Malaysia announces visa-free travel for Indian tourists: What you need to know

In a move mirroring Vietnam, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, Malaysia has recently declared the removal of entry visa requirements for Indian citizens, effective from December 1. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim conveyed this decision.

What

• The decision to grant visa-free access to Indians in Malaysia aims to bolster the country's tourism sector, considering that Indian and Chinese tourists constitute a significant portion of global tourists.
• Indian nationals can enjoy visa-free stays in Malaysia for up to 30 days. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted this during his speech at the People’s Justice Party’s annual congress in Putrajaya on November 26, Sunday.
• However, he specified that this exemption would be subject to security screening.
• The Prime Minister stated, "Beginning December 1, we will extend an additional 30-day visa exemption to citizens of India and China for travel to Malaysia."
• Malaysia is relying on an influx of tourists and their expenditures to drive economic growth.

Recent similar initiatives

Thailand also recently waived visa requirements for visitors from India and Taiwan between November 2023 and May 2024, allowing Indian tourists a maximum stay of 30 days. This move was aimed at attracting more Indian tourists and supporting Thailand's tourism industry.

Prior to this, in October, Sri Lanka announced visa-free entry for tourists from India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand, effective immediately as a pilot project until March 31, 2024.