Welcome To Kuching

List of areas in Kuching

Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. Being the most populous city in the state of Sarawak, Kuching emerged as one of the most vibrant cities in the region and it is the largest city on the island of Borneo and the fourth largest city in Malaysia. Kuching was elevated to city status on 1 August 1988 and carries the nick name of Cat City.

Due to its vastness the city was divided into two administrative areas: namely north and south. The City of Kuching North Commission or Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara DBKU), in Malay, administrates the northern part and the Councils of Kuching South or Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan (MBKS) the southern part.

At its establishment, DBKU started with only eight personnel on its payroll in August 1988. DBKU now (2008) has 1,007 personnel under its employment comprises; 35 full time professionals and administrative staff, 696 support staff and 276 daily paid workers.

Kuching City is populated by people of many ethnic groups; namely the Malays, Chinese, Iban, Bidayuh and Melanau each with their different cultural backgrounds making Kuching as an interesting ethnics showcase to tourists both foreign and local. Kuching City also has many parks and historical landmarks.

Kuching North City Hall area

Kuching South City Hall area


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Visit Kuching

Immigration

Every person entering Malaysia must possess a valid national Passport or internationally recognised Travel Document valid for travel to Malaysia. Any person not in possession of a Passport or Travel Document that is recognised by the Malaysian Government must obtain a Document in lieu of Passport. Application for the Document in lieu of Passport can be made at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad. Holders of Travel Documents like a Certificate of Identity, Laisser Passer, Titre de Voyage or a Country's Certificate of Permanent Residence must ensure that their return to the country that issued the document or the country of residence is guaranteed. The documents shall be valid, for more than six (6) months from the date of entry into Malaysia.

Visa Requirement

Foreign nationals who require a Visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a Visa in advance at the Malaysian Representative Office before entering the country. A visa is an endorsement in a passport or other recognised travel document of foreigner indicating that the holder has applied for permission to enter Malaysia and that permission has been granted.

Foreign nationals who require a Visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a Visa in advance at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad before entering the country. Visa that has been granted is not absolute guarantee that the holder will be allowed to enter Malaysia. The final decision lies with the Immigration Officer at the entry point.

Visa On Arrival Service

The Visa On Arrival (VOA) service is now available at the Kuching International Airport. The service which was introduced nationwide on September 1, 2006, was in line with Malaysia effort to encourage more tourists particularly from China and India.

The service was also introduced to cater for the anticipated tourist influx during Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

Apart from Kuching International Airport, the VOA service is also available at Kuala Lumpur Internatioal Airport, Penang International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Senai International Airport and Tanjung Kupang in Johor.

Application for VOA can be made at the Immigration Check Point at the Arrival Hall in KIA. At the moment there is no special counter set up to process the VOA application. However, plan is in the pipeline to set up a special counter to handle VOA service.

A Mandarin speaking translator is also available the Immigration Counter to assist Mandarin speaking tourists with the VOA application.

The processing fee for VOA at KIA is RM100 per person and at the moment payment is in cash only. No payment in foreign currency and credit card will be accepted.
The VOA application is for a single entry visa and will only be issued for social visit only. Those intending to apply for multiple entry visas should do so with their respective consulate.

The visa will only valid for 30 days and applicants must possess a confirmed return ticket as well as a valid passport. Applicant intending to apply for the VOA should not be listed on Malaysia‚“Suspect List".

VOA service is only eligible for tourist coming from Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar (ordinary passport), Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Taiwan.

VOA is not available to tourists from the following countries unless they possess work permit issued in Singapore. The countries are Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Cote D’lvoire, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djiboufi, Equatorial Guinea, Eritea, Ethiopia, Guinea- Bissau, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda and Western Sahara.
The service is strictly not available for tourists coming from Isreal, Republic of Serbia, Republic of Montenegro and Colombia.

Return Travel Ticket and Sufficient Funds

A visitor is also required to present proof of his financial ability to finance his/her stay in Malaysia together with a confirmed return ticket to another destination.

Non Prohibited Person

Any person classified under Section 8 of Immigration Act 1959/63 will not be allowed to enter Malaysia even though he/she is in possession of a valid Passport or Travel Document, Visa, travel ticket and sufficient funds.

Arrival/Departure Card (IMM.26)

A visitor is required to complete the Arrival/Departure Card (Imm.26) upon arrival at the gazette entry points. This card is obtainable at any entry point, Malaysian Representative office abroad or travel agencies.

A visitor must present his/her passport together with the duly completed arrival / departure card to the Immigration officer on duty and he/she must ensure that the passport or travel document is endorsed with the appropriate pass before leaving the immigration counter.

Visit Kuching by Flight

Domestic Flight

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KUCHING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Kuching International Airport, located approximately 15 mile (22km) from the city center, is the main air service provider for the city as well as a base for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The airport is now modern and pleasant. International airlines operating in Kuching includes:

SilkAir
Royal Brunei
Tiger Airways
Jetstar Airways and
Batavia Air.

When checking in, note that all flights outside Sarawak are considered "international", even if you're only going elsewhere in Malaysia

From KCH (KIA)

* Airasia: Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Labuan, Kota Kinabalu, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Penang, Singapore, Jakarta, and Macau.

* MASwings: Mukah, Bintulu, Sibu, Kota Kinabalu, Miri, Tanjung Manis


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