Malaysia to Offer Visa-Free Entry to Indians and Chinese

28 Nov 2023

Close on the heels of similar moves by Sri Lanka and Thailand, Malaysia's Prime Minister has announced that Indians and Chinese citizens will enjoy visa-free entry for up to 30 days, starting from December 1.

The exemption, aimed at boosting tourism, will remain in effect until December 31, 2024.

Key Points

Prominent Announcement: Prime Minister disclosed the visa-free entry initiative during his address at the People’s Justice Party congress.
Top Source Markets: India and China are among Malaysia’s top five source markets for tourism, with 91 lakh tourist arrivals recorded until June this year.
Duration of Exemption: The visa exemption, applicable to both Indian and Chinese travellers, will be in effect until December 31, 2024.
Tourism Statistics: The Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board revealed a decline in tourist arrivals due to the pandemic, with around 5 lakh arrivals from China and 2.8 lakh from India until June 2023.
Post-Pandemic Recovery: Malaysia is optimistic about its post-pandemic recovery and aims to welcome 1.5 crore foreign tourists in the current year.
Significant Indian Diaspora: Malaysia houses a 29 lakh-strong overseas Indian community, including Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and NRIs.
Security Clearance: The 30-day visa exemption for Indian and Chinese travellers is subject to security clearance. Initial screenings will be conducted, and individuals with criminal records or terrorism risks will be denied entry.
Outbound Travel Trends: India emerged as the largest source market for outbound travellers in Asia in 2022, with top destinations including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, USA, Singapore, and Thailand.
Diaspora Travellers: A significant portion of outbound travellers from India comprises diaspora travellers.