Malaysia Travel Status

WATCH

Travel to Malaysia is operating normally overall, including international flights, airports and major border crossings. However, stronger security warnings remain in place for islands and maritime areas off the eastern coast of Sabah because of the risk of kidnapping.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is operating normally and continues to handle extensive domestic and international passenger services.

Other major airports

Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and other major Malaysian airports are also operating scheduled passenger services.

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card

Most foreign travellers entering Malaysia must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card online before arrival. Certain categories of travellers are exempt.

Visa requirements

Visa requirements depend on nationality. Travellers should check whether they require a visa before departure and ensure their passport meets Malaysia’s validity requirements.

Sabah and Sarawak immigration

Sabah and Sarawak have their own immigration controls. Travellers moving between Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo should carry their passport even though they remain within Malaysia.

Eastern Sabah

Special security warnings remain in place for parts of eastern Sabah. The UK advises against all but essential travel to islands and dive sites off the coast between Sandakan and Tawau because of the threat of kidnapping.

Mainland Sabah

The stronger UK warning for eastern Sabah does not apply generally to mainland Sabah. Major destinations including Kota Kinabalu continue to receive visitors.

Thailand border

Malaysia’s land crossings with Thailand are operating. Travellers should check the operating hours of their intended crossing, particularly when using smaller checkpoints.

Singapore border

Road and rail travel between Malaysia and Singapore is operating normally. The Johor-Singapore crossings can become extremely busy during weekends, holidays and peak commuting periods.

Brunei and Indonesia

International land crossings in Malaysian Borneo provide connections with Brunei and Indonesia. Immigration procedures apply when crossing these borders.

Ordinary travel operating normally

No significant current nationwide disruption affecting flights, airports, entry procedures or Malaysia’s principal international border crossings has been identified.

KLIA operating normally

Current Malaysia Airports flight information shows passenger flights continuing through Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Eastern Sabah warning remains

The long-standing security warning covering islands and dive sites off eastern Sabah remains in effect because of the risk of kidnapping.

Malaysia remains Level 1 overall

The current U.S. State Department advisory places Malaysia overall at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions, while recommending increased caution in specified maritime areas of eastern Sabah.

Canada also rates Malaysia normally overall

Current Canadian guidance recommends normal security precautions for Malaysia generally, while advising a higher degree of caution along the east coast of Sabah between Kudat and Tawau.

Check your airline, passport and Malaysian visa requirements before departure.

Complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before travelling if it applies to your nationality and immigration category.

If travelling between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah or Sarawak, carry your passport because separate immigration controls operate in East Malaysia.

If visiting eastern Sabah, check the exact location against current official security warnings before booking islands, resorts or diving trips.

If crossing into Singapore or Thailand by road, allow additional time during weekends and public holidays when border checkpoints can become congested.

Travel Status is designed to highlight significant changes that could affect a trip. It is not a replacement for official immigration, airline or government advice.