Visa For Borneo From Uk

You may have heard of “visa on arrival” for many countries. However, I’ll bet you haven’t heard of “visa on arrival” for Borneo, Malaysia. Before you mull over my recommendations, I’ll let you know that the Malaysian government recently introduced visa on arrival for all travelers from the UK.

Travelling to Borneo is possible, but getting a visa can be a headache. You don’t need to worry though! In this post I’ll show you how you can apply for your visa with no sweat or paperwork.

The new visa rules that have been introduced mean that it is now possible to visit the beautiful island of Borneo without a visa! It’s one of the most biodiverse locations on our planet and has so much to offer.

Visa For Borneo From Uk

Getting a visa can be difficult, but if you’re planning on visiting Borneo, it’s worth the effort.

Borneo is a beautiful island that’s home to several different cultures and languages. It’s also home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world—and it’s not just beaches! There are mountains and rainforests too! You’ll never get bored here!

If you want to visit Borneo but aren’t sure how to go about getting a visa for it, we’ve got you covered: we’ve written this article to tell you everything you need to know about getting a visa for Borneo from England (or anywhere else in the UK).

If you’re planning a trip to Borneo, you may want to consider getting your visa before you leave. You can apply for a Borneo visa in the UK, but it will take longer than if you apply at a consulate or embassy closer to home. The good news is that it’s fairly easy and straightforward to apply for a visa in the UK.

The first step is to decide if you need one. If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom or one of its territories (including Northern Ireland), then you do not need a visa for Borneo. If you are not from one of these regions then you may need to apply for one before leaving for your trip. It’s important to check with the embassy or consulate of Indonesia before applying for your visa because regulations change frequently and without warning.

Applying for a Borneo visa can be done online through the website of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). You’ll need some personal information like your passport number and date of birth plus whatever documentation they ask for depending on how long your trip is going to be as well as what type of visa they require (business vs tourism).

The British government has made it easier for citizens to travel to Borneo. In order to obtain a visa, you’ll need to follow these steps:

• Book your flight to Borneo with a UK airline or operator
• Apply for your visa at least 72 hours before your departure date
• Request an electronic visa (eVisa) if you plan on staying in Borneo less than 30 days

DO I NEED A VISA TO VISIT BORNEO?

Free ninety day visas are granted on arrival to citizens from fifty-eight countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, EU states, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, UK and the USA. Free thirty day visas are granted on arrival to citizens from Russia.

Every person entering Malaysia must possess a passport valid for more than six months from the date of entry into Malaysia and an onward flight within the visa allowance.

A yellow fever certificate is required upon landing in Malaysia for all travellers coming from, or having visited the in the last six months, countries as listed below:

Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Djibouti, Equador, Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts & Nevis, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Venezuela, Zaire and Zambia.

Please be sure to check with the travel department from your home country to see the most up to date visa information regarding travel to Borneo.

WHERE DO I ARRIVE WHEN VISITING BORNEO?

Most travellers will arrive via air to the island of Borneo. The cities of Kuching (KCH) in Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu (BKI) in Sabah both have international flights. Both of these airports are smaller as far as international airports go, but they have all of the normal amenities you would expect to find in an international airport.

WILL I BE ABLE TO CONTACT HOME WHILE I AM AWAY?

Borneo time is GMT/UTC plus 8 hours. Malaysia’s country code is +60. For making calls back home, international rates can be quite expensive, be sure to check with your local carrier prior to visiting Borneo. Consider downloading WhatsApp, a free internet-based texting and calling service to keep in touch with loved ones. Most larger cities and major towns have wi-fi available. Most restaurants, cafes, and fast food outlets provide wi-fi for free. However, keep in mind the internet in these areas is often slower than what would be expected back home.

Cellular service is available in major cities and it is easy to get a local, pre-paid SIM card. You can purchase your SIM card in the international airports, malls, and kiosks in town. Often times, small shops and convenience stores will have cards you can buy to top up on minutes and data. If you choose to buy a pre-paid sim card, stick to the larger carriers such as Digi, Celcom and Maxis. Once you are out in the jungle wi-fi and cellular service is limited.

