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Preparing to move to Malaysia includes securing important documents, making copies, and a lot of planning. Ideally, you should make 3 copies of your passport, visas, and other important paperwork. Keep one with you, one in an accessible but safe place (like a safe deposit box), and one that is with a trusted relative or friend.

A checklist of other things to consider:

• Passports: check expiration- must not expire within 6 months of your arrival. Make at least 2 copies and keep one in a safe place separate from your original passport.
• Insurance: Buy medical insurance and possibly travel insurance to prevent unmanageable medical bills and enable entry into other countries.
• Visa: Research and apply for a visa. This can take several months to obtain before you leave, so start your application early. (For more information on visas, read the full section on 'Passport, Visa & Permits')
• Savings: Save enough money to support your cost of living and lifestyle plus travel costs with enough of a buffer to be prepared for the unexpected.
• Bring things to facilitate transition: A universal electric plug adaptor, any medications you take, or anything else to make you comfortable during the transition.

Financial Planning for the Move to Malaysia

Before departing, make sure all bills are paid or have a means of being paid. If you are retaining a residence while abroad, make sure the rent/mortgage is taken care of and that utilities are being paid while you are away. Insure that important institutions like your bank are able to reach you by providing a forward address.

If you are retaining a bank in your home country, ask about fees for overseas transactions. If you have a credit card, find out if there are additional fees or any changes you need to make with your account. Inform banking industries that you will abroad so as to not arouse suspicious activity on your account as anti-theft systems can see this activity and put a most inconvenient hold on your account.

Tax Planning for the Move to Malaysia

It is best to inform tax offices of any change in residency. Some countries have reciprocal tax agreements, and others may require you to pay some form of taxes both in your home country and aboard.

Most National Tax Administrations are an excellent resource for exactly what steps to take when moving away. For example, UK nationals should refer to the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for details of managing their taxation payments and National Insurance contributions in the UK while living abroad.

For more information, refer to our section on 'Tax System'.

Health Information for Travelers to Malaysia

Malaysia has a great health care with generally high standards compared to the rest of Southeast Asia. Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, and possibly a flu shot.

For concerns about your health when abroad, the World Health Organization (WHO) publishes International Travel and Health which is revised annually and is available free online. Another excellent resource is MD Travel Health. It provides free, complete travel-health recommendations for every country and is updated daily.