Malaysia Entry Requirements (2023): Discontinue of MyTravelPass, Langkawi Tourism Bubble, List of High-Risk Countries and more
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Can Foreigners Enter Malaysia Now 2023?
Yes. Starting from 1 April 2022, Malaysia has been fully opened to international visitors who can now travel without applying for the ‘MyTravelPass’ (an entry or exit permit) and the pre-departure form which was previously mandated to enter the country.
In a statement on Thursday (24 March 2022), Minister for Health Khairy Jamaluddin shared that seven procedures are to be discontinued, including:
- The current list of 18 high-risk countries for travel;
- Application requirement for home quarantine;
- The Malaysian Investment Development Authority’s One Stop Centre programme for business travellers;
- The Langkawi Tourism Bubble;
- COVID-19 RT-PCR detection test by Ministry of Health (MOH) officials at Kuala Lumpur International Airport;
- MyTravelPass, and
- The digital tracker
Is Malaysia Open to International Tourism?
Yes. As mentioned above, Malaysia has now fully opened to international visitors starting from 1 April 2022.
Entry requirements for Malaysia are practically the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. Travellers to Malaysia are not subject to pre-departure and on-arrival Covid testing requirements, nor do the travellers need to undergo COVID-19 screening to enter the country. The decision has been made to ease the travelling experience of tourists entering Malaysia, as well as to contribute to the recovery of Malaysia’s airports and airline industry.
Kindly consult the Ministry of Tourism (MOTAC) for the latest information.
Is Malaysia Open for Business Travellers?
Yes. Similar to any other travellers, business travellers can visit Malaysia starting from 1 April 2022.
Established by the Malaysian Government on 2 October 2022, the One Stop Centre (OSC) functions to facilitate the movement of business travellers, followed by the gradual opening of the local economy post Movement Control Order (MCO) period, has now been phased out effective from 1 April 2022.
What are Malaysia’s Vaccine Requirements?
All tourists can now enter Malaysia despite their vaccination status. Ever since 1 August 2022, Malaysia has lifted several entry restrictions. Travellers no longer need to fill up the Pre-Departure Form on MySejahtera—a mobile application developed by the Malaysian government to facilitate contact tracing and COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Nor do they need to undergo COVID-19 screening and quarantine upon arrival.
Bear in mind that, tourists are still obliged to install the MySejahtera app (iOS, Android) on their smartphones; however, they’re not required to fill in the travel pass to verify their vaccination status.
Besides, the scanning of MySejahtera in public and private areas to check-in is no longer required, except for those who are tested positive for COVID-19 and carry ‘High Risk’ status or under HSO.
Malaysia-approved vaccines are as follows:
- Pfizer/ BioNTech
- Moderna
- CanSino
- Jansses (Johnson & Johnson)
- Oxford/AstraZeneca
- Covaxin
- Sinopharm
- Sinovac
Kindly note that those who have received two doses of Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccine (regardless of age) should also receive their third dose of the vaccine to be qualified as fully vaccinated. You may refer to this COVID-19 vaccination policy for more details.
What are Malaysia’s COVID-19 Testing and Quarantine Requirements?
a. Testing Requirements
Under the latest directives, international travellers must undergo health screening at entry points and self-declare any COVID-19 symptoms. Individuals tested positive are subject to further health checks and possibly, quarantine. In light of the lenient travel requirements that have now been implemented since August 2022, travellers no longer need to perform a pre-arrival test to enter Malaysia.
b. Quarantine Requirements
Tourists travelling to Malaysia will no longer face quarantine regardless of their vaccination status. In fact, people are allowed to move within the country freely while maintaining a social distance. Masks are no longer required to be worn indoors; however, are mandatory for those tested positive for COVID-19 as well as in places such as public transport and healthcare facilities.
COVID-19 patients are mandated to undergo a 7-day quarantine period. Having said that, they’re also given an option of undergoing a supervised RTK-Antigen test on day 4. Should they test negative, they’ll be released from quarantine.
The cost of quarantine in Malaysia including COVID-19 screening test, transport, accommodation, meal, and handling cost are to be borne by the tourists themselves. Payment of any applicable charges can be made either via the MySafeTravel System or the MyQR phone app prior to their arrival in Malaysia.
Additional Malaysia Entry Requirements
Prior to departure, all tourists travelling to Malaysia are required to install, register and activate the MySejahtera contact tracing application, and proceed to upload their vaccination information which can be accessed through the “Traveller” icon in the app.
Kindly note that from 1 August 2022 onwards, you need not have a Traveller’s Card or the digital Home Surveillance Order (HSO) on MySejahtera. The scanning of MySejahtera in public and private areas to check-in is no longer mandatory, except for those tested positive and possess ‘High Risk’ status or are under HSO.
Transiting in Malaysia
Tourists may transit (up to 24 hours) via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for as long as they remain airside.
Interstate Travel in Malaysia
All fully vaccinated individuals are permitted to travel within Malaysia without requiring any police clearance. Travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by fully vaccinated parents or guardians. However, those travelling to Sabah and Sarawak are subject to the State Disaster Management Committee’s travelling requirement.
Of course, there are exceptions granted to unvaccinated travellers due to medical conditions and travelling for emergency visits. They must provide a valid police permit and a verified letter from a registered medical practitioner.
Some of the COVID-19 precautionary rules applicable within Malaysia are:
- The scanning of MySejahtera in public and private areas to check-in is no longer mandatory, except for those tested positive and possess ‘High Risk’ status or are under HSO.
- Masks are no longer required outdoors and indoors, except for public transport and e-hailing rides. However, the authorities have encouraged people to wear a mask in crowded public places, this applies to people from the ‘High-Risk’ categories.
- Physical distancing is no longer mandatory. Having said that, it is still encouraged in crowded areas.
- Tourists are highly encouraged to check in online via their airline’s mobile app or website at www.malaysiaairlines.com. For further information, kindly contact the Global Contact Centre at 1-300-88-3000 (within Malaysia) or 6-03-7843-3000 (outside Malaysia).
Exit Requirements for Malaysian
All fully vaccinated Malaysian travellers are allowed to travel abroad without presenting the MyTravelPass approval. Instead, they are required to adhere with destination country travel rules to understand the specific requirements.
Kindly refer to the official portal of Immigration Department of Malaysia for more information.