Malaysia to grant visa-free entry

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Malaysia witnessed a significant drop in arrivals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2023 is seeing 9.16 million tourists vis-a-vis 2019’s 1.5 million.

This move mirrors Thailand’s strategy to revive tourism and the economy.

Malaysia will grant visa-free entry to citizens of China and India for stays of up to 30 days. The mandate will be starting on Dec. 1, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar made the announcement late on Sunday during a speech at his People’s Justice Party congress and did not say for how long the visa exemption would be applicable.

China and India are Malaysia’s fourth and fifth-largest source markets respectively.

Malaysia recorded 9.16 million tourist arrivals between January and June this year with 498,540 from China and 283,885 from India. The statistics is based on government data.

That is in comparison with 1.5 million arrivals from China and 354,486 from India in the same period of 2019, prior to the pandemic.

The move follows similar measures implemented by neighbouring Thailand to boost its vital tourism sector and stimulate its sluggish economy, with Chinese and Indian nationals among those exempted this year.

Currently, Chinese and Indian nationals must apply for visas to enter Malaysia.

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