Malaysia welcomes Chinese and Indian tourists with visa-free 30-day stay from December 1

Malaysia witnessed a significant drop in arrivals due to the pandemic, with 2023 seeing 9.16 million tourists compared to 2019’s 1.5 million. This move mirrors Thailand’s strategy to revive tourism and the economy.

Visa Exemption: Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, revealed that starting December 1, citizens of China and India can enjoy visa-free stays of up to 30 days. This announcement, made during the People’s Justice Party congress, aims to bolster tourism. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Malaysia will grant visa-free entry to citizens of China and India for stays of up to 30 days 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.

Read: Malaysia plans to attract one million Indian tourists annually by 2024

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

According to government data, Malaysia recorded 9.16 million tourist arrivals between January and June this year, with 498,540 from China and 283,885 from India. That compared to 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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Boosting tourism. Malaysia welcomes Chinese and Indian tourists with visa-free 30-day stay from December 1

Malaysia witnessed a significant drop in arrivals due to the pandemic, with 2023 seeing 9.16 million tourists compared to 2019’s 1.5 million. This move mirrors Thailand’s strategy to revive tourism and the economy.

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Boosting tourism. Malaysia welcomes Chinese and Indian tourists with visa-free 30-day stay from December 1

Malaysia witnessed a significant drop in arrivals due to the pandemic, with 2023 seeing 9.16 million tourists compared to 2019’s 1.5 million. This move mirrors Thailand’s strategy to revive tourism and the economy.

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