If you’re Singaporean, you may have thought about moving to Malaysia. Moving itself can be so overwhelming. Not only do you have to pack up your whole life and move to a foreign land, but you also have to adapt and understand new cultures and surroundings. This all may seem a little much at first but with a lot of research and preparation, you’ll be fine.

Planning on moving to Malaysia? It is important to do your research on these key areas – visas, schools, telcos, transport and the community. Listed are some of the things you need to know before moving to our neighbouring country.

Visa

First off, getting a visa – generally getting a permanent residency in Malaysia is quite difficult. Nonetheless, expats are eligible to apply for a residence pass if they’ve lived in Malaysia for over 3 years and earn a basic salary of at least RM15,000 per month. Owning a residence pass allows them to stay in Malaysia for up to 10 years. Besides that, you can easily obtain a work permit if you wish to work in the country, as long as the company that is hiring you provides proper documentation.

Read also: 12 things to know about Singapore Visas

Schools

If you’re planning to move with your family, it is important to do some research on school districts and what type of schools that provide similar syllabus as your child’s current school. This allows the child to have a smooth transition and not experience too much of a culture shock. Malaysia offers a variety of International Schools to choose from and before you know it – you’ll find the right one for your children. Be sure to get accustomed to your surroundings and the area you’ll be living in.

Telco/Broadband Services

Stay connected with family and friends all over the world – choose the right service provider for you. In Malaysia, there are different types of telco/broadband service providers to choose from. It is important to survey each one and understand the service plans they provide. They each offer something different to their users, some have good deals on internet packages and some provide international calls at low prices. Besides, you don’t have to rush into your decision of finding a service provider, it’s is fairly easy to get WiFi access around the city.

Plus, Kaodim provides services in Malaysia too! So, once you’ve decided on your Malaysian broadband service provider – hire our trusted professionals to install it for you. 

Transportation

Getting from one place to another is fairly easy in Malaysia – especially in the bigger cities. With all sorts of ride-hailing apps and public transportation, moving around would not be a problem. Getting to work will be a piece of cake! Recently added transportation infrastructures such as the MRT, LRT and upgraded KTMs, can help you get to your destination with ease. Additional routes are being added to their public transportations – making things much more convenient for its users. With that, you could also travel within the country and visit different states. The best part is that signage is in multiple languages so it is easy for foreigners to understand them.

Community Activities

Pro tip – get out of your comfort zone. The best way to get get to know different cultures and to understand them is to immerse yourself in it. Allow yourself to learn new things from the locals and even integrate your values and views with theirs. In Malaysia, it’s all about the food – so why not join a cooking class and learn to make a few local dishes. If you’re no MasterChef, maybe you could visit museums and galleries to understand the rich history and culture Malaysia has to offer. Other than that, you could also book one of our group outing packages on Kaodim to explore other parts of Malaysia with your family and friends.

Conclusion

When it comes to moving to a new country – the key rule is to always do your research beforehand to prepare you for what’s to come. Before you pave way for the new, you may want to get your previous home spick and span or get your new home move-in ready.

Get your home spotless or have necessary repairs sorted with Kaodim Singapore or Kaodim Malaysia! Cleaning, renovation and more at your fingertips, and if you need help with your move don’t hesitate to hire Moovaz to help you with your moving and relocating needs, be it internationally or locally.