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Malaysian Borneo – Sarawak Practical information

Visas

As a semiautonomous state, Sarawak has its own immigration controls designed to protect indigenous people from being swamped by migrants from the peninsula and elsewhere, and to prevent the smuggling of protected plants and animals. You will have to clear immigration every time you cross a border – travelling to or from the peninsula, Sabah, Brunei and, of course, Indonesia.

On arrival, travellers of most nationalities will be granted a three-month stay, though at some borders (particularly land crossings) you may only be given 30 days. Since you can easily spend a month exploring Sarawak, you may have to extend your visa. Extensions can be granted at the immigration office in Kuching.

If you plan to visit any of the longhouses above Kapit on the Rejang or Baleh Rivers, you will need a free permit, which can be easily obtained in Kapit.

The Indonesian Consulate (082-421734) in Kuching is south of the city centre. Most nationalities require visas to enter Indonesia, which is accessible from Sarawak by air at Pontianak or by land at Tebedu/Entikong. Visas may take several (usually three) days to process.

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