Sabah, being part of an island is most commonly reached by air, and its capital Kota Kinabalu is linked by direct flights to major the regional capitals: Kuala Lumpur (capital of Malaysia), Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Kaoshiung, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Brunei, Manila and Cebu. Sabah can be reached by sea, however, regular ferry connections are only between the southern Philippines and Sandakan on the East Coast of Sabah. By land, Sabah can be reached from Kalimantan (Indonesia), Sarawak (Malaysia) and Brunei Darussalam.
Every person entering Malaysia must possess a valid national Passport or internationally recognised Travel Document valid for travel to Malaysia. Any person not in possession of a Passport or Travel Document which is recognized by the Malaysian Government, must obtain a Document in lieu of Passport. Application for the Document in lieu of Passport can be made at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad. Holders of Travel Documents like a Certificate of Identity, Laisser Passer, Titre de Voyage or a Country's Certificate of Permanent Residence must ensure that their return to the country which issued the document or the country of residence is guaranteed. Documents must be valid for six (6) months from the date of entry into Malaysia.
Foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a visa in advance at Malaysian Representative Office before entering the country.
Nationals of these countries do not require visa to enter Malaysia for all purpose of visits:
- LEICHTENSTEIN, NETHERLANDS, SWITZERLANDS, St. MARINO, SINGAPORE, BRUNEI
- All COMMONWEALTH countries except INDIA, PAKISTAN, BANGLADESH, SRI LANKA, NIGERIA
Nationals of this country do not require visa for social visits and study:
- United State of American (USA)
National of these countries do not require a visa to enter Malaysia for the purpose of social visits for not more than three (3) months. For other purposes or social visits for a duration of a stay exceeding three (3) months, a visa is required:
- ALBANIA, ALGERIA, ARGENTINA, AUSTRIA, BAHRAIN, BELGIUM, BOSNIA HERZ., BRAZIL, CHILE, CROTIA, CUBA, CZECH REP:, DENMARK, EGYPT, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, HUNGARY, ICELAND, ITALY JAPAN, JORDAN, KIRGYSTAN, KUWAIT, LEBANON, LUXEMBORG, NORWAY, OMAN, PERU, POLAND QATAR, ROMANIA, SAUDIA ARABIA, SOUTH KOREA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SLOVAKIA, TUNISIA, TURKEY TURKESMENISTAN; U.A.E, URUGUAY, YEMEN
Nationals of these countries do not require a visa to enter Malaysia for the purpose of social visits for not more than one (1) month. For other purposes or social visits for a duration of a stay exceeding one (1) month, a visa is required:
- HONG KONG ( SAR ), MACAU ( SAR ), BRITISH NATIONAL OVERSEAS ( BNO ), NORTH KOREA, VIETNAM
- All ASEAN countries except MYANMAR
- Others countries that are not listed in any of the other categories
Nationals of this country do not require a visa to enter Malaysia for the purpose of a social visit for not more than fifteen (15) days. For other purposes or social visits for a duration of a stay exceeding fifteen (15) days, a visa is required:
- IRAN
Nationals of these countries do not require a visa to enter Malaysia for the purpose of social visits for not more than fourteen (14) days. For other purposes or social visits for a duration of a stay exceeding fourteen (14) days, a visa is required:
- IRAQ, LIBYA, SYRIA, MACAO (Travel Permit), PORTUGAL (Alien Passport)
Nationals of these countries require a visa for any purpose of visit:
- BANGLADESH, INDIA, PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA, AFGHANISTAN, TAIWAN, MYAMMAR, NEPAL, BHUTAN, PR CHINA, ANGOLA, BURKINA FASO, BURUNDI, CAMEROON, CENTRAL AFRICAN REP., CONGO REP., CONGO DEMOCRATIC REP., COTE DVOIRE, DJIBOUTI, EQUITERIAL GUINEA, ERITERIA, ETHIOPIA GHANA, GUINEA BISSAU, LIBERIA, MALI, MOZAMBIQUE, NIGER, NIGERIA, RWANDA
and
- All Holders of Cert. Of Identity;
- All Holder of LAISSER PASSER;
- All Holder of TITRE DE VOYAGE
Nationals of these countries require special approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs to enter Malaysia:
- ISRAEL, YUGOSLAVIA, MONTE NEGRO
To enter Malaysia, and Sabah, a visitor must possess the following documents:
- a valid Passport or Travel Document
- Fulfil Visa requirements (if applicable)
- Complete the Arrival/Departure Card
Under a special arrangement during the formation of Malaysia, all visitors to Sabah (except Sabahans) must fill in immigration papers before entering Sabah. This is inclusive Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia Residents.
A visitor is also required to complete the Arrival/Departure Card (Imm.26) upon arrival at the gazetted entry points. This card is obtainable at any entry point, at Malaysian Representative Offices abroad, on international flights or from travel agencies.
A visitor must present his/her passport together with the duly completed arrival/departure card to the Immigration Officer on duty and he/she must ensure that the passport or travel document is endorsed with the appropriate pass before leaving the immigration counter.
AIR: Kota Kinabalu International Airport; Sandakan Airport
LAND: Sindumin, Long Pa Sia, Pensiangan
SEA: Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Kudat, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Sipitang, Menumbok
For More Information please contact your nearest travel agent, Malaysian Embassy, or visit the Malaysia Immigration Department Website



