Malaysia Joins Visa-Free Initiative for Indian Tourists, Following Sri Lanka and Thailand

Following recent announcements by Sri Lanka and Thailand, Malaysia has joined the trend by offering visa-free entry to Indian tourists from December 1 to December 30. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that this waiver is an additional facility to existing visa exemptions enjoyed by Gulf nations, as well as other West Asian countries like Turkey and Jordan. The visa exemption is subject to top security screening, ensuring a thorough initial screening process for all tourists and visitors to Malaysia. The 30-day visa-free entry is part of Malaysia’s tourism strategy, targeting 16.1 million international tourist arrivals with RM 49.3 billion in tourism receipts. India remains a significant contributor to Malaysia’s tourist arrivals, with 324,548 Indian tourists in 2022 and 164,566 in the first quarter of 2023.

This move aligns with a broader trend in the region, as Sri Lanka introduced a visa-free entry initiative for visitors from India and six other countries, while Thailand lifted visa requirements for Indian and Taiwanese visitors. These measures aim to boost tourism and enhance international travel, signaling a positive development for Indian tourists exploring Southeast Asian destinations.