Malaysia considers visa-free entry for Chinese tourists

By Hoang Phong September 30, 2023 | 06:00 pm PT

Chinese travelers disembark from an airplane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 in Selangor, Malaysia, April 1, 2022. Photo by Reuters

The Malaysian government is considering following Thailand by waiving visas for Chinese travelers to boost its tourism recovery in the peak year-end months.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to draft a report on visa exemptions for Chinese tourists, The Rakyat Post reported, citing a source from Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

If implemented, the policy could allow Chinese tourists to enjoy visa-free entry "for a certain number of days," Sin Chew Daily quoted the ministry’s Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing as saying.

At present, tourists from China can obtain a 15-day visa-on-arrival upon entering Malaysia.

Malaysia is predicted to welcome at least 18 million international tourist arrivals in 2023, surpassing its initial target of 16.1 million.

Southeast Asian countries have sped up their international tourism recovery by relaxing visa policies and boosting tourism promotion campaigns.

Starting September 25, Thailand, Southeast Asia’s second largest economy, waived visa requirements for Chinese travelers for five months as it expects the temporary waiver could help attract 5 million additional visitors.

Starting August 15, Vietnam began accepting e-visa registrations from citizens from all countries and territories, with a visa valid for multiple entries and for 90 days.