What to Pack for Malaysia: A Useful Guide

Accommodation , saying good bye, flights, money, houses, cars, visa, paper work and much, much more. This is also on top of preparing for a new role or company! Anyone who has been through this process can tell you how it is a busy times life in any expat’s life.
ExpatWoman have made quick handy guide for you of what to pack for when you are moving to Malaysia. These are just a few essentials that should help your transition more smooth. You have a lot to think about and since the climate and culture might be different to your previous home, these are the top things you need to plan and pack to help on your way to expatland.

Planning

Start the Countdown
This is important. It may seem like a small thing to do but it will help you plan how much time you have to sort practical things and how much time you have to see everyone one before you go. If you are travelling as a family it will help people get excited about the move. It’s inevitable that some members of your clan might not been as keen as others for the move. If you create a buzz about it, the anxious member might be more likely to jump onboard with the change.

Save Your Money
The cost of moving cannot mount up. Things always crop us at the last minute that you do not expect. It’s best to have a safety net to fall onto. Try hard to add a little extra into your savings per month once you know you are moving. That way if any unexpected fees creep up you will have the funds to pay it. It will always cost more than you expect.

Do Your Paperwork (and Check It Twice)
With any move abroad the paper work always seems so confusing at first. Depending on what passport you hold will affect the requirements to enter Malaysia. There are different types of visa’s you can enter on. Make sure you research what you need. Nationals of some countries, including the US, Britain, Australia and South Africa, do not require a visa for entering Malaysia for short-stay tourist or business visits. However, you must make sure you have at least 6 months validity   on your passport!

For more information on the exact requirements you need please visit here: 
 
Research Shipping vs. Storage
Most people say “If you need to put it in storage you do not need it.” However, it really does depend on your circumstances. What accommodation is options do you have if you host country? How long are you going for? What is the cost of shipping? Are the furniture items sentimental?
Make sure you weigh up the costs. Remember you might not to be able to buy certain items in your home country so shipping might be a good option if you are use to a certain level of comfort. Just make sure you do not fall in into the trap of paying for storage then returning home to find you dispose of it anyway.
 
Address Any Health Needs
This is important to do before you leave home. The reason being is medical systems work in different ways in each country. It might be a while before you have valid medical insurance in your new host country. Make sure you leave home feeling as fit as possible and that you have any medication you might need. One thing to note, different countries have different laws about what medications are legal. Make you check you are not bringing anything into Malaysia illegally.

Check here for more information on custom regulations in Malaysia

SEE ALSO: Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

What to Pack?

There are some essentials you need to pack when you're moving to Malaysia. Especially since the climate is more than likely to be very different than your home country. Malaysia has a tropical climate and gets very hot and wet! Here are some of the keys things you should pack to help you survive your first few weeks in Malaysia.
 

• Light rain jacket
• Waterproof bag
• Mosquito net
• Mosquito repelleant
• Toliet roll (always carry one with you when you move house. You can buy it here, you just never know when you might get caught short)
• Anit-Maleria
• Loose clothes
• Linen clothes are a greta way to keep covered and cool
• Sun Cream
• Small amount of local cuurency
• Some home treats i.e tea bags, favourite snacks. Just a great way to have a few home comforts whiel seetling in
• A hat
• A deck of cards (Always fun to have a game handy while you are getting things liek WiFi set up)

If you are livivng in Malaysia and Would lke to add to our list then please get in contact at [email protected]