- Also see: Southeast Asia Travel COVID-19 Overview
- Also see: South America Travel COVID-19 Overview
LATEST MALAYSIA COVID-19 NEWS:
- 7th September 2022 – Malaysia lifts its indoor mask mandate in all places except for public transport and medical facilities. Source.
- 1st August 2022 – Malaysia drops all previous Covid-19 entry requirements for international travellers and reopens for tourism. All travellers are welcome to Malaysia regardless of vaccine status as of 1st August 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.
Malaysia Travel Restrictions
Can you travel to Malaysia right now?
Vaccinated Travellers:
From 1st August 2022, all travellers can enter Malaysia regardless of vaccination status.
Please see here for Malaysia’s list of recognised vaccines.
Unvaccinated Travellers:
From 1st August 2022, all travellers can enter Malaysia regardless of vaccination status. You are no longer required to show proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
Entry Requirements
Before you enter Malaysia, you will need:
Required Entry Documents
- Valid visa
- Return flight ticket
- Download MySejahtera app.
Insurance
- Malaysia dropped the Covid-19 travel insurance requirement on May 1st 2022. Insurance that covers Covid-19 treatment is still highly recommended.
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.
- Unvaccinated / partially vaccinated: No testing requirements.
Upon Arrival
Quarantine Period
There is no mandatory quarantine period on arrival to Malaysia.
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 both outdoors and indoors is optional. Indoor mask mandates have been lifted but are still required on public transport and medical facilities. 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 and The Backpacker Network. In her early twenties, she left her home in the North of England on a solo backpacking adventure and never returned! After six months on the road, she founded a print magazine that became legendary on the Banana Pancake Trail. The rest is history.
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I thought that Malaysia no longer requires COVID insurance for vaccinated travellers, are you able to confirm this please?
Hello Liz. Yes, you are absolutely correct about this. There has been no requirement for Covid insurance for any travellers since May 1st 2022. We would still recommend all travellers purchase Covid insurance as medical treatment without insurance can be very expensive.
Thank you for drawing my attention to the fact that this information was missing from the page. I have corrected the issue.
What are the rules if your unv8xed and are in another Asian country and want to come into Malaysia for a few days, being an American.
Thanks
L-
Hi Larry. I’m sorry to say that due to your non-vaccinated status, you would have to spend five days inside a designated government facility, before being allowed out to explore. You would also need to confirm with the embassy whether or not you would be allowed to take your pre-flight Covid test in a country that isn’t your country of residence (assuming you are not resident in the other Asian country you mention).
Hope that helps!
Dave
Hi there, if my fully vaccinated status is expired at the time of entry to MAlaysia, but I recovered from Covid just 1 month ago, will I be allowed into Malaysia and considered as fully vaccinated (i.e. no need for quarantine and on-arrival tests)?
Hi Irene, I suspect you’d count as unvaccinated and need to test and quarantine as such. However, you should check such specific details with the embassy directly.
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!