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COVID-19 Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur (June 10, 2020)
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25 MINUTE READ
June 10, 2020

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

Location:  Malaysia

 Event:  COVID-19

Countries around the world are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions, mandatory quarantines, and border closures with little advance notice.  U.S. citizens 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.

On June 7, 2020, the Prime Minister announced the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) effective June 10, 2020 through August 31, 2020.  Under the RMCO, additional restrictions have been lifted, including the requirement to obtain a police permit and Embassy letter for interstate travel.

Consular Services
Please note that all routine Consular Services at the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur remain suspended.  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 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.

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
During the RMCO, the Government of Malaysia has opened limited immigration services by appointment only.  If you are a U.S. Citizen with immigration questions regarding your current status or permission to stay in Malaysia, please contact the Malaysian Immigration directly regarding your particular situation.  Immigration has also shared the following guidance with the U.S. Embassy:

It is our understanding (though an official announcement from Malaysian Immigration is still pending) that U.S. citizens whose passes expired after January 1, 2020 seeking to depart Malaysia may do so within 14 working days after the RMCO period ends on August 31,2020 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, and Malaysian Immigration strongly encourages all social visit pass holders whose passes have expired to depart Malaysia as soon as possible.  

U.S. citizens seeking renewal or extension of passes that have expired after February 1, 2020 must apply within 30 working days after the RMCO period ends on August 31,  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 RMCO, you may be subject to immigration fines or other enforcement action.

On May 12, Malaysian Immigration published an updated FAQ at their website requesting that foreigners who hold social visit passes that expired before or during the RMCO and who are unable to depart Malaysia must present themselves at nearest Immigration Offices within the stipulated 30 working days and provide a supporting letter from their 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

U.S. Citizens with specific questions or concerns may contact the Malaysian Government call center (MyCGG) at 03-8000-8000.

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.

U.S. Citizens Returning to Malaysia
On June 10, 2020 the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) of the Department of Immigration issued guidelines on their website for expatriate, skilled worker, and knowledge worker employment pass holders and their dependents to request permission to return to Malaysia during the RMCO.  The U.S. Embassy has been unable to verify details relating to information on this website, and urges U.S. citizens to ensure they have all of the necessary requirements fulfilled and have received formal approval in writing before booking flights and commencing travel. 

Travel Letter from the U.S. Embassy
It is our understanding that U.S. citizens and foreign nationals traveling to the United States who wish to depart Malaysia during the Recovery Movement Control Order no longer need to obtain police permission or a letter from the U.S. Embassy to present to the Royal Malaysia Police while traveling to the airport during the RMCO.  However, we have not confirmed this is the case nationwide and therefore, we will still provide this letter upon request at https://bit.ly/2Wd64te.  For additional information and instructions on travel requirements for your state, please consult local police.

Malaysia My Second Home Holders (MM2H)
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) issued guidelines on its website to MM2H members seeking to re-enter Malaysia. The requirements include: registering your details with MOTAC; applying for approval to re-enter Malaysia from the Director General of Immigration Malaysia; providing proof upon arrival in Malaysia that you have tested negative for COVID-19 within the 14 days prior to entry; and signing a Letter of Undertaking agreeing to bear the cost for the mandatory 14 days of quarantine upon arrival in Malaysia.

You MUST have formal written approval from the Malaysian Government before you attempt to re-enter Malaysia.

For further queries or advice on the arrangements, please contact MOTAC at +60 3 8891 7189 (COVID-19 hotline), +60 3 8891 7424/7439 (MM2h department), or email mm2h@motac.gov.my.

Quarantine Information:
Any travelers permitted to enter Malaysia during the MCO will be subject to rapid COVID-19 testing upon arrival.  Those who test positive will be transferred directly to a designated government hospital for treatment, while those who test negative will be required to complete a mandatory fourteen-day self-quarantine.  As of June 10, 2020, this quarantine may be completed at home rather than in a designated quarantine facility.  Travelers will be required to download the MySejahtera application and will be issued a wristband for identification and monitoring by the authorities during their self-quarantine period.  For additional information on quarantine requirements, please contact the Malaysian National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). 

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.

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.

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