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Visa Regulation for Malaysia

Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months beyond the period of stay. Most nationalities do not require visas for social or business visits.

Note that upon your arrival in Sabah or Sarawak, you will need to present your international passport even if you are arriving from Peninsular Malaysia. For further information, please check with the nearest Malaysian Mission or Tourism Malaysia office in your country or under http://www.imi.gov.my

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is most highly recommended for your protection and covers you for loss of luggage, cancellation, medical expenses and a scuba diving emergency.

Customs Regulation

Foreign tourists are allowed to bring Tobacco not more than 225 gram (equivalent to 200 cigarettes), Wine, spirit, malt liquor not more than 1 liter, Wearing apparels not more than 3 pieces, one pair of new shoes, portable electrical or battery operated appliances for personal care and hygiene not exceeding 1 unit each, food preparations to a value of not exceeding RM75. All other goods including gifts and souvenirs valued at not more than RM400 (except for goods from Langkawi, Pulau Tioman and Labuan, the total amount valued at not more than RM500).

Prohibited to import are any non-prescribed drugs, pornographic material, weapons and any imprint or reproduction of any currency note or coin. Drug smuggling carries the death penalty. There is generally no restriction on the export of goods usually purchased by visitors such as wine, spirits, cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, watches, perfume, jeweler, wearing apparels, souvenirs and foodstuff.

Following items are prohibiting from export: Turtle eggs and Rattan from Peninsular Malaysia. Some good are prohibit from export except by virtue of an export license such as: Any animal or bird, other than a domestic animal or domestic fowl, whether dead or alive or any part thereof, including all animals and birds specified in any written law in Malaysia, Collections and collectors pieces of zoological, botanical, mineralogical, anatomical, historical, archaeological, ethnographic or numismatic interest, etc. For more information regarding customs regulation please contact the: Malaysian Royal Customs and Excise Department WebPage's.

Health / Special Medication and Medical Services

Please check with your personal doctor, or a tropical Institute regarding the up-dated recommendation for Malaysia.

If you have any special medical requirements please note that many drugs behave differently while you are diving. Please notify us of any medication you are using, so we can note it in your travel file.

The Medical Services in Malaysia's provincial capitals and tourism destinations are excellent. This is one reason why Malaysia is becoming more and more a medical travel destination.

The Malaysian currency is normally referred to as Ringgit or RM. The RM comes in denominations of RM1, RM2, RM5, RM10, RM50 and RM 100. Coins are denoted as sen. These include 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen and RM1.

	Money matters travelers are advised to bring a combination of traveler's cheques, cash and credit cards. Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, airports and money changers around the country. Credit Cards Credit cards are widely used in larger shopping establishments and hotels. Smaller establishments accept transactions in cash only

Traveler cheques
US dollar traveler cheques can be conveniently cashed at all provincial banks.

Communication

Malaysia is linked nationally and internationally by telephone, facsimile. telegraph, telex and via the internet. Most hotels provide International Direct Dial (IDD) telephone services. In cities and towns, public phones are available at high traffic areas, such as bus stations, shopping complexes and office buildings, using coins or phone cards. Phone Cards come in denominations of RM5, RM10, RM20, RM 50 and are available at news-stands and petrol stations.

Malaysia is also on a GSM Network. Check with your service provider to make sure your phone is open for international calls and international roaming. The country code for Malaysia is 60. Area or mobile phone number begins with '0' which you drop when you call into Malaysia from outside the country. If you like to make an international call from Malaysia you have to dial 001 to get out of Malaysia, follow by the country-, area and telephone number.

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