Moving to Sabah Checklist — Everything You Need

Moving to Sabah—whether from Peninsular Malaysia or overseas—requires planning across housing, utilities, banking, and healthcare. This checklist breaks down the essential tasks before arrival, during your first week, and in your first month.

Before You Move

Complete these tasks 4–8 weeks before your arrival:

• Research housing: Browse rental sites (PropertyGuru, iProperty, Facebook groups) and shortlist areas. Decide on location: Kota Kinabalu city center, Likas, Sembulan, or suburbs like Menggatal.
• Arrange accommodation for the first week: Book a short-term rental, Airbnb, or hotel near your workplace/chosen area.
• Confirm job arrangements: If relocating for work, ensure employment contract is finalized and work permits (if needed) are in process.
• Visa & immigration (expats): Apply for MM2H, a work pass, or another long-term pass. Check current processing times with the issuing agency.
• Prepare documents: Documents from abroad must be authenticated by your country's embassy or high commission in Malaysia, then endorsed by the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, checked 7 October 2026).
• Arrange movers: If shipping belongings, get quotes from several international removal companies.
• Notify banks & utilities: Inform your current banks and utility providers in your home state of your move date.

First Week Essentials

Your first week should focus on immediate necessities: communication, identification, and banking.

Housing & Utilities

Finding & Securing a Rental

Popular sites include PropertyGuru, iProperty, and local Facebook groups (e.g., "Kota Kinabalu Rentals"). Rents and deposits are agreed with each landlord.

• Deposit: Agree the amount in writing and clarify what makes it refundable.
• Rental agreement: Always get a written agreement. This serves as proof of address for utilities and banking.
• Viewing: If possible, video call or ask a local property agent to inspect on your behalf, and agree any agent fee upfront.

Utilities Setup

Transport & Driving

Driving License

If you have a Malaysian driving licence, ask JPJ whether you need to update any details after moving to Sabah. Foreign licence holders should check with JPJ how long they can drive on their licence and how to convert it.

Vehicle Registration

If bringing a car from Peninsular Malaysia, contact JPJ Sabah before you ship it. In 2018 JPJ said road tax depends on where a vehicle is registered or kept (Paul Tan, 2018, checked 7 October 2026). Bring the vehicle's original documents, proof of ownership and your MyKad.

Grab & Local Transport

Grab (ride-hailing) is widely available in Kota Kinabalu and growing towns like Sandakan and Tawau. The app shows the fare before you book. Buses are cheaper but less frequent. Many locals prefer Grab for convenience.

Banking & Finance

Opening a Bank Account

Major banks in Sabah include Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank, RHB, and OCBC. Each has branches in Kota Kinabalu and larger towns.

• Required documents: Usually ID (MyKad or passport) and proof of address (rental agreement).
• Deposit: Each bank sets its own minimum opening deposit.
• Check first: Requirements differ by bank and account type, so confirm them before your branch visit.

Money Transfer & Remittance

Once your bank account is open, you can transfer funds through online banking, Wise, or local remittance services. Compare exchange rates and fees before sending money.

Healthcare

Health Insurance

While not mandatory for most residents, comprehensive health insurance is strongly recommended. Premiums depend on age and coverage, so compare quotes from several insurers.

Register with a Clinic

• Government clinics: Malaysian citizens pay RM1 for a general outpatient visit (Ministry of Health, checked 7 October 2026). Non-citizens pay unsubsidised rates. Waits can be long.
• Private clinics: Faster service; fees vary, so ask before you are seen.
• Dental care: Private dental clinics set their own fees, so ask for a quote before treatment.

For Expats & MM2H

MM2H Visa (Malaysia My Second Home)

MM2H is a renewable long-term social visit pass. Current federal requirements (MM2H, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, checked 7 October 2026):

• Property purchase: Compulsory after approval, and the home cannot be sold for 10 years unless you upgrade to a more expensive one (MM2H guidelines, checked 7 October 2026).
• Presence requirement: Participants aged 25 to 49 must spend 90 days a year in Malaysia (main applicant, spouse and dependants combined). There is no minimum stay from age 50.
• Dependents: Spouse; children under 21; children aged 21 to 34 if unmarried and not working in Malaysia; disabled children with no age limit; and parents or parents-in-law.
• Sabah MM2H: Sabah also runs its own programme, administered by the state Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, with applications made through licensed agents (Sabah MM2H, checked 7 October 2026).

Work Permits

If employed in Sabah, your employer typically handles the work pass application. Ask your employer about current processing times. Foreigners must hold a valid pass to work.

Document Authentication

If bringing original documents (degrees, marriage certificates), foreign documents must first be authenticated by your country's embassy, high commission or consulate in Malaysia, then endorsed by the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Documents in other languages must be translated into English first (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, checked 7 October 2026).

Setup Costs Overview

One-time costs to plan for in your first month. Most depend on your housing, bank and provider, so get quotes; where an official fee exists, it is shown.

Frequently Asked Questions