Indian nationals may stay for up to 30 days visa-free, Anwar said in a speech at his People’s Justice Party’s annual congress in Putrajaya on Sunday. However, Indian nationals would be subject to security screening, he added.
Along with Indian citizens, Chinese nationals will also be allowed visa-free entry from December 1, the prime minister said.
Malaysia is counting on extra tourist arrivals — and their spending — to support economic growth. Anwar last month announced plans to improve visa facilities next year to encourage the entry of tourists and investors, “especially from India and China.”
Malaysia will scrap entry visa requirements for citizens of China and India visiting the nation beginning Dec. 1, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Chinese and Indian nationals may stay for up to 30 days visa-free, Anwar said in a speech at his People’s Justice Party’s annual congress in Putrajaya on Sunday. This would be subject to security screening, he added.
Malaysia is counting on extra tourist arrivals — and their spending — to support economic growth. Anwar last month announced plans to improve visa facilities next year to encourage the entry of tourists and investors, “especially from India and China.”
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.
In a similar move for Indian travelers, Thailand and Sri Lanka recently announced visa waivers, opening doors for hassle-free journeys. Effective from November 10, Thailand has eliminated the need for a visa for Indian visitors, granting a generous 30-day stay. This favorable policy is set to last until May 10 next year, with the possibility of an extension if the demand continues to rise, as suggested by the Thai government.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand expressed their enthusiasm, stating, "We want more travelers to visit Thailand." Highlighting the growth in Indian tourism, they revealed that in 2022, the country welcomed 965,994 Indian tourists. Remarkably, from January 1 to October 31 this year, the number surged to an impressive 1,302,483 Indian tourists.
Sri Lanka joined the visa-free entry initiative in October, encompassing visitors from seven countries, including India, China, and Russia. This initiative, launched as a pilot project, became effective immediately and will extend its warm welcome until March 31, 2024.
Kajal Agarwal
