Foreigners entering Malaysia required to submit digital arrival cards

The new requirement took effect from Dec. 1 as the Southeast Asian country seeks to improve existing immigration facilities to attract foreign tourists and generate national income, the department said on its website.

Foreign tourists will have to give their personal details, including name, nationality, passport and arrival information as well as departure dates on the website.

However, exceptions are given to Malaysia’s permanent residents, Malaysia Automated Clearance System pass holders, and those transiting or transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance, it wrote.

Starting from Dec. 1, Malaysia offers 30-day visa-free travel for tourists from China and India to boost its tourism recovery.

Before the pandemic China was the country's third largest source of tourists, with around 3.1 million of them visiting in 2019, according to data from Tourism Malaysia.