Malaysia Entry and Travel Requirements
Entry requirements to Malaysia determine the rules that travelers must be familiar with before their intended trip as well as the necessary documents they must have before arriving in Malaysia.
Malaysia's visa policy also states that most incoming foreigners must apply for a visa before arriving in Malaysia, which can be obtained at the embassy or online. Currently, only citizens of 10 countries are eligible to receive the Malaysia eVisa. Citizens of other countries must apply for an embassy visa to enter Malaysia.
Malaysia's borders have remained closed for more than 2 years due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Since the pandemic began, the country has maintained one of the strictest entry restrictions in Asia, introduced to prevent the spread of new coronavirus infections.
The Malaysian government reopened the country's borders to international travel in April 2022, introducing certain measures and restrictions. Malaysia entry requirements may vary depending on your vaccination status, age and nationality.
Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to test negative before departure or quarantine upon arrival. On the other hand, unvaccinated arrivals must provide a PCR or ART test and undergo a five-day quarantine upon arrival. Additionally, each tourist must register his or her data through the MySejahtera app to receive the Tourist Card.
Read on to learn about quarantine, testing and vaccination requirements. Also check visa requirements and other travel documents you may need to gather before your trip to Malaysia.
Important! Due to the constantly evolving Coronavirus situation around the world, the requirements described below are subject to change at short notice. Be sure to stay tuned for the latest updates before your planned trip.
Who can enter Malaysia?
Since the country's borders reopened in April 2022, Malaysia has welcomed all international visitors, regardless of their vaccination status. However, fully vaccinated travelers can now travel more freely within Malaysia as they are no longer required to undergo Covid-19 tests before departure and upon arrival. They are also exempt from quarantine. Conversely, unvaccinated travelers may have to meet more complicated requirements to enter Malaysia, including testing and quarantine.
Document checklist when entering Malaysia
- Valid passport or other internationally recognized travel document
- digital COVID-19 vaccine certificate
- Valid Malaysian visa (if applicable)
- Covid-19 RT-PCR or ART performed by a specialist (only if unvaccinated)
- The tourist card is completed through the MySejahtera application
- Travel insurance (optional)
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Request an inspection
As of 1 May 2022, fully vaccinated inbound travelers are no longer required to take a Covid-19 test before departure and upon arrival.
Check before departure
Travelers aged 18 and over who are not fully vaccinated or have not been vaccinated are still required to have a pre-departure RT-PCR Covid-19 test or a professionally administered RAT. The RT-PCR test must be performed within 48 hours before travel, while the RAT test must be performed within 24 hours before travel. Only tests performed at internationally or nationally accredited laboratories or other medical institutions recognized by the Ministry of Health of the country of origin are accepted.
Check in after arrival
Under-vaccinated or under-vaccinated travelers must also undergo professionally administered RAT within 24 hours of arrival in Malaysia. Additionally, they must take an RT-PCR test on day 4 or a monitored RAT on day 5. The home monitoring order can only be revoked if the test result on day 4 or day 5 is negative count.
Important note:
Former Covid-19 patients who recovered 6 to 60 days before their expected departure date will be exempt from the pre-departure and post-arrival testing requirement.
Vaccination required
Malaysia does not require visitors to be fully vaccinated to enter the country. However, those who have received the full regimen of any WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days before their intended arrival in Malaysia will be exempt from the testing requirements. To ensure that your digital vaccination certificate will be approved, you can check it at mysafetravel@gov.my.
Quarantine required
Partially unvaccinated or unvaccinated travelers arriving in Malaysia will be required to quarantine on arrival for five days. Home Supervision Order (HSO) notifications will be sent digitally via the MySejahtera app. According to the HSO, these travelers will also be required to complete a professionally managed or supervised RAT within 24 hours of arrival and an RT-PCR test on day 4 or ATR on day 5 of quarantine their. An HSO recall is only possible when a traveler receives a negative test result. Travelers can quarantine at a hotel, private home or other designated quarantine accommodation without having to ask permission from the Ministry of Health to quarantine at home.
Traveling from Malaysia
Malaysian citizens, as well as foreign visitors leaving Malaysia, should check the destination country's travel advisory for specific requirements such as testing, vaccination or quarantine.
