[UPDATED] Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to Malaysia

Matt Olivares

Last updated 18 Mar 2022

Photo credit: Muhammad Faiz Zulkeflee on Unsplash

IMPORTANT NOTE: Be a responsible traveler! All information on this post is accurate from the time of writing. Rules, regulations, and guidelines are updated frequently and may change without Klook’s prior notice. For your safety, check with the respective destination directly before your travels.

NOTE REGARDING MYSEJAHTERA APP: Travelers are no longer required to fill out the Traveler's Card via the MySejahtera app.

Malaysia is slowly opening travel for everyone

Malaysia is quite a beautiful country and is a wonderful destination for both urban explorers and nature lovers. With its bustling cities full of festivities and hidden gems, as well as scenic beaches and tranquil mountain trails, there’s no shortage for tourists to enjoy!

In order to let people enjoy the wonders the country has to offer, the Coronavirus Recovery Council of the country recommended having the country’s borders reopen as early as 1 March 2022 without requiring mandatory quarantine for tourists, according to a report by Reuters on 8 Feb 2022. However, due to the rise of COVID-19 variants, this won’t push through yet. Quarantine rules must still be followed.

Malaysia Travel Restrictions

As of 25 February 2022, only the following categories of travelers are allowed to enter:

Malaysian nationals
Non-Malaysians holding valid Malaysian long-term visit passes (they can enter without immigration clearance with the MyTravelPass)

If you do not have MyTravelPass, you’ll have to apply for them before flying to Malaysia. We have detailed instructions as to how you can apply.

Malaysia Travel Requirements

Aside from having a MyTravelPass, you’ll need to follow some requirements and procedures (updated as of 1 May 2022):

For Fully Vaccinated Travelers and Children aged 0-12:

Pre-departure RT-PCR tests are no longer required
They don't have to take a supervised RTK-AG Test within 24 hours upon arrival
They don't have to quarantine
No COVID-19 travel insurance required

For Partially Vaccinated/Unvaccinated Tourists aged 0-17:

They must take a negative pre-departure RT-PCR Test two days before departure
They must take a supervised RTK-AG Test within 24 hours upon arrival
They don't have to quarantine
No COVID-19 travel insurance required
Travelers below the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parents or guardians. Parents or guardians must be fully vaccinated

For Partially Vaccinated/Unvaccinated Tourists aged 18+:

They must take a negative pre-departure RT-PCR Test two days before departure
They must take a supervised RTK-AG Test within 24 hours upon arrival
They have to quarantine for 5 days
No COVID-19 travel insurance required

But what if you had COVID-19 and recovered fairly recently? Are you allowed to travel to Malaysia? Yes, as long as you are able to present the following:

Official documentation that you have been fully vaccinated
A printed/digital document that proves you had been infected 11-60 days before arriving in Malaysia
If you were hospitalized due to COVID-19, you must provide a “fit to travel’ letter written by the person who treated you at the hospital you were admitted into
If you were treated at home or in an isolation center, you must take an RTK-Antigen Test 2 days before arriving in Malaysia. Only those who tested negative are allowed to enter

In the event that you got COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated and have fully recovered from it, you are not required to undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival. If you were infected and have recovered but not fully vaccinated or not vaccinated at all, you will be required to quarantine at the quarantine station for 7 days.

If Malaysia is your layover flight area, you don’t have to get clearance through MyTravelPass. You just need to follow the entry requirements of the country you’re heading to.

Travel to Malaysia from High-Risk Countries

As of this writing, this is the current list of countries designated as High-Risk because of the COVID-19 omicron variant:

Australia
Botswana
Canada
Denmark
Eswatini
France
India
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
United States of America
United Kingdom
Zimbabwe

If you’re coming from any of these countries, there are a few requirements and procedures that you need to follow:

You must be able to provide a negative RT-PCR Test taken 2 days before your departure
Upon arrival in Malaysia, you must undergo an RT-PCR Test
You will also be required to quarantine at a designated quarantine center or home quarantine (the latter being subject to approval) upon arrival
You’ll be required to wear a digital tracking device at all times during your quarantine period
You must also take RT-PCR Tests on days required by MOH (Ministry of Health)
A risk assessment will be conducted on the last day of your quarantine

FAQs regarding traveling to Malaysia

Q: Do I have to shoulder any of the fees associated with the mandatory quarantine (e.g. screening tests, transport, meals, handling, etc.)?

A: Yes, you have to shoulder all associated fees. Payment for all these can be done via the MySafeTravel System or the MyQR phone app. We recommend that you pay via either of the two before arriving to avoid airport congestion.

2. Q: If I’m eligible for Home Quarantine, when should I apply for it?

A: You can apply via the Ministry of Health Malaysia’s official website. You must do so within 4-10 days before your departure. The approval for this will be subject to the ministry’s risk assessment.

3. Q: Aside from negative test results and proof of vaccination, what else do I have to bring?

A: Make sure to install the MySejahtera at the international arrival. This app will be used for contract tracing purposes. It was designed by the Government of Malaysia in order to help users assess their health risk against COVID-19. This, in turn, helps the Government plan any countermeasures they need in case of outbreaks.

