Living in Malaysia
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Malaysia – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Malaysia
Help from the Malaysian government
For any questions about moving to or living in Malaysia, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Malaysia.
Professional help in Malaysia
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Malaysia, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Malaysia to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Malaysia. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Laws and cultural differences
Read about laws and cultural differences in safety and security in the travel advice for Malaysia. This includes:
- penalties for illegal drug smuggling
- LGBT+ rights
- carrying ID
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Malaysia before you travel.
Visas and residence passes
Check which Malaysian visa or residence pass you need to live in Malaysia. The Malaysian Immigration Department explains the different options available to you.
You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- retire
If you want to extend your visa or residence pass, read guidance on the Malaysian visa, passport and immigration services or contact the Malaysian Immigration Department.
For more information, read guidance from the:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Malaysia.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on applying for permanent residency in Malaysia.
Citizenship
Malaysia does not recognise dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Malaysian citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Malaysian citizenship:
- read guidance on getting Malaysian citizenship
- contact the Malaysian High Commission in London
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur cannot help with Malaysian visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues:
- check the Malaysian Immigration Department portal
- contact the Malaysian High Commission in London
- contact an English-speaking lawyer in Malaysia
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in Malaysia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Malaysia does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from international and Malaysian providers.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on health in Malaysia
- find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British Nationals in Malaysia
Working in Malaysia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Malaysia, you must meet the Malaysian government’s criteria.
You must also have a pass that allows you to work, for example:
Your employer will need to submit your application and supporting documents in advance using the Expatriate Services Directorate portal. The Malaysian Immigration Department will issue a visa approval letter. You can then apply for a single entry visa at the Malaysian High Commission in London, enter Malaysia and collect your pass.
You can find the full process in the online guidebook on the Expatriate Services Directorate portal.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Malaysia, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
You can find more information and details of how to apply on the Malaysian Qualifications Register website.
Driving in Malaysia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
You can drive in Malaysia for up to 12 months using an international driving permit alongside your valid UK driving licence. To drive for longer, you will need a Malaysian driving licence.
Read about road travel in Malaysia in safety and security in the travel advice for Malaysia. This includes information on driving in country, including driving licence rules.
The Malaysian Road Transport Department provides information on driving in Malaysia, including how to:
- apply for a Malaysian provisional driver’s licence
- apply for a Malaysian competent driver’s licence
- renew a Malaysian competent driver’s licence
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Malaysia so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia for any questions.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Malaysia. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Malaysia.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Malaysian pension
Contact the Malaysian Pension Department (in Malay) to find out whether you can claim a pension in Malaysia.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Malaysian benefits
Contact the Malaysian Social Security Organisation to find out whether you can claim benefits in Malaysia.
Buying and renting property in Malaysia
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
There are specific rules governing how foreigners can buy property in Malaysia. The rules vary from state to state. Consult the land registry department for the state where you are interested in buying property.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Malaysia if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Malaysia
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Malaysian elections
You cannot vote in Malaysian elections unless you hold Malaysian citizenship.
Studying in Malaysia
If you plan to study in Malaysia, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
For more information:
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or Malaysia
- contact the Malaysian Ministry of Education (in Malay)
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Malaysian Ministry of Education provides information about the school system in Malaysia.
All children aged 6 to 17 must attend school or home school in Malaysia.
For more information, read the Malaysian government’s guidance on how to:
- apply for a student pass from the Malaysian Immigration Department
- apply for home schooling through the Malaysian Ministry of Education
You can also contact the Malaysian Ministry of Education.
Childcare
The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (in Malay) is responsible for childcare services in Malaysia.
For information on enrolling your child in nursery, read the Malaysian Ministry of Education’s guidance on pre-school education in Malaysia.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Malaysia, register the birth with the Malaysian authorities.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Malaysia, read guidance on:
- what to when someone dies in Malaysia
- English-speaking funeral directors in Malaysia
- registration of death in Malaysia
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
You can also read the Malaysian government’s guidance on getting married in Malaysia.
Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Malaysia. For information about LGBT+ rights in Malaysia, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Malaysia.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Malaysian National Registration Department offers information on marriage and divorce in Malaysia.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Malaysia.
Documents for British people in Malaysia
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Malaysia, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Malaysia, read guidance on:
- bringing a pet into Malaysia from the Malaysian Department of Veterinary Services
- taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Malaysian authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).
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Information on how to get an International Driving Permit in the UK has been updated.
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Annual review of the living in guide.
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Updated the entire guide with latest information for each section.
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Updated information for British nationals driving in Malaysia
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Added section Death in Malaysia
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Scams in Malaysia added.
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First published.