SABAH

How to Get to Sabah:

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.

Immigration
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.

General Information

Climate:
Equatorial / Tropical

Average Temperatures:
Lowlands - 32 degrees Centigrade

Highlands - 21 degrees Centigrade

Currency:
Malaysian Ringgit (RM). Travellers cheques and foreign currencies can be charged for Malaysian Ringgit at banks, hotels and at major shopping complexes.

Most major hotels charge a nominal fee for currency conversion

Major Credit and Charge Cards:
VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club

Banking Hours:
Standard Malaysian Time is 8 hours ahead of GMT

Electricity:
240 volts AC/50-Cycle system

Language:
Bahasa Malaysia is the national language

However, English is widely spoken

Entry Requirements:
A valid passport (and visa wherever applicable) is required

A Social or Tourist Visit Pass does not permit the holder to take up employment, business or professional work in Malaysia

The Business Visit Pass allows foreign visitors to enter the country for business negotiations or inspection of business premises. These passes however, cannot be used for employment purposes or for supervising the installation of new machinery or the construction of a factory

No fee is charged for a Business Visit Pass issued for a period of up to three months. A fee of RM5 is imposed for each month thereafter