In a significant move to foster international tourism, Malaysia has officially lifted entry visa requirements for citizens of India and China. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made the groundbreaking announcement during his closing speech at the annual congress of the People’s Justice Party in Putrajaya on November 26.
Starting from December 1, travellers from India and China can enjoy a 30-day visa exemption, a significant policy change in Malaysia’s approach to global tourism. While the visa requirement has been removed, the Malaysian government emphasizes that the issuance of visas will still be contingent upon security screening. This strategic move recognises the importance of Chinese and Indian tourists, who rank as Malaysia’s fourth and fifth-largest sources of tourist arrivals, respectively.
Between January and June of this year, Malaysia recorded 9.16 million tourist arrivals, with India contributing 283,885 during the same period. This policy shift solidifies Malaysia’s position as a welcoming destination, ready to embrace a diverse array of international visitors.
