Malaysia Visa Free Travel For Indians: There is good news for Indians thinking of traveling abroad. Malaysia has extended visa-free travel for Indian citizens for two years. Now Indian travelers can travel to Malaysia without a visa till December 2026. However, for this they will have to follow some important requirements.
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has officially extended the visa exemption for Indian citizens until 31 December 2026, as a key move to boost the country’s tourism and economic development. The announcement was made recently by Home Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Awang Alik Jeman. He said the move to extend the visa exemption for Indians coincides with Malaysia’s upcoming ASEAN chairmanship in 2025 and preparations for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
According to reports, the Visa Liberation Plan was first introduced in December 2023. The scheme allows Indian travellers to travel to Malaysia without a visa for up to 30 days. Indian citizens are required to present a return flight ticket on arrival and proof of sufficient funds, such as a bank statement or credit card, to enter the country. Malaysia has also extended a similar exemption to Chinese citizens. Currently two airlines operate flights between Kolkata and Kuala Lumpur.
Indian tourists play an important role in Malaysia’s tourism
Indian tourists have played an important role in Malaysia’s tourism sector. Over 735,000 arrivals were recorded in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Indian tourist arrivals surged after the introduction of visa exemptions, crossing one million in 2024. From January to November 2024, Malaysia welcomed 1,009,114 Indian tourists, a remarkable increase of 47 per cent compared to 2019 and a staggering 71.7 per cent compared to the previous year.
Key requirements for Indian travellers planning to visit Malaysia
- Passport valid for at least six months
- Confirmed return or onward flight ticket within 30 days of arrival
- Confirmed hotel booking with payment
- Adequate financial provision such as at least $50 per day
- Completion of Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online on the JIM portal
- Final profiling by Malaysian Immigration on arrival
- Birth certificate for minor applicants (along with a copy of parent’s passport)
It is important to know that travelers coming for work or other purposes must obtain the appropriate visa before entering Malaysia. The validity of visas varies. For example, a business visa is usually valid for 30 days and a work visa can last up to two years.