Some countries may still require travelers to declare their health before traveling and purchase travel insurance during the ongoing pandemic. You may also need to apply for a visa or other travel permit. Check the requirements for your desired travel destination before departing from Malaysia.
Traveling to Malaysia
Malaysia reopens to international tourists in April 2022. Travelers no longer need to obtain additional permission (MyTravelPass/MyEntry) from the Malaysian government to enter the country.
Current entry regulations into Malaysia may vary depending on the traveler's vaccination status. Fully vaccinated travelers can enter Malaysia without needing a Covid-19 test before departure or upon arrival. They are also exempt from quarantine requirements. In contrast, partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travelers must take a supervised RTK-AG test within 24 hours before travel and undergo a five-day quarantine upon arrival.
As Malaysia is currently moving into the endemic phase and continues to relax disease restrictions, entry requirements are subject to frequent changes.
Entry Rules for Children
Children aged 17 and under (regardless of vaccination status) can enter Malaysia without quarantine. They are also exempt from taking any tests before departure or arrival. They will only have to obtain a Visitor Pass through the MySejahtera app with the help of a parent or guardian.
Parents or legal guardians must also apply for a visa on behalf of the accompanying minor if they are from a non-visa-exempt country.
Transit through Malaysia
When transiting through Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia, you must confirm all transit arrangements for connecting flight(s) with your airline in advance of your planned travel. Make sure your luggage is checked throughout the trip. Also check if you need to report to the Malaysian immigration authorities.
Please note that you will not be allowed to leave the KLIA transit area between your flights. Additionally, transit flights are only allowed within 24 hours.
Travelers transiting through Malaysia are not required by Malaysian authorities to be tested for Covid-19 before departing for another international destination. However, they should check the specific tests and other entry requirements of the country they intend to travel to from Malaysia.
Visa requirements
Malaysia's tourist visa policy requires most foreigners to apply for a visa to enter Malaysia for tourism purposes.
Citizens of about 70 countries can visit Malaysia without a visa for tourism purposes. The allowed length of stay may vary depending on their nationality. Citizens of all other countries must apply for a visa before planning to travel to Malaysia. Visa applications can be made through a Malaysian embassy or consulate or through an online application (eligible countries only). Currently, passport holders from 10 different countries can apply for a Malaysian visa online. Other nationals from more than 160 non-visa-exempt countries must go to the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission and complete the visa application procedures in person.
Electronic visa to Malaysia
The Malaysian government introduced the e-visa system in 2016, allowing tourists from certain countries to obtain tourist visas faster and more conveniently.
Malaysia e-visa is issued as a single-entry visa and is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Its owner can stay in Malaysia for 30 days. The entire application involves completing a brief online form, paying the service fee, and downloading the approved issued visa to the applicant's email inbox. Eligible applicants can apply for a visa from the comfort of home using any electronic device with internet access.
Currently, citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply for a Malaysian e-visa:
- China
- India
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
- Burma
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- Bhutan
- Serbia
- Montenegro
MySejahtera
The Malaysian government has introduced the MySejahtera application created to help monitor the Covid-19 situation in the country. All arriving travelers must provide travel details, vaccination information and test results prior to departure (if unvaccinated only).
The pre-departure form must be completed before arriving in Malaysia. After completing the application, each traveler will receive a Tourist Card. This card will be verified upon arrival in Malaysia. The obligation to apply before departure applies to all travelers, regardless of age. Children under 12 years of age may be added as dependents on behalf of their parents or legal guardians. Adolescent travelers aged 12 and over using smartphones can create their own accounts through the MySejahtera app.
Travel Insurance
As of May 1, 2022, Malaysian authorities will no longer require travelers to have travel insurance. Previously, this was one of the conditions for entering the country. The decision to scrap mandatory travel insurance is just one more way the government is making it easier and more affordable for people to visit and enjoy all that Malaysia has to offer.
While this change is likely to be welcomed by many travellers, it should be noted that the country's authorities still strongly recommend that all visitors take out insurance for the entire period of their stay, including including the potential costs of Covid-19 treatment.
Given the current global pandemic situation, this is sound advice that all travelers should follow. After all, no one wants to be left without adequate coverage if they get sick while on vacation.
