Tomorrow is Sunday. I am going by this, if you can see it https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y/thailand/renewing_new/adult which says you can have someone go in your place with photo ID (this is for application for a passport not ETD, so likely not an issue/ option for this situation). You would not need a countersignatory for a EDT which is applied for in person only I presume, additionally my passport photo is very clear and my appearance has not changed greatly so, if I were in the UK, I would not require a countersignatory (and requirements for the countersignatory are more lax when you are abroad). Really, the rush in and don't call would cost me hundreds it travel unnecessarily if the advice is to get an ETD as I would need dates of entry added to document and I do not have this yet. I plan to be in Indonesia for more than 6 weeks and so can apply there.
My question was only about entering Malaysia with an emergency travel document
No problem, an ETD is perfectly acceptable. I have verified this in TIMATIC, industry standard immigration requirements used by airlines.
The gov.uk website is not at all ambiguous, I find it perfectly clear. IMO you should follow the guidelines there.
I once applied for an Indian visa on an "emergency passport". They didn't, explicitly, tell me that I couldn't get a visa on the emergency passport; but they didn't end up giving me a visa either.
If I was you, I would go into the Malaysian embassy in Bangkok with your emergency passport and ask them if you could use it to get visa-free access to Malaysia, and if not, if they'd give you a visa. It is certainly conceivable that Malaysia will not let you enter on an emergency passport. It's also conceivable that the Indonesian embassy in Bangkok won't stick a visa into your emergency passport. You need to go and find those things out for yourself, and be prepared with a Plan B.
My question was only about entering Malaysia with an emergency travel document
No problem, an ETD is perfectly acceptable. I have verified this in TIMATIC, industry standard immigration requirements used by airlines.
The gov.uk website is not at all ambiguous, I find it perfectly clear. IMO you should follow the guidelines there.
It says on .gov website "Emergency Travel Documents
UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for exit from Malaysia. If you plan to use an ETD to enter or transit through Malaysia, check entry requirements with the nearest Malaysian Embassy or High Commission before you travel" so I didn't find that hugely enlightening. Thank you for the industry info, however, I expect it is valid but will double check if we plan to do this.
I once applied for an Indian visa on an "emergency passport". They didn't, explicitly, tell me that I couldn't get a visa on the emergency passport; but they didn't end up giving me a visa either.
If I was you, I would go into the Malaysian embassy in Bangkok with your emergency passport and ask them if you could use it to get visa-free access to Malaysia, and if not, if they'd give you a visa. It is certainly conceivable that Malaysia will not let you enter on an emergency passport. It's also conceivable that the Indonesian embassy in Bangkok won't stick a visa into your emergency passport. You need to go and find those things out for yourself, and be prepared with a Plan B.
I think I need to know before getting ETD as Malaysia trip would need to be entered into the document so will see how I do with a phone call initially if we decide to try going via Malaysia. They wouldn't need to have me long as next trip would be entered also! Crucial that an embassy/ consulate for Indonesia allows me a visa, however. I would be applying with family all with intact passport (why mine?!) and can provide an Indonesian reference letter if necessary.
Yes I read all that which is why I double-checked. I can't remember the features of the ETD offhand so checked for all variations i.e. machine-readable, digital photo, biometric and all are OK for arriving by air. As immigration requirements for air travel far exceed those of land borders I cannot envisage any problems for you.
In the end other travellers told me it wasn't that bad after the steam dried out and I now have an Indonesian visa in it (crossed into Malaysia by land with it also) so presume I will be let in... I will reassess the situation when I get there.
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