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Areas where聽FCDO聽advises against all but essential travel

Eastern Sabah coastal islands

FCDO聽advises against all but essential travel to all islands and dive sites off the coast of eastern Sabah from Sandakan to Tawau, including Lankayan Island, due to the threat of kidnapping. This does not apply to the mainland of Sabah.

Find out more about聽飞丑测听FCDO聽advises against travel.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations 补苍诲听get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out聽more about聽FCDO聽travel advice.

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This information is for people travelling on a full 鈥楤ritish citizen鈥� passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government鈥檚 understanding of Malaysia鈥檚 current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Malaysia set and enforce entry rules. If you鈥檙e not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the聽.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Malaysia, your passport must have an 鈥榚xpiry date鈥� at least 6 months after the date you arrive. Make sure it is undamaged, with no pages missing.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements.听Renew your passport聽if you need to.听聽

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

Malaysia does not recognise dual nationality. You can be refused entry if you鈥檙e found with a Malaysian passport and one of a different nationality. If you have dual nationality (not including Malaysian), enter and exit on the same passport.

Visa requirements

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聽聽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聽 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 to enter Malaysia. Do this before you travel 鈥� 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聽聽for further information, including exemption details.

Entering East Malaysia

If you鈥檙e 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.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Malaysia, you must have a certificate to prove you鈥檝e had a yellow fever vaccination if you鈥檙e coming from a .

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .

Drug screening

The Malaysian authorities could ask you to take a urine test on arrival if they suspect drug use. If they find drugs in your system, they could detain or deport you and ban you from returning to Malaysia. You could face these penalties even if you took the drug outside Malaysia, including in a country where it is legal.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about聽. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

If you are not sure if it is legal to bring items, including medications, declare them on entry.

Importing firearms

It鈥檚 illegal to import unlicensed firearms and ammunition into Malaysia. This includes spent ammunition and souvenirs from war museums. Do not take any weapons or replica weapons into Malaysia. You may be detained and charged if you do. If you鈥檙e convicted of dealing in illegal firearms, you can get a death sentence.

Taking money into or out of Malaysia

When you enter or exit Malaysia, you must declare cash in any currency or travellers cheques worth 10,000 US dollars or more. If you do not, customs officials could seize your money. You could get a fine of up to 3聽million Malaysian ringgit and up to 5 years in prison.

Before you travel, you must get approval to take ringgit worth 10,000 US dollars or more into or out of Malaysia.听聽

See the聽聽website for more information.

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Malaysia.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.听听听

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on聽聽and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out聽how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.听听听

Terrorism in Malaysia聽聽

Terrorist attacks in Malaysia cannot be ruled out.

Terrorism attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as:聽

• bars and restaurants
• hotels
• markets
• shopping malls
• tourist attractions
• places of worship
• airports

You should be especially vigilant and maintain a high level of security awareness in crowded places and at large gatherings.

Terrorist kidnap

In Malaysia, there is a threat to foreigners of kidnapping in coastal areas of eastern Sabah from terrorist groups. The threat is particularly high between the towns of Sandakan and Tawau and on islands close to the Sulu Archipelago in the southern Philippines.

The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), based in the Philippines, has previously kidnapped foreigners from the east coast of mainland Sabah, the islands and the surrounding waters. The group has murdered several hostages. Some groups operating in the southern Philippines, including factions of聽ASG, have pledged allegiance to Daesh and are likely to regard westerners as legitimate targets.

British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.听

The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.听

Political situation

In response to the current situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, there have been peaceful demonstrations in some Malaysian cities, including outside some western embassies.听聽

It鈥檚 illegal under Malaysian law for foreign nationals to take part in demonstrations or protests.听听听聽

Monitor local and international media and avoid all demonstrations. Police can use tear gas and water cannons to control public protests.

Crime

Protecting yourself and your belongings

Bag-snatching is common, particularly in major cities. Thieves on motorbikes can target tourists. They can cut straps or pull off bags carried on the shoulder closest to the road. They have sometimes pulled people to the ground and killed or injured them if they try to hold onto their bags.

To protect yourself from petty crime, avoid carrying valuables and take particular care of your passport while:

• walking
• in cafes
• on aircraft
• in airport and railway terminals
• at hotels

Credit card and ATM fraud is widespread. Take care when using your card.

Personal security

There have been assaults and robberies, particularly around bars and nightlife areas. Do not open your hotel room door to strangers, especially late at night. This applies particularly to women travelling alone.

Drink spiking

There have been cases of strangers offering tourists a spiked drink, even in reputable bars or restaurants, and then robbing or assaulting them.

Police reports

If you鈥檙e a victim of crime, inform the local police and get a police report for insurance purposes.听听听

Laws and cultural differences

Malaysia is a multicultural, majority Muslim country. Respect local laws, cultures, traditions and religions.

If you鈥檙e a Muslim, you may be subject to local Sharia law.

Personal ID

By law you must carry ID. Always carry your passport.听听听

Dress code

Dress modestly, particularly in conservative and rural areas. You may be refused entry to places of worship or government offices if you do not have your shoulders and knees covered or are not wearing closed shoes. Check the signs displayed at the entrance.

Ramadan

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. In Malaysia, Ramadan will take place in March 2025.

During this time, you should:

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants
• follow local dress codes 鈥� clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time
• be aware of the risks of dehydration and that fasting can cause tiredness, particularly during the later afternoon and early evening

Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.

Illegal drugs penalties

There are severe penalties for all drug offences, including for amphetamine-type stimulants. If you are detained following a raid on a bar or nightclub, you could have to take a urine test to check for drug use.

