Malaysia has extended its 30-day visa exemption for Indian nationals until December 31, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen ties with India and boost tourism.

This initiative, launched as part of Malaysia’s Visa Liberalisation Plan, aims to promote economic and tourism growth in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, according to an official statement.

Under the visa exemption policy, which began on December 1, 2023, Indian nationals can stay in Malaysia for up to 30 days by presenting a return flight ticket and proof of sufficient funds for their stay, either in the form of a bank statement or credit cards, upon arrival.

Saravana Kumar Kumaravasagam, Consul General of Malaysia in Chennai, stated, “This is a great opportunity for people from Tamil Nadu and across India to explore Malaysia’s rich culture, pristine beaches, and vibrant cities without the hassle of applying for a visa.”

Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai, underscored the initiative’s role in boosting tourism. He noted, “Simplified travel reaffirms Malaysia as a preferred destination for Indian tourists. We are also working closely with Indian travel agencies and airlines to develop customised travel packages that meet the needs of every traveller.”

Tourism Malaysia is promoting tailored travel packages for Indian visitors across several segments, including destination weddings and social events in scenic venues, business events supported by world-class conference facilities, educational tourism offering cultural exchanges and academic programs, and leisure tourism with attractions in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Sabah, and Sarawak.

Indian travellers have been pivotal to Malaysia’s tourism industry, with over 735,000 arrivals from India recorded in 2019, before the pandemic. Following the introduction of the visa exemption, Malaysia witnessed a remarkable surge, surpassing one million Indian tourists this year.

From January to November 2024, Indian tourist arrivals reached 1,009,114, compared to 587,703 during the same period in 2023 and 686,338 in 2019, marking a 47 per cent increase over 2019 and a 71.7 per cent rise over 2023.

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