COVID-19 Information

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On August 6, 2020, the State Department issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for Malaysia due to COVID-19, advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Malaysia. For additional information, please see the full Travel Advisory.

Please note that routine Consular Services at the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur are suspended due to the CMCO. Please complete this form https://bit.ly/2SPVSFf to request an emergency appointment, making sure to note the nature of your emergency.

If you are a U.S. citizen with a life or death emergency, please contact us at KLACS@state.gov. More information on COVID-19 in Malaysia can be found here.

COVID-19 Information

Last updated:  December 15, 2020

 

Country-Specific Information:

  • Malaysia has implemented entry and movement restrictions on all foreign nationals in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. For up-to-date numbers on COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, please consult the Ministry of Health’s website.
  • As of December 7, 2020, COVID-19 related restrictions throughout Malaysia vary significantly by state and district. The entire country remains under a “Recovery Movement Control Order” (RMCO) through December 31, 2020.  Additionally, certain states and districts with higher prevalence of COVID-19 are subject to Conditional Movement Control Orders (CMCOs) or Enhanced Movement Control Orders (EMCOs).  For additional information on the CMCOs and EMCOs currently in effect, please see the Movement Restrictions section below.
  • The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to review current restrictions frequently to ensure compliance. Restrictions may be changed with little notice and are strictly enforced. Give yourself a healthy margin of time to return home prior to applicable curfews. Carry your U.S. passport with you at all times. If detained, request that local authorities notify the Embassy (+60-3-2168-5000), and review the ways in which we can provide assistance when a U.S. citizen is arrested abroad. For additional questions on current MCO restrictions, please check with local police directly.
  • The Malaysian Ministry of Defense instituted a mandatory mask requirement effective August 1, 2020 in crowded areas and on public transportation. The National Security Council released an infographic on August 5, 2020 identifying 14 categories of spaces where masks are required including mosques and prayer halls, houses of worship, public transportation, school buses and vans, zoos, sports and recreation areas (when not participating), clinics and hospitals, public and farmers markets, cinemas and venues with live entertainment, all retail outlets including restaurants, hairdressers and beauticians, spas and wellness centers, and family entertainment outlets.
  • Failure to comply with any of the RMCO restrictions, including the mask requirement, may result in a fine of RM 1,000 (USD $235) or more, and/or jail time.

 

Entry and Exit Requirements:

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? No, with very limited exceptions
    • On September 18, the Immigration Department of Malaysia announced that foreign travelers with long-term passes may now enter Malaysia with approval by the Immigration Department of Malaysia. This announcement softens some of the September 7, 2020 restrictions for some travelers, which prohibited all foreign nationals from 23 countries, including the United States, from entering Malaysia.  According to the September 18 announcement, holders of the following passes may apply for entry permission: “Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) and their dependents,  Employment Pass (Category EP I, II and III), Professional Visit Pass (PVP), Dependent Pass to expatriate for all categories, Long Term Social Visit Pass (LT-SVP) to expatriate for all categories, and Foreign Maid to expatriate for all categories.”  In addition, as of November 20, spouses of Malaysian citizens may apply for entry permission.  The Director General of Immigration may consider appeals to enter Malaysia on emergency and compassionate grounds.
    • On October 8, Malaysian Immigration launched a consolidated portal called My Travel Pass for all categories of pass holders to request permission to enter (or exit and re-enter) Malaysia during the RMCO. Travelers must have formal written approval from the Malaysian Government before attempting to enter Malaysia.
    • All travelers are required to undergo COVID testing on arrival and a mandatory 10 day quarantine at a facility designated by the Malaysian government. The full cost of testing and quarantine must be borne by the traveler. Please see the section on Quarantine Information below for further details.
    • International Students: On October 4, Malaysian Immigration announced that the entry of all new and existing foreign students, including those who had already received entry approval, will be delayed until December 31, 2020.
    • Malaysia My Second Home Holders (MM2H): The Embassy has not received clarification on whether MM2H visa holders are exempted from the September 7 restrictions on entry by U.S. citizens.  Effective October 5, the return approval process for MM2H visa holders is managed by Malaysian Immigration rather than the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.  Return approval may be requested from Immigration via My Travel Pass.
    • Transit: Foreign nationals may transit through the international terminals of Malaysian airports as long as they are not required to pass through immigration while in transit.  Note that this could change with little notice, so please confirm before commencing travel.  KLIA and KLIA2 are different terminals, and as such, travelers cannot transfer between these terminals without passing through immigration.
    • Departure: Foreign nationals are permitted to depart the country; however, flight options are reduced, and re-entry may not be permitted (see entry requirements above).  Malaysian citizens with a foreign residence permit, including U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, are allowed to depart, but may not be able to return until the RMCO is lifted.  All travelers should be prepared for additional travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.  Travelers should closely monitor the situation in Malaysia and other transit countries before travel.
    • Sabah and Sarawak: Additional travel restrictions apply for travel to the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, which have local autonomy over immigration at domestic and international ports of entry.  For additional information about traveling to Sabah or Sarawak, see the information in “Movement Restrictions” below and contact the local immigration authorities directly.
    • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes
      • Any travelers permitted to enter Malaysia during the RMCO are subject to COVID-19 testing and a mandatory 10 day quarantine at a facility designated by the Malaysian government. The full cost of testing and quarantine must be borne by the traveler.
      • Travelers who test positive are transferred to a designated government hospital for treatment; there are no exceptions to this mandatory hospitalization and at this time there no private hospitals authorized to treat COVID-19 patients.
    • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
      • See above

