Malaysia has announced visa free entry for Indian and Chinese passport holders starting December 1, 2023, and tourists from the two countries will be allowed to stay in Malaysia for a maximum of 30 days in a single visit.
Initially, this visa free policy will remain in force up to December 31, 2024.
In this article, you will read the details regarding this visa free policy, immigration requirements, Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, and other important stuff related to visa free travel to Malaysia. Let’s begin.
What Is Visa Free Entry?
A visa free entry means, a tourist can travel to Malaysia without a prior visa or seeking a visa on arrival. Under this policy, the visa requirement is totally waived. Upon arrival at a Malaysian check point, the tourist goes to an immigration counter, where his or her passport is stamped to allow stay for 30 days.
The permitted stay of 30 days cannot be extended.
Those tourists who already have an e-visa to visit Malaysia, need not show that visa upon arrival. It is not necessary and will not be entertained. Further, any visa fee paid by a tourist before the announcement of the visa free policy will not be refunded.
No Fee & No Photo
No fee is payable, and no printed photograph is to be submitted by the tourist.
Enter Via Any Country
Tourists from India and China can travel to Malaysia directly from their own countries, or via any other country. The visa free policy will still apply. In addition, no restriction has been announced on Malaysian entry and exit ports for this facility. What that means is, one can enter from one port (say Kuala Lumpur) and exit from another (say Penang).
Immigration Requirements
Even if the visa requirement is waived, a tourist still has to comply with the following requirements to enter Malaysia:
- A valid passport with a minimum remaining validity of six months and three blank pages.
- Confirmed return or onward journey air ticket for travel within 30 days, including the days of arrival and exit.
- Confirmed hotel bookings for the entire stay in Malaysia.
- Proof of funds to support stay in Malaysia
- *Compulsory online submission of Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)
*Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)
Prior online submission of Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) is mandatory for all foreign visitors coming to Malaysia from December 1, 2023.
MDAC has to be submitted online on the designated website (https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main) within three days before arrival, including the day of arrival. For example, if arriving on December 25th, MDAC can be submitted on December 23rd, 24th, or 25th. The online MDAC form can be filled by clicking on the “Register” button on the website linked above.
Details Required in MDAC
At the time of writing or updating this article, the following details were required to be filled in MDAC:
- Name
- Passport number
- Citizenship
- Gender
- Date of Birth
- Date of Passport Expiry
- Email Address
- Mobile Number with country code
- Dates of arrival and departure
- Mode of Travel (Arrival)
- Last port of embarkation (before Arrival)
It is a simple form, and after successful registration, a PIN is allotted which can be used along with the passport number to verify a previous registration.
Visa Free Entry Only For Business Visit or Holiday
The visa free policy is meant only for genuine vacation or business travel. Any person seeking to enter Malaysia to look for employment or study there will be denied entry.
Security Monitoring
The Malaysian government has also said that persons considered a security risk to Malaysia will not be allowed to gain visa free entry, and a special team constituted by the Immigration Department will monitor the entry and exit of Chinese and Indian tourists.
I have covered the basics here, and if you need any more information or clarification, please write a comment below. I will be happy to respond.
