Malaysia has extended the 30-day visa exemption for Indian nationals until December 2026, boosting tourism and strengthening ties with India.
Malaysia Extends Visa-Free Travel for Indian Tourists Until 2026
In a significant move to strengthen its ties with India and boost tourism, Malaysia has announced the extension of its visa exemption policy for Indian nationals until December 31, 2026. The initiative, which began on December 1, 2023, allows Indian citizens to visit Malaysia for up to 30 days without needing a visa, as long as they present a return flight ticket and proof of sufficient funds for their stay, such as a bank statement or credit cards upon arrival.
This extension is part of Malaysia’s broader Visa Liberalisation Plan, aimed at stimulating economic growth and increasing tourism in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2025. The policy reflects Malaysia’s effort to position itself as a preferred destination for Indian travelers.
Boosting Tourism and Strengthening Ties
Saravana Kumar Kumaravasagam, the Consul General of Malaysia in Chennai, highlighted the significance of the extended visa exemption, calling it a great opportunity for Indian nationals to explore Malaysia’s rich culture, beautiful beaches, and vibrant cities without the usual visa application hassle. He emphasized that this policy would particularly benefit people from Tamil Nadu and across India.
The Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai, Hishamuddin Mustafa, also supported the move, stressing its role in attracting more Indian tourists to the country. He stated that the simplified travel process reaffirms Malaysia’s status as a preferred destination and that collaboration with Indian travel agencies and airlines is underway to create customized travel packages for different types of travelers.
Tailored Travel Packages for Indian Tourists
To cater to the diverse needs of Indian visitors, Tourism Malaysia is offering specialized travel packages. These include options for destination weddings, business events with top-tier conference facilities, educational tourism with cultural exchange programs, and leisure tourism showcasing iconic attractions in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Sabah, and Sarawak.
Tourism Growth from India
Indian tourists have long been a crucial segment of Malaysia’s tourism industry. Prior to the pandemic, over 735,000 Indian tourists visited Malaysia in 2019. Since the introduction of the visa exemption policy in late 2023, the country has seen a significant increase in Indian arrivals. By November 2024, over 1 million Indian tourists had visited Malaysia, marking a 47% increase compared to 2019 and a 71.7% rise from the same period in 2023.
This growth highlights the importance of Indian tourism to Malaysia’s economy, and the extended visa-free policy is expected to continue to drive this positive trend.
Malaysia’s extension of the visa exemption policy for Indian tourists is a strategic move aimed at further boosting tourism and fostering stronger bilateral relations between the two nations. By simplifying travel for Indian nationals, Malaysia is positioning itself as an attractive destination for both leisure and business travel, with tailored packages designed to meet the needs of diverse Indian travelers. As the number of Indian tourists continues to rise, this initiative is expected to play a key role in Malaysia’s tourism recovery and growth in the coming years.