 

Movement Restrictions:

  • Is a curfew in place? Yes, in certain areas.
    • Zones under CMCOs or EMCOs may have curfews in place.
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes, in certain areas.
    • While general restrictions have been relaxed during the RMCO, specific “red zones” with higher numbers of COVID-19 cases may be intermittently placed under a more restrictive Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) or an Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).
    • As of December 7, police authorization is no longer required for travel in or out of CMCO districts. Police authorization is still required for travel to or from EMCO districts. Please refer to Malaysian government guidance on which districts are currently subject to an EMCO.
    • On December 5, the Government of Malaysia announced an extension of the CMCO until December 20 in Kuala Lumpur and Sabah, most of Selangor, as well as some parts of Penang, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan and Perak. The following restrictions will be enforced in areas subject to a CMCO:
      • Schools, higher education institutions, training institutes, kindergartens, public parks and recreational centers will be closed.  The only exception is for childcare centers for young children, which may apply for special permission to reopen;
      • Mosques and other non-Muslim places of worship may operate on a limited basis subject to numerical caps;
      • Sports, recreational, social and cultural activities may operate on a limited basis and may be subject to numerical caps;
      • Entertainment centers and nightclubs will not be allowed to operate.
    • As of December 7, police authorization is no longer required for travel in or out of CMCO districts. Police authorization is still required for travel to or from EMCO districts.  Please refer to Malaysian government guidance on which districts are currently subject to an EMCO.
    • Additional travel restrictions apply for travel to the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, which have local autonomy over immigration at domestic and international ports of entry.
      • Sabah: Sabah is under a CMCO through December 20. All passengers are required to undergo Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Antigen Rapid Test Kits (RTK-Ag) COVID-19 tests three days before travelling into Sabah.  All international passengers transiting to Sabah via KLIA must undergo COVID-19 testing at KLIA’s International Entrance before their connecting flight and are required to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine at a designated quarantine center upon arrival in Sabah.  Individuals exiting Sabah to Peninsular Malaysia are no longer required to obtain written permission from the police before departure.  All passengers must undergo either a PCR or RTK-Ag test three days before departure.  Only those with negative results will be allowed to travel.
      • Sarawak: All travelers entering Sarawak from Peninsular Malaysia must apply for entry permission through the EnterSarawak app, complete and submit the e-Health Declaration Form, quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in a designated facility, and undergo Covid-19 tests on the second and eighth day. The cost of quarantine and Covid-19 test will be borne by the traveler.  Following the 10-day quarantine, an additional four day self-quarantine at home is required.  Travelers from outside Malaysia will be required to complete the 10-day quarantine at the initial port of entry in Malaysia (typically Kuala Lumpur) before continuing on to Sarawak, and must present their day eight negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival and within 72 hours of the test results.

 

Quarantine Information:

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes
    • All travelers must undergo a mandatory t10 day quarantine at a facility designated by the Malaysian government at their own expense. Travelers must download the MySejahtera application and may be required to wear a wristband for identification and monitoring by the authorities.  For additional information on quarantine requirements, please contact the Malaysian National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).
    • Travelers who test positive are transferred to a designated government hospital for treatment; there are no exceptions to this mandatory hospitalization and at this time there no private hospitals authorized to treat COVID-19 patients.

 

COVID-19 Testing:

  • The Malaysian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Doctor On Call, has set up a platform to disseminate information on COVID-19 in Malaysia, including a list of designated public hospitals in each state that are equipped to screen for COVID-19*.
  • U.S. Citizens must pay all COVID-19 testing fees. There are a variety of public and private testing options and costs for foreigners can range from240-700 RM.  COVID-19 testing is conducted at clinics and hospitals approved by the Ministry of Health.  More information on testing options is available at the Doctor On Call website.

 

Transportation Options:

  • Are commercial flights operating? Yes
  • Is public transportation operating? Yes
    Masks must be worn on public transportation.

