China is set to extend visa-free travel for Malaysian tourists from 15 to 30 days for another year, ending at the end of 2025, according to the Malaysian Ambassador to China, Datuk Norman Muhamad.
He also revealed that China has agreed to consider the proposal and is expected to finalise discussions on the new decision during Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s official visit to China, scheduled for June 4, VisaGuide.World reports.
For the proposal to extend the visa exemption for Malaysian tourists raised by Ahmad Zahid was well received by the Chinese government, and the decision is expected to be announced during the official visit of China’s top leaders to Malaysia next month.
Ahmad Zahid, who is on his first official visit to China, is scheduled to attend the celebration ceremony of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Malaysian embassy in Beijing.
Last year, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a 30-day visa exemption for tourists from China and India starting December 1, 2023, and valid until the end of December 2024.
Previously, China also started permitting visa-free entry for Malaysian citizens from December 1 until November 30, 2024. As a result, Malaysian citizens could enter and visit China without a visa for up to 15 days for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, and transit.
In One Day, 1,113 Malaysians Visited China Following Visa-Free Entry Program
The day this decision was implemented, China’s National Immigration Administration revealed that 1,113 Malaysians had entered the country.
The Chinese government implemented the same program for five other European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. From these countries alone, the number of visitors who entered China on December 1, 2023, reached 2,029. Of these, more than 50 percent were Malaysian nationals.
Malaysia Expects to Welcome About 5 Million Chinese Tourist This Year
Last month, authorities predicted that around five million Chinese visitors would be welcome this year. They said such a target is based on the current frequency of more than 247 weekly flights with nearly 4.9 million seats from China to Kuala Lumpur.
In addition to Kuala Lumpur, airlines from China have shown interest in operating direct flights to major cities in Malaysia, such as Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kuching.
Thus, Sichuan Airlines has also planned to operate flights from China to Kuching. The country welcomes airlines from China to operate direct flights to Kuala Lumpur and charter flights.
This aligns with the Ministry’s aim to increase direct flights, especially about Visit Malaysia 2026.