Foreign Consulates
Sabah has four full consulates in Kota Kinabalu — Philippines, Indonesia, China, and Japan — plus several honorary consuls with limited powers. For most other nationalities, the nearest full embassy or high commission is in Kuala Lumpur (1 hour 40 minutes by flight from KK).
For any life-threatening emergency, dial 999 (or 112 from a mobile). Contact your consulate or embassy after the immediate situation is resolved. See our Emergency Contacts page for all emergency numbers.
Find Your Country's Help
Select your nationality to see what consular representation is available in Sabah and the quickest way to get help.
Consulates in Kota Kinabalu
These four consulates offer full services including passport issuance, visa processing, and emergency assistance for their nationals.
🇵🇭 Philippine Consulate General
Address: Lot 1-3, Lorong Kemajuan, Karamunsing, 88000 Kota Kinabalu
Phone: 088-256 088
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Services: Passport renewal & issuance, visa, civil registration (birth/marriage/death), notarial services, overseas absentee voting, dual citizenship processing
Jurisdiction: All of Sabah, Sarawak, and Federal Territory of Labuan
🇮🇩 Indonesian Consulate General
Address: Jalan Karamunsing, 88000 Kota Kinabalu
Phone: 088-218 600
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Services: Passport, visa, labour affairs, civil documentation, consular protection, Indonesian overseas worker (TKI) support
Jurisdiction: Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan
🇨🇳 Chinese Consulate General
Address: Lot A-12-01, Block A, KK Times Square, Off Coastal Highway, 88100 Kota Kinabalu
Phone: 088-523 100
Emergency: 016-886 1193 (after hours)
Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (visa section)
Services: Visa, passport, notarisation, authentication, travel document, consular protection for Chinese nationals
Jurisdiction: Sabah, Sarawak, and Federal Territory of Labuan
🇯🇵 Japanese Consulate
Address: Suite 18.02, Level 18, Wisma Merdeka Phase II, Jalan Tun Razak, 88000 Kota Kinabalu
Phone: 088-254 169
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:30 – 4:30 PM
Services: Visa, notarial services, certificates, emergency assistance for Japanese nationals
Jurisdiction: Sabah
Honorary Consuls in KK
Honorary consuls cannot issue passports, visas, or emergency travel documents. They can provide emergency referrals, help you contact your embassy, and attest documents. For full consular services, contact your embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
| Country | Phone | Can Help With |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 088-263 762 | Emergency referral, document attestation, contact British High Commission KL |
| 🇫🇷 France | 088-268 515 | Emergency referral, document attestation, contact French Embassy KL |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 088-267 816 | Emergency referral, document attestation, contact German Embassy KL |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 088-232 460 | Emergency referral, document attestation, contact Austrian Embassy KL |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | 088-267 000 | Emergency referral, document attestation, contact Finnish Embassy (Bangkok/Singapore) |
Embassies in Kuala Lumpur
For countries without representation in Sabah, the full embassy or high commission in KL handles passport replacement, emergency travel documents, and consular protection. KL is a 2-hour 40-minute flight from KK, with multiple daily flights.
| Country | Phone (KL) | 24hr Emergency |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | 03-2168 5000 | 03-2168 5000 (ask for duty officer) |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 03-2170 2200 | +44 207 008 1500 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 03-2146 5555 | +61 2 6261 3305 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 03-2118 3550 | +1 613 996 8885 |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 03-2178 2533 | +64 4 439 8000 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 03-2161 6277 | — |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 03-4251 2336 | — |
| 🇮🇳 India | 03-2093 4100 | 012-261 9698 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | 03-2148 4222 | — |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 03-2168 8200 | +31 247 247 247 |
Most embassies have a 24-hour emergency line for citizens abroad. If you can't reach the KL number after hours, try the home country emergency line listed above — they can connect you with the nearest duty officer.
Emergency Procedures for Foreigners
Step-by-step guidance for the most common emergencies foreign nationals face in Sabah.
Lost or Stolen Passport
Go to the nearest police station immediately. You'll need the report number for all subsequent steps. In KK, the main station is at Jalan Dewan (088-529 222).
If your country has a consulate in KK, visit in person. Otherwise, call your embassy in KL. They will issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) — processing takes 1–7 working days depending on nationality.
Get a Special Pass if your visa has expired or is in the lost passport. Location: Kompleks Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, Jalan UMS, KK. Bring: police report, passport photocopy (if available), passport photos.
Domestic flights within Malaysia accept the police report + ETD or embassy letter as ID. You may need to visit your embassy in KL for a full replacement passport.
Keep a photo of your passport data page on your phone and in cloud storage (email it to yourself). Also carry a photocopy separately from the original. This speeds up replacement dramatically.
Arrested or Detained
Under the Vienna Convention, you have the right to contact your consulate/embassy. Tell the arresting officer: "I wish to have my consulate/embassy notified of my arrest."
Visit you in detention, ensure you are treated humanely, provide a list of English-speaking lawyers, contact your family, and monitor your case.
Get you released from custody, pay bail or fines, provide legal advice, or interfere with Malaysian legal proceedings.
