Malaysia goes visa-free for Indian citizens

Malaysia has joined the growing list of countries that offer visa-free entry to Indian citizens, marking the latest addition to this exciting trend. Travelers from India can now explore Malaysia without the need for a visa, following the recent announcement by the country to grant visa-free entry to both Indian and Chinese citizens.

 

With Malaysia included, Indians can now enjoy visa-free access to a total of 30 countries, including destinations like Albania, Mauritius, Barbados, Bhutan, Nepal, and many others. This development was disclosed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with the new policy set to take effect from December 1 for visitors from India and China. While the current cost of the Malaysian tourist e-visa for Indians stands at INR 3,799 per person, the new visa-free rule allows Indian travelers to stay for up to 30 days without the hassle of a visa. However, security screenings will continue to be conducted for Indian nationals.

The objective behind implementing the visa-free policy is to boost tourism from India and China, recognizing them as significant markets for Malaysia. Additionally, the country aims to attract more investors from these two nations. The simplified entry process is expected to facilitate seamless travel to Malaysia, renowned as one of the premier tourist destinations in Asia.

 

Malaysia's move follows the recent decisions by Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Thailand to allow visa-free entry for Indians. Notably, Sri Lanka and Thailand have extended this privilege until March 31 and May 10, 2024, respectively. Travelers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, as visa-free travel eliminates the need for any paperwork, making the experience akin to domestic travel within one's own country, one can just pack the bagage and and fly to the destination.