 

Fines for Non-Compliance:

  • Failure to comply with any of the RMCO restrictions, including the mask requirement, may result in a fine of RM 1,000 (USD $235) or more, and/or jail time.
  • The Malaysian government may implement further changes with little or no advance notice. Please contact the appropriate local authorities directly with any additional questions.  U.S. citizens should carry a copy of their passport and visa with them at all times.

 

Consular Operations:

  • American Citizen Services: Please note that most routine Consular Services at the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur are suspended due to the CMCO in effect in Kuala Lumpur.  Although routine consular services are suspended, we are scheduling limited emergency appointments for U.S. passports, CRBAs, and exceptional notarial services.  Please complete this form  https://bit.ly/2SPVSFf to request an emergency appointment, making sure to note the nature of your emergency.  We are also allowing collection of U.S. passports, passport cards, and Consular Reports of Births Abroad (CRBA) from 2-4 PM on Monday and Wednesday with no appointment required.
  • The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Visa Services: In light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur has cancelled all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible, but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.

Local Resources:

 

Information regarding Malaysian Immigration for U.S. Citizens currently in Malaysia:

  • Malaysian Immigration stated that the standard operating procedures in place as of August 29 are effective through the end of the extended RMCO on December 31, 2020. U.S. citizens have reported conflicting guidance from various Immigration offices and officers.  The U.S. Embassy reminds citizens that all questions regarding immigration policy must be directed to Malaysian Immigration.
  • During the RMCO, the Government of Malaysia has opened immigration services by appointment only. S. citizens with specific questions or concerns may contact the Malaysian Government call center (MyCGG) at 03-8000-8000 or refer to the FAQs at the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
  • The U.S. Embassy cannot make appointments with the Malaysian Department of Immigration on your behalf. Permission to enter and remain in Malaysia is at the decision and discretion of the Malaysian Immigration Department.  Neither the U.S. Government nor the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur can intervene on your behalf when you apply for a Malaysian visa or apply for an extension.

 

  • Ninety-day Social Visit Passes (Tourist Entry Stamps)
    • United States citizens whose social visit pass (tourist) expired after January 1, 2020 can depart Malaysia within 14 working days after the RMCO period ends without undergoing any immigration processing or penalties. U.S. citizens still stranded in Malaysia after 14 working days following the end of the RMCO must visit immigration within 30 working days to request an extension.  There are no guarantees that requests for extensions will be approved.
    • There should be no expectation that 90-day social visit (tourist) passes will be extended due to the global pandemic, and Malaysian Immigration strongly encourages all social visit pass holders whose passes have expired to depart Malaysia as soon as possible.

 

  • Immigration Letters for Social Visit Pass Holders
    • The U.S. Embassy is aware of an Immigration press statement indicating that foreigners with expired visas who choose not depart Malaysia within 14 working days after the end of the RMCO should obtain proof from their respective embassies regarding their justification for not being able to leave the country, or else face Immigration enforcement action.
    • While the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur cannot intervene on your behalf when you request an extension for a Malaysian visa, we are issuing letters that ask Malaysian Immigration to consider the COVID-19 pandemic and our advice to avoid all international travel. The U.S. Embassy CANNOT certify or validate your specific or personal justification for remaining in Malaysia.  Permission to enter and remain in Malaysia is at the decision and discretion of the Malaysian Immigration Department.
    • If you require such a letter, please complete this online form.

 

  • Long-Term Pass Holders (e.g. dependent passes, employment passes, MM2H, etc.)
    • Long-term pass holders (such as expatriate pass or spouse visas) whose passes expired before or during the RMCO must visit immigration and apply for an extension in the usual manner.
    • If your renewal or extension request is denied, you may be subject to immigration fines, immediate deportation, or other enforcement action

 

  • Exit and Reentry Requirements for Pass Holders in Malaysia
    • Exit and return to Malaysia during the RMCO will only be granted on a case by case basis for emergency cases and medical reasons. For further information, please visit the Expatriate Services Division website.

 

  • Travel for Malaysian citizens: Guidance issued by the Malaysian Prime Minister’s office indicates that Malaysian citizens who are permanent residents of other countries or hold long-term visas from other countries are permitted to leave on the condition that they do not return to Malaysia prior to the end of the RMCO. Supporting documents will be required by Malaysian Immigration upon departure.  Please refer to information published by the Malaysian authorities for further details about travel restrictions applicable to Malaysian citizens.  The U.S. Embassy does not provide letters of support for Malaysian citizens who wish to depart Malaysia and travel to the United States.

 

  • Malaysia-Singapore Border Crossing Arrangement: For information on the Malaysia-Singapore Border Crossing Arrangement, please review Malaysian Immigration’s website here.

 

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