Malaysia has officially extended the visa exemption for Indian citizens until 31 December 2026, as a key move to boost the country’s tourism and economic development. The announcement was made recently by Home Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Awang Alik Jeman. He said the move to extend the visa exemption for Indians coincides with Malaysia’s upcoming ASEAN chairmanship in 2025 and preparations for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

According to reports, the Visa Liberation Plan was first introduced in December 2023. The scheme allows Indian travellers to travel to Malaysia without a visa for up to 30 days. Indian citizens are required to present a return flight ticket on arrival and proof of sufficient funds, such as a bank statement or credit card, to enter the country. Malaysia has also extended a similar exemption to Chinese citizens. Currently two airlines operate flights between Kolkata and Kuala Lumpur.

Indian tourists play an important role in Malaysia’s tourism

Indian tourists have played a vital role in Malaysia’s tourism sector. Over 735,000 arrivals were recorded in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of visa waivers has led to a surge in Indian tourist arrivals, which is set to surpass one million in 2024. From January to November 2024, Malaysia has welcomed 1,009,114 Indian tourists, a remarkable increase of 47 per cent compared to 2019 and a staggering 71.7 per cent compared to the previous year.

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