not need to complete an arrival card. See the Malaysian Immigration website for further information, including exemption details.
Entering East Malaysia
If you’re travelling between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (sometimes known as Malaysian Borneo and made up of the states of Sabah and Sarawak), you must carry your passport. You will pass through immigration control and must get entry and exit stamps.
Source: UK Foreign Travel Advice — Malaysia. Always confirm the latest requirements before you travel.
Vaccines for travel to Malaysia
Based on NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro guidance for UK travellers. Lead times assume protection is needed on the day you arrive.
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2 weeks before travelHepatitis A Recommended
Recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers.
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Tetanus / Diphtheria Recommended
Booster recommended if last dose was more than 10 years ago.
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2 weeks before travelChikungunya Consider
For ages 12+. Consider for outbreak regions, long-term or frequent travellers.
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Dengue Consider
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3 weeks before travelHepatitis B Consider
Intermediate/high prevalence. Recommended for those with sexual/blood risk, healthcare workers, or long-stay travellers.
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4 weeks before travelJapanese Encephalitis Consider
Year-round risk throughout Malaysia, highest in Sarawak. Recommended for rural visits, 1+ month stays, or frequent travellers.
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4 weeks before travelRabies (Pre-exposure) Consider
Pre-exposure for high-risk activities, remote areas, long stays (1+ month), or at-risk workers.
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Tuberculosis (BCG) Consider
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2 weeks before travelTyphoid Consider
Consider for those visiting friends/relatives, long-stay travellers, or laboratory workers.
Source: NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro — Malaysia.
Driving in Malaysia
To drive in Malaysia with a UK driving licence, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
IDPs are issued by PayPoint (no longer the Post Office) — find an issuing store.
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