Frequently Asked Questions on Malaysia

Frequently Asked Questions ?

Click on a question below to see the answer.

1.	Do I need a visa to enter Malaysia
2.	Do I need any vaccinations?
3.	When is the rainy (monsoon) season?
4.	What attire should I bring on my vacation to Malaysia, and what should I wear when visiting mosques and temples?
5.	What is the time difference?
6.	What is the best way to travel around the country?
7.	What is the national language?
8.	What if I were to travel alone?
9	What is the electricity supply rating of Malaysia?
10.	What are the medical services available in Malaysia?
11.	Is it safe to drink tap water?
12.	Will I be charged airport tax?
13.	Can I store my luggage at the airport?
14.	How do I rent and drive a car in Malaysia?
15.	Will there be any customs charges upon arrival?
16.	When are the Malaysian school holidays?
17.	Are there any cultural tips I should know about to avoid cultural offence?
18.	What is the procedure if I want to bring pets into Malaysia?
19.	Do I require medical insurance before traveling to Malaysia?
20.	What about Money changers?
21.	What about the currency?

Getting There

1. Do I need a visa to enter Malaysia

No visa is needed for nationals of Commonwealth countries except Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nigeria.

Nationals fro the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein do not require visas.

No visa is required for social/business visit not exceeding three months for nationals of Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Chili, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kirgystan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Slovakia, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, U.A.E., Uruguay and Yemen.

No visa is required for U.S.A. citizens visiting Malaysia for social, business or academic purposes (except for local employment).

No visa is required for social/business visit of not exceeding one month for nationals of all ASEAN countries, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, British National Overseas (BNO) and North Korea. For a stay exceeding one month a visa will be required for nationals of Brunei, Singapore and Vietnam.

No visa is required for a stay not exceeding 14 days for nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Macau (Travel Permit) and Portugal Alien Passport.

Nationals of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo Republic, Congo Democratic Republic, Cote D’lvoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Western Sahara, Nigeria, Taiwan, Myanmar, Nepal Bhutan, People’s Republic of China, Certificate of Identity (CI) holders, Laisser Passer holders and Titre De Voyage holders must obtain a visa before entering Malaysia.

Nationals of Israel and Yugoslavia are required to apply for Special Approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs before entering Malaysia.

Other countries that are not listed in any of the other categories do not require visa for social/business visit for a stay not exceeding one month.

Regulations are subject to change.

2. Do I need any vaccinations?

Travelers have very little to worry about in a country where health standards are ranked amongst the highest in Asia. Vaccinations are not required to enter Malaysia unless you are coming from a "yellow" infected area.

3. When is the rainy (monsoon) season?

Malaysia, being an equatorial country, experiences afternoon rain showers throughout the year, which cools the day. However, during the North-East monsoon between the months of December through February, there will be an increase in the frequency of these showers. Also check out our weather webpage.

4. What attire should I bring on my vacation to Malaysia, and what should I wear when visiting mosques and temples?

As Malaysia’s climate is hot and humid almost all year round, it is ideal to have light clothing to be worn throughout the year. It is also advisable for ladies, when entering mosques and temples, to wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts.

5. What is the time difference?

Standard Malaysia time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), 7 hours ahead of summer and 8 hours ahead of winter.

6. What is the best way to travel around the country?

Whether you are in a hurry to get to your destination or you wish to take things leisurely, there is a wide choice of transportation to suit your needs. By air, you can travel with Malaysia Airlines domestic flights. By rail, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) of Malaysian Railways has an impressive rail network that stretches from North to South and East to West throughout Peninsula Malaysia. Buses and taxis are also available throughout Malaysia. There are also transfer services with drivers readily available.

7. What is the national language?

Bahasa Malaysia is the national and official language. English is widely used especially in commerce and industry. Several Chinese and Indian dialects are also spoken.

8. What if I were to travel alone?

Malaysians are friendly, and travelling alone is generally safe and relatively comfortable for both men and women. Plan your trip around your interests and prepare yourself to be flexible enough

to take the inevitable glitches in stride. Visitors who encounter unforeseen problems and difficulties can seek the Malaysian

Tourist Police Unit or any other Police Station for assistance.

9. What is the electricity supply rating of Malaysia?

Malaysia’s electrical supply is 220 - 240 volts A C at 50 cycles per second, though our sockets and plug points may seem strange

to you.

10. What are the medical services available in Malaysia?

Medical services are available in all towns at government run hospitals and private clinics. Non-prescription drugs are available at pharmacies as well as supermarkets, hotels, and shopping centers. International class hotels also have their individual in-house medical practitioner to service their guests.

11. Is it safe to drink tap water?

In major cities, towns and resorts, tap water is generally safe to drink.

12. Will I be charged airport tax?

An airport tax of RM5.00 and RM40.00 will be charged upon departure for all domestic and international flight passengers respectively.

13. Can I store my luggage at the airport?

Lockers are available for luggage storage at the airport.

14. How do I rent and drive a car in Malaysia?

You will require an international driving permit or a valid license issued by your government to drive in Malaysia. Car rental can be arranged through hotel or through various car rental companies which can be located through the Yellow Pages Directory. Major international car rental companies are also available in Malaysia.

15. Will there be any customs charges upon arrival?

Items such as video equipment, cameras, radio cassette players, watches, pens, lighters, perfumes and cosmetics are duty free in Malaysia. Visitors bringing in dutiable goods may have to pay a deposit for temporary importation, refundable upon departure.

16. When are the Malaysian school holidays?

There are 5 term breaks in the year for schools throughout Malaysia. The term breaks vary slightly from state to state. You can refer to our holidays webpage for details.

17. Are there any cultural tips I should know about to avoid cultural offence?

To avoid "cultural offences", here are some tips: "Remove shoes when entering homes and places of worship. "Dress neatly in suitable attire which covers arms and legs when visiting places of worship. "When handling food, do so with the right hand only. "Tipping is not a custom in Malaysia. It is unnecessary in hotels and restaurants where a 10% service charge is imposed, unless the service rendered is exceptionally good. Refrain from raising your voice or displaying fits of anger as considered ill mannered.

18. What is the procedure if I want to bring pets into Malaysia?

It is advisable for you to contact the Malaysian Diplomatic Mission nearest you for up-to-date information concerning the importation of pets from your country. Various airline companies may also be able to help you with this.

19. Do I require medical insurance before traveling to Malaysia?

It is good idea for you to take medical insurance before you travel to Malaysia as Malaysia does not have reciprocal health service agreements with other nations.

20. What about Money changers, Charge/Credit Cards & Travellers Checks

There are licensed money changers in all major towns in Malaysia. Most are found in commercial districts and at shopping malls. The rates are very reasonable. You can check exchange rates in the local newspapers. Most large establishments will accept internationally known credit cards and charge cards, though we do advise caution. Travellers cheques are best cashed at banks for the best rates.

21. What about the currency?

Malaysia currency is in Ringgit (RM) and sen. The exchange rate for US dollars is fixed at RM3.80 = US$1. A resident/non-resident is permitted to carry into and out of Malaysia, Ringgit notes not exceeding RM1,000. A resident is permitted to carry out of Malaysia foreign currency including traveller's cheques not exceeding RM10,000. A non-resident is permitted to carry out of Malaysia foreign currency including traveller's cheques not exceeding the amount brought in. Should you need to carry currency in excess of the permitted limits, please obtain prior written permission from the Central Bank authorities.

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