WHAT VACCINATIONS DO I NEED?

We heavily advise that you schedule an appointment with your doctor, or a travel-specific doctor prior to coming to Borneo to discuss your health needs. Everything competes for attention in the jungle, this includes viruses and bacteria. For specific advice on how to prepare for the jungle please see our Health and Comfort section.

Malaria is often a concern for people travelling to the jungle. Although we cannot replace a visit with your doctor, we do have some valuable information on Malaria. Please do visit with your doctor to decide what prevention method would be best for you.

Do plan on bringing any prescriptions you may require during your stay. Medication is available in larger cities and towns in Borneo, however, we suggest you bring some basics from home.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITY OF MEDICAL FACILITIES IN BORNEO?

Malaysia has modern medical facilities in major cities and towns with western trained doctors. However, medical help is limited in rural jungle areas. We are trained to handle emergencies and can coordinate rescue for you should something go wrong.

Although we do not anticipate any problems during your trek, accidents do happen in the jungle. We require that you carry traveller’s insurance. Please be sure that you are covered for the activity you will be doing. For more information see our travel insurance page.

WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO AN ATM IN BORNEO?

Cash withdrawal from ATMs is available in most major towns and all major cities in Borneo. You can withdraw Ringgit, Euros and sometimes British Pounds and the US Dollar. However, most places only accept the Malaysian Ringgit. It is a good idea to carry cash on hand for smaller purchases in major cities, as retail outlets often require a minimum purchase of 50 Ringgit to use a card. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. However, when visiting villages, we advise that you use cash.

Maximum withdrawals from ATMs do not exist in Malaysia, however, your home bank may have a limit.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM TOILET FACILITIES?

Toilet facilities vary widely in Borneo. In major cities and towns, expect to find standard western toilets in most hotels and lodges. Public toilet facilities will vary in quality depending on location. These toilets often have both western and eastern squat style options. Most all toilet facilities in Borneo that are piped will have a washing hose. This can often mean that stalls and facilities are quite wet, including the seats themselves. Always carry toilet paper with you, as many places do not have paper.

In rural jungle areas, expect facilities to be much more rudimentary. Often in villages, there will be outhouses that are pit style drop toilets with a slat to squat over. It is encouraged to bring your own toilet paper for such houses and to use hand sanitizer after using a less-than-clean facility.

WHAT IS THE WATER QUALITY IN BORNEO?

The tap water in Borneo is safe to drink, however, some people do have stomach problems when adjusting. Here at Adventure Alternative, we do not promote the use of disposable plastic water bottles. A great option for treating water while in Borneo is with a SteriPen.

SteriPens use a UV light to treat water. Ice in drinks also tends to be a problem while travelling in hot regions. Although the ice used in drink found in restaurants, cafes, and street stalls typically comes from a factory, if you are nervous, ask for a drink without ice. Cold beverages are prevalent throughout Borneo, even in smaller villages. It is possible to have a cool beverage while in the jungle.

ARE THERE ANY LOCAL LAWS I SHOULD BE AWARE OF?

Every country has individual laws and customs that should be observed. For the most up to date information concerning the laws of Nepal please visit the UK Foreign Travel Advice pages on travel to Borneo.

HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF FROM LEECHES AND MOSQUITOES IN BORNEO?

Bugs and creepy crawlies are a part of everyday life in the jungle. Most of the time, the creepy crawlies are more afraid of you than you are of them and they will go out of their way to avoid you. The exception to this rule is leeches and mosquitoes.

The best protection from mosquitoes and leeches is to cover up exposed areas of skin. We recommend always wearing pants when travelling through the jungle. Using a mosquito repellent that contains at least 35% DEET will also help keep the bugs at bay. Some people use leech socks to protect themselves from leeches, but this is not required. Be sure to check yourself for leeches after trekking through the jungle. They are easily removed and more of a nuisance than dangerous.

