Malaysia
Warnings and insurance
Summary
The Foreign,Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)advises providesagainst adviceall aboutbut risksessential travel to:
AllislandsanddivesitesoffthecoasteasternSabahfromKudatTawau,Britishduenationalstomaketheinformedthreatdecisions.ofFindkidnapping
Before outyou moretravel, aboutcheck FCDOthe travel‘Entry advicerequirements’ section. for Malaysia’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
Areas
If whereyou FCDOplan advisesto againstpass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel
YourIt is more important than ever to get travel insurance couldand becheck invalidatedit ifprovides yousufficient travelcover. againstSee the FCDO advice.guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Eastern
Terrorist Sabahattacks coastalin islandsMalaysia can’t be ruled out.
FCDOAttacks advisescould againstbe allindiscriminate, butincluding essentialin travelplaces tovisited by foreigners. Bars and restaurants, hotels, markets, shopping malls hosting major international brand outlets, tourist attractions, places of worship and airports are all islandspotential targets. You should be especially vigilant and divemaintain sitesa offhigh thelevel coastof security awareness in crowded places and at large gatherings.
There is a threat to foreigners of kidnapping in coastal areas of eastern Sabah from Kudatterrorist toand Tawau,criminal duegroups. toThe threat is particularly high between the threattowns of kidnapping.
FindSandakan outand moreTawau aboutand whyon FCDOislands advisesclose againstto the Sulu Archipelago in the southern Philippines. See Terrorism and Local travel – Sabah.
Before
Commercial youshipping travel
Nocompanies travelhave canbeen beadvised guaranteedto safe.adopt Readheightened allvigilance when navigating the adviceSulu and Celebes Seas. Most maritime incidents occur in thisthe guideSulu Sea in the area between Sabah (Malaysia) and anyMindanao, specificthe travelSulu adviceIslands thatand appliesPalawan (Philippines). The Regional Co-operation Agreement on Combatting Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) advise all ships to you: re-route from the area where possible.
- women
-
disabled
Malaysiapeople - LGBT+
ispeopleamulticultural,majorityMuslimcountry.SeeLocallawsandcustoms
FollowThere andis contacta FCDOrisk travelof onpetty Twitter,crime, Facebookespecially andbag Instagram.snatching, throughout Malaysia. You should take sensible precautions. See Crime
You can alsocontact signthe upemergency toservices getby emailcalling notifications999 when(police thisand adviceambulance) isor updated.994 (fire).
Travel insurance
If you’re abroad and you chooseneed toemergency travel,help researchfrom yourthe destinationsUK andgovernment, getcontact appropriatethe travelnearest insuranceBritish embassy, consulate or high commission. InsuranceConsular shouldsupport coveris yourlimited itinerary,in plannedparts activitiesof Malaysia where the FCDO has existing advice against all travel and expensesall inbut anessential emergency.travel (as set out above).
Update history
2025-04-15 12:09
Updated information on illegal drugs penalties (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-09-11 16:46
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2023-12-15 11:38
Information on filling in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card to enter Malaysia (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-11-28 16:04
FCDO now 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 (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2023-11-23 15:25
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-11-03 14:04
Information about political situation and demonstrations (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-09 09:25
Information that there are no COVID-19 vaccination requirements for travellers entering Malaysia (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-06-22 09:34
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-19 14:56
Information on risks associated with terrorism in Malaysia (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2023-05-12 15:27
Updated information on drug screening on arrival when arriving from a country where possession and use of drugs is legal (‘Entry requirements’ page). Advice on pollution levels in major urban areas aggravating respiratory conditions and information on altitude sickness in Malaysian Borneo (‘Health’ page).
2023-04-14 12:49
Updated information for getting in touch with Malaysian state health authorities about COVID-19, previous security incidents, and UK Emergency Travel Documents (‘Coronavirus’, Terrorism’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-01-10 09:14
Updated information on customs and exchange control rules (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-01-06 16:35
Information on travelling to Sabah (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-01-03 10:21
Additional information on Covid-19 screening upon arrival and what to do if you test positive (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-12-30 11:15
Updated information on entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-11-23 11:19
Updated information on Visas and ETDs and addition of information for travellers with limited mobility (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Local laws and Customs’ pages).
2022-10-20 14:56
Updated information on safety and security (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-10-19 15:29
Updated information on customs and exchange control rules (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-09-21 12:05
Updated information on being required to go through immigration when transiting between the two Kuala Lumpur terminals (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-02 19:04
Updated information on entry requirements and domestic COVID-19 restrictions (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)
2022-07-05 10:56
Updated information on entry requirements for Malaysia (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-29 14:48
Update on entry requirements and domestic COVID-19 restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-03-31 14:00
Update on entry requirements and domestic COVID-19 restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)