Whether you are moving to Malaysia for growing job opportunities or to enjoy a great standard of living, there’s no shortage of reasons why people are moving to Malaysia. Relocating internationally by yourself comes with a mix of unique advantages and challenges. There’s so much to feel excited about, but before you can begin daydreaming of the delicious food and stunning scenery, you’ll need to plan your international move to Malaysia. As we’ve helped many individuals successfully make Malaysia their new home, we have put together these helpful tips using our valuable expertise.
Advice for moving to Malaysia by yourself
Moving with a family is challenging, but relocating alone can feel additionally stressful as you are responsible for the entire move. To help reduce the uncertainty around your move, you can follow our advice below and will hopefully settle into Malaysia a little easier.
Organise your documentation early
Every move has its fair share of administration required, and relocation to Malaysia is no exception! There are numerous documents required before you can begin enjoying your new home. This documentation can include an up-to-date passport, the appropriate residence and working pass, and any medical and moving insurance. You should also update your immunisations and have appropriate records of all required vaccinations, such as COVID-19. If you are feeling a little stressed about preparing for the move and don’t know where to start, then you can follow our easy international moving checklist. It breaks down how best to prepare for your move, step by step.
Do a ‘trial run’
There’s no doubt that relocating to a new country from overseas can be a gamble, especially if you have never been there before! That’s why we recommend visiting Malaysia before you decide to relocate. It’s a great opportunity to understand what life will be like when living in Malaysia and ultimately help you understand if it is the right decision for you. Of course, taking a holiday is different to living somewhere, however you will find that your expectations will be more in alignment with reality once you move. You can also explore different areas and decide where you might like to rent or purchase a home.
Find work before you relocate
To secure your work visa in Malaysia, you will require proof of a job offer or contract so it’s important to have secured work before you relocate. You can find more information on the Immigration Department of Malaysia website. When it comes to Malaysian work culture, the standard workweek is 44 hours and the mandatory retirement age is 60.
Find a suitable city
Where you choose to live in Malaysia will have a huge impact on your overall quality of life and enjoyment. Kuala Lumpur is the beating heart of Malaysia, and you’ll find the majority of the career opportunities are here. However, don’t overlook cities like Penang or Malacca if you are able to work remotely as they offer a slower pace of life.
Understand the cultural differences
Malaysia is a melting pot of many different nationalities, ethnic groups and languages. This is also reflected in Malaysian culture, although the predominance of Islam has a significant influence. Because of this, Malaysia is more conservative than many Western countries which can cause some culture shock for expats after they relocate. It’s best to dress conservatively, especially for women, and avoid public displays of affection.
Pack strategically
As highly experienced movers, we’ve seen our fair share of people leaving their packing to the last minute. Not only does this add an additional layer of stress, but it also increases the risk to your belongings and furniture as they can be broken or damaged if they are not packed properly. We recommend getting started on packing as early as possible and taking a strategic approach to your list. Think about which items you can replace after you move and which furniture and belongings you can’t live without. As Malaysia's temperatures tend to stay high (around 30 degrees Celsius or 86 Fahrenheit) with high humidity, you won’t need to pack any thermal clothing or other winter coats. To help speed up the packing process, use a professional packing service so your precious items are safe and sound for their journey to Malaysia from overseas.
Connect with other expats
After relocating alone, it’s not uncommon for expats to struggle with feeling lonely. Being in a new place by yourself means you don’t have your support network around you and it can take time to create new relationships. Connecting with other expats is a great way to develop new friendships with people who are having a similar experience. You can meet new people in Malaysia by joining a sports club, local group, or by joining a social media group and through websites like MeetUp.
Move with the right international moving company
You can make the move to Malaysia significantly easier by using an experienced international moving company! When choosing your movers, choose a reputable company which can provide a strong track record of international moves to Malaysia. They should also have quality assurance processes in place, such as accreditation for ISO 9001. Ideally, your moving company will have a global network of movers so you don’t have to deal with multiple moving companies and can enjoy a seamless move to Malaysia.
Are you excited about
relocating to Malaysia from overseas? The highly skilled and experienced team at Allied Malaysia are ready to assist you and ensure your move is as smooth as possible.
Get in touch to receive your free quote which is specific to your move today.