Entry requirements for foreigners seeking to visit Malaysia

If you are a non-British citizen residing in the UK, you might need a visa to travel to Malaysia. Malaysian entry visas are generally issued in the following categories:

• Single entry visa
• Multiple entry visa
• Transit visa

Single entry visa

A single-entry visa can be obtained if you are planning to travel to Malaysia for purposes related to social visits. This short-term visa allows you to enter the country once during its validity period, which is usually 3 months.

You cannot extend your stay in Malaysia on a single entry visa. However, you may be granted an extension under the special consideration clause; for instance, when you fall sick, meet with an accident, or there is political unrest/war in your home country. For this purpose, you need to present the required proof and also submit a confirmed flight ticket back to the UK.

When applying for a visa extension, you should lodge the application in person and should carry your passport. You need to fill Form IMM. 55 and present return tickets or a visa and ticket to a third country.

Multiple entry visa

A multiple entry visa is issued to foreigners entering Malaysia for business activities or government-to-government matters. It allows multiple entries into the country within the validity period, which can vary between 3 to 12 months from the issue date. You can use this visa to stay in Malaysia for 30 days per visit and you cannot extend your stay period.

Note: Indian and Chinese citizens can apply for a multiple entry visa even if they travel to Malaysia for social visits.

In order to apply for a multiple entry visa, travelers must be able to present proof of sufficient funds and evidence of return or onward travel. Additionally, tour groups cannot apply for a multiple entry visa.

Transit visa

Transit visa is required only when foreign nationals enter Malaysia while transiting to other countries. If the traveler does not leave the airport premises and continues his/her journey to the next destination with the same flight, then he/she does not need a transit visa.

Visa application process

If you need to apply for a visa through the Malaysian Representative Office or at the Embassy or British High Commissioner’s Office, you will require the following documents:

• A visa application form, fully completed and signed by the applicant
• An original and a copy of the biodata + photo pages of the passport, which has a minimum validity of 6 months and at least 2 unused pages
• 1 recent, coloured passport size photograph
• Proof of valid immigration status in the UK, which can be a long-term visa or a residence permit
• 3 months’ bank statements, with the last month credit showing above GBP 600. Otherwise, you can also submit traveler’s cheque worth a minimum of GBP600+. You cannot display evidence of funds by showing cash in hand
• Flight itinerary that contains the arrival and departure dates from Malaysia
• Proof of accommodation in the form of hotel reservation
• Employed applicants need to present a letter from their employer granting leave of absence for the specific period
• Self-employed travelers can submit evidence of business activities and financial status in the form of a letter from HM Revenue that details tax contributions. They also need to share proof of company registration. This can be accompanied by a letter from the accountant
• Students are required to submit a letter from their school/college/university, describing their academic details
• Unemployed or dependent applicants can submit ID card, marriage certificate or birth certificate, long-term visa or residence permit, and an invitation letter from their sponsor
• Visa fees: £10.00 for regular single entry visas and £ 20.00 for regular multiple entry visas
• Yellow fever vaccination is required if the applicant holds a passport from any of these nations: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Colombia, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Guyana, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda and Venezuela

Travel to Peninsular Malaysia

If your itinerary includes travel to Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (also called Malaysian Borneo, which consists of the states of Sabah and Sarawak), you have to ensure that you carry your passport. You will need a separate entry stamp in East Malaysia at your first point of arrival.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

The government of Malaysia accepts UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) only at points of exit.

However, in addition, you need to secure a special exit pass from Malaysian Immigration prior to your departure date.

Again, if you use an ETD to enter or transit through Malaysia, you need to be sure of the current entry requirements by contacting the Malaysian Embassy or High Commission.

Conclusion

It is a fact that beaches with their sunshine, blue skies, beautifully white sands and wafts of cool sea breeze are very seductive and capable of roping us in. We can just imagine ourselves spending a whole day at the beach dabbling with the waves. Visa For Borneo From Uk.

Considering the fact that Borneo Dayak tribesmen look always in danger of extinction, it’s time to reconsider policy towards tribes and their cultural identities.