In a bid to boost its tourism sector, Malaysia is set to roll out a visa-free entry policy for citizens of China and India, allowing stays of up to 30 days, starting from Dec. 1.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made the groundbreaking announcement during a speech at his People’s Justice Party congress on Sunday, signaling a significant shift in the country’s tourism strategy, Reuters reported.
The Home Affairs Ministry of Malaysia released a statement on Monday, confirming that the visa exemptions for Chinese and Indian nationals would be in effect until Dec. 31, 2024. This move is part of Malaysia’s broader efforts to revive its tourism industry, which has been heavily impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
China and India, respectively, rank as Malaysia’s fourth- and fifth-largest sources of tourists. The Southeast Asian nation has recorded a total of 9.16 million tourist arrivals between January and June this year. Notably, China contributed 498,540 tourists, while India accounted for 283,885, according to government data. These figures mark a notable recovery from the corresponding period in 2019 when Malaysia saw 1.5 million arrivals from China and 354,486 from India, pre-pandemic.
The visa-free entry initiative is expected to have a dual impact, enticing more visitors and bolstering Malaysia’s economic recovery. It aligns with the broader trend in Asia, where nations are implementing similar measures to attract international tourists and reinvigorate their tourism-dependent economies.
Last week, China reciprocated the gesture by announcing visa-free entry for citizens of Malaysia and several European countries, fostering a spirit of reciprocity in international travel. Meanwhile, Thailand, Malaysia’s neighbor, has also exempted Chinese and Indian nationals, among others, from visa requirements, underscoring the regional commitment to revitalizing the tourism sector.