Possessing drugs, even in very small quantities, carries severe penalties, including:聽聽

• arrest and detention
• a long jail sentence if charged and convicted
• a possible whipping
• a possible death sentence by hanging for drug trafficking

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Malaysia under federal law. The Malaysian authorities sometimes carry out raids on LGBT+ spaces and events. Showing affection in public could attract negative responses from other members of the public. Openly LGBT+ safe spaces and support groups exist.

Read more聽advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Watersports and scuba diving

If you rent jet skis or any other type of watersports equipment, make sure adequate safety precautions are in place. Only use licensed operators, insist on training before use and make sure you鈥檙e covered by your insurance.

Diving school standards are not always as high as in the UK. You should:

• check a dive operator鈥檚 credentials
• make sure safety equipment is available on the boat, particularly oxygen
• ask about safety precautions, including the ability to transfer divers to a hyperbaric chamber

If you have not had any previous diving experience:

• ask your dive instructor to explain what cover they offer before signing up
• check what to do if something goes wrong, including how to call for help while at sea

The diving sites of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, which lie in international waters off Kuantan, have been declared 鈥榩rotected places鈥� under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. Only dive there on a 鈥榣ook not touch鈥� basis. Make sure any boat operator you use holds a licence for diving at the wreck site.

See 鈦� from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA).听

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Malaysia, see聽information on driving abroad.

You鈥檒l need both the聽1949 international driving permit (IDP)聽and your UK driving licence聽to drive in Malaysia. You cannot buy an聽IDP聽outside the UK, so get one before you travel. You must buy a new聽IDP聽for each additional year you plan to drive in Malaysia.

If you鈥檙e in a road accident, it鈥檚 illegal to leave the scene before the police arrive. If a crowd gathers, it may be safer to go directly to the nearest police station instead.

Drivers, particularly motorbike riders, do not always stop at traffic lights or pedestrian crossings.

There have been several fatal bus crashes, particularly on overnight journeys. Choose a reputable operator for your journey.

If you rent a motorbike, it鈥檚 illegal not to wear a helmet.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence, and the traffic police regularly carry out breath tests. If you are found driving over the legal limit, you may get:

• a heavy fine
• a prison sentence
• deported

Road conditions in East Malaysia are not as good as those in Peninsular Malaysia.

Using taxis

At airports you pay for your taxi with a fixed-price coupon you buy at a counter in the terminal. In other areas, taxis should use a meter.

Sea and river travel

Some passenger boats have sunk due to overloading and poor maintenance. Take care when travelling by passenger ferry or speedboat. Avoid travelling on vessels that are clearly overloaded or in poor condition. Make sure life jackets are available.

Piracy in South-East Asian waters is an ongoing problem. There have been attacks against ships in and around Malaysian waters, particularly in the Strait of Malacca and the waters between Sabah and the southern Philippines. Be vigilant and take appropriate precautions. Reduce opportunities for theft, establish secure areas on board and report all incidents to the coastal and flag state authorities.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.听

Seasonal storms affect Malaysia. The timing of these storms depends on location in the country. Flooding and landslides are common and can cause significant damage to infrastructure. Essential services can be interrupted. For information on local weather, check the聽.听聽

Earthquakes can happen in Malaysia but are rare.

This section has safety advice for regions of Malaysia. It only covers regions where聽FCDO聽has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO鈥檚 overall travel advice 补苍诲听safety and security advice.

Eastern Sabah coast

FCDO聽advises against all but essential travel to all islands and dive sites off the coast of eastern Sabah from Sandakan to Tawau, including Lankayan Island, due to the threat of kidnapping. This does not apply to the mainland of Sabah.

Commercial shipping companies have been advised to adopt heightened vigilance when navigating the Sulu and Celebes seas. Most maritime incidents occur in the Sulu Sea in the area between Sabah (Malaysia) and Mindanao, the Sulu Islands and Palawan (Philippines).

The 聽(ReCAAP)聽advises all ships to re-route from the area where possible.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have聽appropriate travel insurance聽for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you鈥檙e referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks 聽

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest聽
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the聽

See , including:

• malaria
• dengue
• rabies in the states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Sarawak

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Malaysia, including Mount Kinabalu in eastern Malaysia (Malaysian Borneo). Read more about聽.

Air pollution

High levels of air pollution in major towns and cities in Malaysia may make respiratory conditions worse.

Forest fires in Indonesia can cause haze between June and October. Haze can cause disruption to local travel, regional air travel and to schools.

Monitor the聽聽updates and health advisories issued by the聽.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

搁别补诲听.

Healthcare in Malaysia

Government and private hospitals charge for all services. Private care is expensive. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

FCDO聽has a list of medical providers in Malaysia where some staff will speak English.听

There is also聽guidance on healthcare if you鈥檙e living in Malaysia.

Travel and mental health

搁别补诲听FCDO聽guidance on travel and mental health. There is also聽.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Malaysia

Police and ambulance: 999

Fire: 994

Ambulance (from a mobile): 112

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about聽changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from聽FCDO

FCDO聽has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking聽,听聽补苍诲听聽in Malaysia
• dealing with a聽death in Malaysia
• 产别颈苍驳听arrested or imprisoned in Malaysia
• getting help if you鈥檙e a聽victim of crime
• what to do if you鈥檙e聽in hospital
• if you鈥檙e聽affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

颁辞苍迟补肠迟颈苍驳听FCDO

Help abroad鈥���

厂别别听聽including in an emergency.听

Help in the UK聽聽

You can call鈥�FCDO鈥痠n London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.鈥���

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)鈥���

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates鈥���

Sign up to鈥�get email notifications鈥痺hen this travel advice is updated.鈥���

Follow FCDO:鈥�

Risk information for British companies

The鈥疧verseas Business Risk service鈥痮ffers information and advice for British companies operating in Malaysia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.