Traveling to Malaysia via the Langkawi Travel Bubble

You may also travel to Malaysia via the Langkawi Travel Bubble, provided that you meet a few requirements mandated by the Malaysian government (effective 15 November 2021):

1. You must not have come from the following countries:

Belarus
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Czechia
Georgia
Guernsey
Guyana
Libya
Martinique
Poland
Romania
Russian Federation
Saint Kits and Nevis
Slovakia
Ukraine

2. You must be fully vaccinated with the following:

14 days after the second dose of two-dose vaccines: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Sinopharm, or Sinovac
28 days after a single dose of Johnson & Johnson, CanSinoBio, or Sputnik

3. Children up to the age of 18 must be accompanied by fully vaccinated parents or guardians

4. You must also keep yourself updated with the National Security Council’s Standard Operating Procedure

5. You must book a minimum of 3-day stay on Langkawi Island

6. Travelers with onward travel itineraries to other domestic destinations must stay a minimum of seven (7) days on the island

7. An RT-PCR test within 48-hours before departure for Malaysia and bring the negative test results to present

8. Passengers will be issued a digital HSO and will be allowed to proceed to the hotel accommodation while waiting for the results

9. You will undergo the Rapid Antigen Tests at Langkawi International Airport upon arrival and on the 3rd and 5th day within their stay on the island

10. You will also have to take additional tests as required by the Malaysia Ministry of Health and are responsible to report the test results through the MySejahtera application

11. Two (2) days prior to leaving Langkawi, you will have to take an RT-PCR or Rapid Molecular Testing for COVID-19

12. Make sure to download MySejahtera online application on a smartphone and complete all the necessary information for COVID-19 verification and contact tracing purposes

13. Keep all relevant documents including the negative COVID-19 test (digital and/or hardcopy) for verification when required

14. Complete a Health Declaration Form LoU and Indemnity Form

15. Upon arrival at KL International Airport, travelers will be required to wear the identification tag provided by the medical officer from a private health screening test facility

16. Travelers must hold health insurance with a minimum coverage of USD80,000 and book travel services through a registered travel agency endorsed by MOTAC to enter Langkawi Island

17. An officer will verify the required documentation upon arrival

18. Travelers transiting in KL International Airport must undergo Rapid Molecular Test BP Lab located at G1. Travelers who have recovered from COVID-19 are allowed to travel provided they have the following documents:

Letter from the hospital you were admitted to and must be written by the person who treated you
Discharge letter stating that the passenger is fit to travel and has already completed quarantine period from the hospital they were admitted to

19. Tourists are advised to ensure that their mobile phone is fully charged and able to display updated health status in their MySejahtera profile page when required by authorities at respective checkpoints, including at the terminal (KLIA), check-in counter, and upon arrival at Langkawi International Airport

20. Customers are encouraged to perform online check-in 48 hours prior to their flight through the Malaysia Airlines’ mobile app or website; or via the self-service kiosks at KLIA before travel

21. Travelers are strongly recommended to be at KLIA four (4) hours before the scheduled departure time and plan their journey to the airport to allow for sufficient time to navigate through police roadblocks at several locations and check-in procedures at the airport

22. Travelers remain responsible for ensuring they comply with all requirements imposed under the Langkawi International Travel Bubble programme by the Government

Travel to Malaysia from Singapore via the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL)

If you’re coming from Singapore, you can travel to Malaysia via the Vaccinated Travel Lane, which requires the following:

You must be fully vaccinated
You must have a negative RT-PCR test result taken 2 days before your departure to Malaysia
You must also take an RT-PCR test upon arrival in Malaysia

If you are eligible for traveling to Malaysia via the Vaccinated Travel Lane, you won’t have to undergo mandatory quarantine.

Things to do in Malaysia

Now that you know what you need to be able to enter Malaysia, now it’s time for you to know what you can do. Here are some things that you can try in areas like Kuala Lumpur, and Sabah, Langkawi!

1. Kuala Lumpur

Enjoy a jaw-dropping view of the capital city from the observation deck of one of the world’s tallest towers, the KL Tower!

Discover the magic of the big blue sea at Aquaria KLCC and marvel at the majestic aquatic creatures it houses and takes care of!

Embark on a grand full-day tour of the city and learn about its history and culture as you visit important landmarks like the Old Train Station, King’s Palace, the National Mosque, and more!

If you love taking and curating photos, book a private day trip that will take you to some of the city’s most scenic and vibrant areas, historic sites, and even the famous Batu Caves!

2. Sabah

Explore Malaysia’s first ever UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kinabalu Park! Bask in the grandeur of pristine nature and discover the local flora and fauna! You’ll also take a rejuvenating dip into the Poring Hot Spring!

Take the opportunity to visit Mantanani Island and go snorkeling in crystal clear waters to see diverse fish swimming around, plus, go on a cruise along the Kawa Kawa River where you can enjoy the scenery and watch fireflies while delighting in a delicious buffet.

3. Langkawi

The best way to take in the sights of Langkawi is to ride its famous Skycab Cable Car, which is the country’s highest cable car ride! Look down below the cable car’s glass floor and enjoy stunning views of the sea and verdant forests below.

If you’re itching to explore the archipelago, you can book an island hopping tour and explore it aboard a speedboat!

Langkawi is also more than just its beaches and islands. There are plenty of thrilling activities to try such as ATV riding, archery, and even go karting! You can take on those exhilarating experiences at Langkawi Adventure and Xtreme Park!

For more destinations and activities that you can visit and try, you may check our Malaysia country page!

Remember to plan ahead and keep all necessary documents with you. Have a safe journey!