Quick Facts

Depending on nationality, visitors may be required to apply for a visa in advance to enter Malaysia at the Malaysian Embassy or representative at their country of origin. 

Visa On Arrival can also be given to visitors who qualify, and is issued at certain international airports in Malaysia. To view entry requirements by country of origin, click on the link below.

Visa Requirements from The Government of Malaysia’s Official Portal

The Malaysian currency is known as Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) or (RM). Credit cards are accepted in major hotels as well as shopping malls.

Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies.

MYR 1.00 equals:

All rates quoted are subject to 10% service charge and 6% government tax (SST).

A Tourism Tax of MYR 10 nett per room, per night applies to foreign passport holders arriving from 1 January 2023 onwards. This is collected by the hotel on behalf of the government upon check-out, and is not included in your total room cost. All Malaysian Nationals and Permanent Residents are exempted. Guests arriving on or before 31 December 2022 are exempted from Tourism Tax as announced by the Federal Government.

The Penang local government fee of MYR 3 nett per room per night will be exempted for all arrivals until 30 June 2022. For stays from 1 July 2022 onwards, the prevailing local government fee is not included in your total room cost and will be collected upon check-in.

Tipping is not customary in Malaysia.

Bank Hours
10am - 4pm, Monday through Sunday

Office Hours
Though Malaysia is an Islamic country, offices observe a Monday to Friday schedule.
9am - 5pm (Business)
8am - 5pm (Government)

Shop Hours
10am - 10pm, Monday through Sunday

Malaysia has excellent healthcare facilities and services. Public hospitals and private clinics are available in every state and small towns. Specialist centres are found in major cities. Government/public hospitals and many private hospitals are open 24 hours.

Lightweight clothing is ideal. A suit and tie are normal business attires. Revealing garments for women are not advisable, especially in rural areas.

Penang’s climate can be described as equatorial, a pleasant mix of warm, sunny days and occasional cooling rain storms, with August through November being the wettest months generally.

Humidity is usually high, and the temperature varies between 21°C and 32°C (70° to 95° Fahrenheit).