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COVID-19 Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur (May 19, 2020)
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17 MINUTE READ
May 19, 2020

Health Alert  –  U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Location:  Malaysia

 Event:  COVID-19

Please share this information with other U.S. citizens who may not be registered for these alerts.

 

Global Health AdvisoryInternational commercial flight options currently exist in Malaysia.  U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.  The U.S. government does not anticipate arranging repatriation flights in Malaysia at this time.

On May 10, 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the Movement Control Order (MCO) has been extended until June 9, 2020.

On May 16, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, which manages the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program, announced that MM2H visa holders outside of Malyasia may return from May 17, 2020 subject to medical screening and a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.  While this has been publicly announced, we are currently seeking additional clarity on the requirements for MM2H holders to return to Malaysia.  We strongly advise all MM2H holders to postpone return travel to Malaysia until further notice.

Consular Services
Please note that all routine Consular Services at the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur remain suspended.  Routine American Citizen Services, including passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and notarial services, are suspended until further notice.  Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services are also suspended worldwide.  We will resume routine consular services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.

Although consular services remain suspended, we are assessing demand for services, including applications for U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA), and notarial services.  Please complete the form at: https://bit.ly/2SPVSFf to request a future emergency appointment when consular services are re-established or to request pickup of an already issued passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.  Again, please note that the U.S. Embassy is not providing routine services at this time.

If you are a U.S. citizen with a life or death emergency (e.g. victim of a violent crime, arrest, reporting a death of a U.S. citizen) you may reach us at +60-3-2168-5000 or via email at: KLACS@state.gov.

We will announce the resumption of services via alerts to registered U.S. citizens in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and on our Embassy’s website.

Malaysian Immigration Services
On May 10, the Prime Minister announced the Movement Control Order (MCO) will continue through June 9.  During the MCO, the Government of Malaysia will open limited immigration services.

If you are a U.S. Citizen with immigration questions regarding your current status or permission to stay in Malaysia, please refer to the Malaysian Department of Immigration directly regarding your particular situation.  U.S. Citizens with specific questions or concerns may also contact the Malaysian Government call center (MyCGG) at 03-8000-8000.

During the MCO, Malaysian Immigration services will resume by appointment only – no walk-ins are permitted.  Immigration has informed the U.S. Embassy that their online appointment system cannot be used by those seeking to extend 90-day social visit (tourist) passes, and Malaysian Immigration strongly encourages all social visit pass holders whose passes have expired to depart Malaysia as soon as possible.

U.S. citizens whose passes expired after January 1, 2020 seeking to depart Malaysia may do so within 14 working days after the MCO period ends on June 9, 2020 without undergoing any Immigration processing or penalties.  There should be no expectation that 90-day social visit (tourist) passes will be extended due to the global pandemic.

Per Immigration guidance, U.S. citizens seeking renewal or extension of passes that have expired after February 1, 2020 must apply within 30 working days after the MCO period ends (June 9, 2020) at immigration offices nationwide.  However, please note that if your renewal or extension is denied, and you have remained in Malaysia more than 14 days after the end of the MCO, you may be subject to Immigration fines or other enforcement action.

We understand that Malaysian Immigration is experiencing a high call volume and U.S. citizens have reported difficulty accessing scheduling websites and that many appointment slots are full.  Please be patient as Malaysian Immigration is experiencing a high demand for its services and is implementing procedures to promote social distancing.  The U.S. Embassy cannot make appointments with the Malaysian Department of Immigration on your behalf.

On May 12, Malaysian Immigration published an updated FAQ at their website that includes the below information.  U.S. citizens who wish to “present themselves” at Malaysian Immigration must make an appointment in advance.

“For foreigners holding Long Term Pass and their passes expired before or during MCO, they are requested to present themselves at nearest Immigration Offices for validation and facilitation of passes according to the Immigration rules within the stipulated 30 working days period.

For foreigners holding Social Visit Pass (visitors) and their passes expired before or during MCO, who are stranded to leave Malaysia after 14 days of MCO are required to present themselves at nearest Immigration Offices within the stipulated 30 working days period for facilitation subject to supporting letter from the respective embassy.”

While the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur cannot intervene on your behalf when you apply for a Malaysian visa, we are issuing letters that ask Malaysian Immigration to consider the COVID-19 pandemic and our advice to avoid all international travel.  The U.S. Embassy CANNOT certify or validate your specific or personal justification for remaining in Malaysia and reminds U.S. citizens that permission to enter and remain in Malaysia is at the decision and discretion of the Malaysian Immigration Department.

If you require such a letter, you may request one from the U.S. Embassy by completing this form:  https://bit.ly/2Wd64te

The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur encourages all citizens with visas that have expired during the MCO to depart Malaysia as soon as possible to be in compliance with Immigration requirements.

Travel Letter from the U.S. Embassy
IMPORTANT NOTICE:  U.S. citizens and Foreign Nationals traveling to the United States who wish to depart Malaysia during the Movement Control Order MUST have a letter from the U.S. Embassy to present to the Royal Malaysia Police while traveling to the airport during the MCO and CMCO.  For additional information and instructions on how to request this letter, please visit our website and complete this form: https://bit.ly/2Wd64te

Movement Control Order and Mandatory Quarantine
The Malaysian government extended the MCO through June 9, 2020, though this end date may be extended again at the discretion of the Malaysian government.  All foreign nationals are restricted from entry to Malaysia during this time.  Any travelers permitted to enter Malaysia during the MCO will be subject to COVID-19 testing and a mandatory fourteen-day quarantine.  Travelers will be transported directly from the airport to a quarantine facility by Malaysian authorities. Foreign nationals, including Malaysian permanent residents, will be required to cover the costs of this quarantine, which will be a minimum of RM150/day.  For additional information on quarantine requirements and costs, please contact the Malaysian National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

Foreign nationals may transit through the international terminals of Malaysian airports but may not pass through Immigration.  The MCO prohibits all individuals – Malaysian citizens and foreign nationals – from movement and mass assembly within Malaysia.  U.S. citizens may be subject to temperature screening at workplaces, grocery stores, or at police checkpoints.  U.S. citizens should avoid crowded areas, practice social distancing, and wash hands frequently.  U.S. citizens should carry a copy of their passport and visa with them at all times.  U.S. citizens are subject to local laws and regulations while visiting or living in Malaysia.

Malaysia COVID-19 Information
Malaysia has confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the country.  For more information regarding COVID-statistics in Malaysia, please review the Malaysian Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Portal and visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19.

Commercial Flight Availability and Travel Restrictions
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.

Very limited commercial flights remain an option for U.S. citizens wishing to depart Malaysia.  Many airlines have cancelled international flights and several transit countries have set up new quarantine restrictions or have barred international transit altogether.  Please note that flight schedules are likely to change with little advance notice.   Limited domestic flights continue to operate in Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak.

The U.S. Embassy is unable to book airline tickets on your behalf.  Please continue to reach out to airlines and utilize commercial websites to book or change your tickets.  We encourage you to look at all flight options flying into the United States, regardless of whether the flight is going to your final destination; it may be necessary to book a second ticket onward. We will post any alerts and updates on the COVID-19 situation in Malaysia on our Embassy’s webpage on COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 – Avoid Non-Essential Travel– Notice for Malaysia.  The State Department has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel.

Countries around the world are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice.  Any U.S. citizen returning home should be prepared for additional travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.  Travelers should closely monitor the situation in Malaysia and other transit countries before travel.

 

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