Updated 15th May 2022.
- Also see: Southeast Asia Travel COVID-19 Overview
- Also see: South America Travel COVID-19 Overview
LATEST MALAYSIA COVID-19 NEWS:
- 6th May 2022 – Three Thailand-Malaysia land border crossings are now open for public use. Source.
- 28th April 2022 – Malaysia will drop its testing requirement for fully vaccinated arrivals from 1st May 2022. Source.
- 1st April 2022 – Malaysia has reopened to fully vaccinated international tourists for the first time since the pandemic began. Source.
Disclaimer: COVID-19 travel restrictions are changing every day and the following information reflects South East Asia’s Backpacker’s understanding of the current rules for entry. While we update this article regularly to ensure the information is as current as it can be, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.
Contents
Malaysia Travel Restrictions
Can you travel to Malaysia right now?
Vaccinated Travellers:
From 1st April 2022, fully vaccinated travellers are allowed to enter Malaysia without quarantine. There are different rules in place depending on where you enter Malaysia. If you are entering East Malaysia (Sabah or Sarawak), you will need to contact the Malaysian High Commission and your airline, as there are different immigration rules in place.
Please note: If you are over 60 years of age, Malaysia requires a third (booster) dose of a recognised COVID-19 vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated.
Please see here for Malaysia’s list of recognised vaccines.
Unvaccinated Travellers:
Unvaccinated travellers can enter Malaysia if they meet quarantine and testing requirements.
Entry Requirements
Before you enter Malaysia, you will need:
Required Entry Documents
- Valid visa
- Return flight ticket
- Verify your vaccine certificate through mysafetravel portal
- Download MySejahtera app and complete the traveller’s card
Insurance
- All travellers will need travel insurance that covers COVID-19 for their entire stay.
SafetyWing is the travel insurance of choice for scores of backpackers!
- Subscription style insurance
- Offers COVID-19 cover
- Available after your trip has started
COVID-19 Tests Required
- Fully vaccinated: No testing requirements.
- Not vaccinated: You must take a COVID-19 test in your country of residence and have a negative test result within 2 days of getting on the plane to Malaysia if you are unvaccinated. You must also take a Rapid Test PCR or Rapid Molecular Test within 24 hours of your arrival.
Upon Arrival
Quarantine Period
Fully vaccinated international arrivals are no longer required to quarantine.
Unvaccinated travellers will have to quarantine for 5 days at a designated government facility (at their cost). You will have to download the MySejahtera app and complete the traveller’s card.
Local COVID-19 Rules and Regulations
The rules and regulations below are only meant to serve as a guide and the situation is prone to change rapidly without warning. For more information on local rules and restrictions visit MyGovernment – Malaysia Government Portal.
- FACE COVERINGS – Wearing a face mask is now optional in outdoor public spaces. You are still required to wear them indoors. Also see: Best face masks for travel.
- SOCIAL DISTANCING – Social distancing is recommended in public spaces.
- CURFEWS – Once you are in Malaysia it is best to check government websites and newspapers for the latest information.
- PUBLIC TRANSPORT – Masks are required on public transport.
- VENUES AND GATHERINGS – Hotels and guesthouses are open across Malaysia, though many have closed. There could be additional measures in place in some venues.
- MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE – There are no active travel restrictions over movement in West Malaysia. In East Malaysia, you should contact the Malaysian High Commission for clarification on the latest rules.
Land Borders
Three land borders between Thailand and Malaysia are now open. The land border with Indonesia (on the island of Borneo) is closed. The land border between Malaysia and Singapore reopened 1st April 2022, with no quarantine or testing requirements.
Resources:
- UK Government Foreign Travel Advice
- US Embassy in Malaysia
- OSAC Travel Advisories
- MyGovernment – Malaysia Government Portal
- The Humanitarian Data Exchange
Nikki Scott | Founder & Editor
Nikki is the founding editor of South East Asia Backpacker. At age 23, she left the UK on a solo backpacking trip and never returned. After six months on the road, she founded a print magazine about backpacking in Asia. The rest is history.
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i hear that Malaysia (and Singapore) no longer require COVID insurance for vaccinated travellers, yet this page says that all travellers must have the insurance. Are you planning to update the page any time soon, or have I got my info wrong? :/
Hi Lee,
As you can see here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malaysia/entry-requirements
Travel insurance which covers COVID-19 is still a requirement of entry at this stage.
i have 2 shots of pfizer and am 69 can i come to malaysia
Hi Jet!
As you can see in the section about vaccinated travellers,’Please note: If you are over 60 years of age, Malaysia requires a third (booster) dose of a recognised COVID-19 vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated.’
There are exceptions to this rule, however, you’d need to contact your local embassy to find out what they are and if they apply to you.
hi is pre-departure covid19 test still require for entering Malaysia via air on 02 May 2022?
Hi Juzme, At present, the rules are as follows… You must provide a negative PCR test result taken within 2 days before departure and take a professional RTK antigen test (lateral flow test) within 24 hours of arrival. As with all entry restrictions, this may change without notice in the meantime so keep an ear out!
What if I want to visit my relatives in Malaysia soon maybe in Ramadhan, In shaa Allah and I’m fully Vaccinated, flying all the way from the Philippines.
What are the rules if you have family in Malaysia? Flying in from France vis Singapore.
Hi Gwendoline,
Exemptions apply if you have family in Malaysia but this depends on your own nationality and the specific family relation that you have in Malaysia (e.g. spouse visa). You would need to speak to a Malaysian Embassy to see whether you are able to travel depending on your unique circumstances. If not, the Langkawi International Travel Bubble would be your best option. All the best!