Malaysia

Government advisories

• ☐ United States: level 1/4 — Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
• ☐ United Kingdom: level 2/4
• ☐ Canada: level 1/4 — Exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories)

Health notices

• ☐ Global Dengue (level 1)
• ☐ Global Measles (level 1)

Entry requirements

☐ The visa policy of Malaysia consists of the requirements for foreign nationals to travel to, enter, and remain in Malaysia. Most visitors are granted visa-free entry for a period of 90, 30, or 14 days respectively. However, nationals from some countries must first obtain a visa from one of the Malaysian diplomatic missions around the world before being allowed into the country.

Practical

• ☐ Plug type C/G/M, 230V — bring an adapter if yours differs
• ☐ Drives on the left
• ☐ Emergency (police): 999
• ☐ Emergency (ambulance): 999
• ☐ Emergency (fire): 999
• ☐ Money: They can be used in most shops, restaurants and hotels, although skimming can be a problem in dodgier outlets. For credit card usage, make sure your credit/debit card is chip based as most merchants no longer accept magnetic strips based cards.
• ☐ Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Malaysia. A service charge of 10% is included in total bill in most air conditioned restaurants, but otherwise, you are not expected to pay anything more than what is stated in the bill. Most expensive restaurants, bars and hotels may indicate prices in the form of RM19++ ("plus plus"), meaning that sales tax (6%) and service charge (10%) will be added to the bill. Hote

Laws that could get a tourist arrested

• ☐ Homosexuality — Homosexuality is a crime in Malaysia. Gay and lesbian tourists should be discreet and avoid public displays of affection to avoid police raids.
• ☐ Caning Punishment — Crimes including rape, illegal entry, bribery, and visa overstaying are punishable by caning. This involves painful strokes from a thick rattan cane that can leave permanent scars.
• ☐ Bribery — Offering or participating in bribery is a criminal offense punishable by up to 20 years in jail.
• ☐ Visa Overstaying — Overstaying your visa is a criminal offense in Malaysia and is punishable by caning.

Before you go

General trip-prep, not specific to Malaysia — the same short list applies anywhere.

• ☐ Register with your embassy's traveler program if one exists
• ☐ Check your passport's validity and blank-page requirements on your destination's official entry-rules page
• ☐ Photograph/screenshot your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
• ☐ Download offline maps for your destination
• ☐ Confirm your bank/card issuer knows you're traveling
• ☐ Check whether your phone plan needs a travel add-on or a local SIM