Malaysia has mandatory death penalty for trafficking certain amounts of drugs (e.g., >15g heroin, >200g cannabis). Possession of smaller amounts carries severe prison sentences. Your embassy cannot override Malaysian law.
Hospitalised Abroad
Malaysian hospitals will treat you regardless of nationality. Go to the nearest A&E — see our Hospitals & Clinics page. Government hospitals charge lower foreigner rates than private hospitals.
Call your insurer's 24-hour emergency line. Many private hospitals (Gleneagles, KPJ) accept cashless admission with eligible insurance. Keep all receipts for claims.
They can assist with contacting family, liaising with hospital administration, helping arrange medical evacuation if needed, and confirming insurance coverage.
Death of a Citizen Abroad
In the event of a death, the relevant consulate or embassy assists the family with repatriation of remains, death certificates, and local formalities. Contact the embassy immediately — they have dedicated officers for this situation. Malaysian authorities require a police report for any unnatural death.
Visa & Entry Information
Malaysia offers visa-free entry to citizens of 163 countries. Here are the most common visitor nationalities and their allowed stay periods:
| Stay Period | Nationalities (Examples) |
|---|---|
| 90 days | UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, most EU countries, ASEAN (except Myanmar) |
| 30 days | China, India (eVisa), Bangladesh (eVisa), Saudi Arabia |
| 14 days | Some African countries, Myanmar |
| Visa required | Check imi.gov.my for your specific nationality |
Sabah and Sarawak control their own immigration. When flying from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah, you pass through immigration again and get a new entry stamp. Your permitted stay resets. This also means overstaying in Peninsular Malaysia doesn't affect your Sabah entry — but don't test this.
Tips for Foreign Nationals
Use your country's travel registration (STEP, Smartraveller, etc.) so your embassy can reach you in emergencies.
Keep a photocopy of your passport data page and visa separate from the originals. Store a photo in your cloud email.
Save your embassy's KL number and 24-hour emergency line in your phone before you travel.
Minimum RM400,000 (USD $100,000) medical coverage recommended. Ensure it covers medical evacuation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q What should I do if I lose my passport in Sabah?
Step 1: File a police report at the nearest police station — this is required for all next steps.
Step 2: Contact your country's consulate in KK (if available) or embassy in Kuala Lumpur. They can issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD).
Step 3: Visit Malaysian Immigration in KK (Kompleks Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan) to get a Special Pass allowing you to stay while your replacement document is processed.
Processing typically takes 3–7 working days depending on your nationality. Some embassies can issue same-day ETDs in genuine emergencies.
Q Can an honorary consul issue me a new passport?
No. Honorary consuls have very limited powers. They can provide emergency referrals, help you contact your embassy, attest documents, and offer general guidance — but they cannot issue passports, visas, or emergency travel documents.
For passport replacement, you must contact your country's full embassy or high commission, which for most countries is in Kuala Lumpur.
Q Which countries have visa-free entry to Malaysia?
Citizens of 163 countries can enter Malaysia visa-free for periods ranging from 14 to 90 days depending on nationality. Common examples:
- 90 days: UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most EU countries, Japan, South Korea
- 30 days: China (expanded from 15 days in 2024), India (under certain conditions), most ASEAN countries
- 14 days: Some African and Middle Eastern countries
Check the Malaysian Immigration Department website or your nearest Malaysian embassy for your specific nationality. Rules can change — always verify before travel.
Q Is there a consulate for US/UK/Australian citizens in Sabah?
There is no US consulate in Sabah. The nearest US Embassy is in Kuala Lumpur (03-2168 5000). The UK has an honorary consul in KK who can provide limited emergency assistance (088-263 762), but for passport replacement or full consular services, contact the British High Commission in KL (03-2170 2200).
Australia has no representation in Sabah — contact the Australian High Commission in KL (03-2146 5555). In a genuine emergency, the Australian government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre can be reached at +61 2 6261 3305 from anywhere in the world.
Q What if I'm arrested in Sabah as a foreigner?
Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, you have the right to contact your country's consulate or embassy. Malaysian authorities are required to inform the relevant embassy if you request it.
What your embassy can do: Visit you, ensure fair treatment, provide a list of local lawyers, and contact family.
What they cannot do: Get you released, pay fines or bail, provide legal advice, or interfere with Malaysian legal proceedings.
Always ask the arresting officer to notify your embassy immediately.
Q Do I need to register with my embassy when visiting Sabah?
Recommended but not required. Many countries offer voluntary travel registration programmes:
- US: STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) — step.state.gov
- UK: FCDO travel registration
- Australia: Smartraveller — smartraveller.gov.au
- Canada: Registration of Canadians Abroad
Registration means your embassy can contact you in an emergency (natural disaster, political unrest) and provide faster assistance.
Sources & References 10 sources
Last verified: March 2026
Consulates & Embassies
- Philippine Consulate General, Kota Kinabalu Official Philippine consulate
- Indonesian Consulate General, Kota Kinabalu Official Indonesian consulate
- Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu Official Chinese consulate
- Consulate of Japan in Kota Kinabalu Official Japanese consulate