A strategic relaxation of visa requirements has proved extremely beneficial to Malaysia’s tourism industry. As of December 1, 2023, Malaysia has opened its arms to travelers from a whopping 134 countries to enter Malaysia visa free. This proved to be a smart move by igniting tourist interest with the simplification of the entry process.
This move targets not only regional neighbors but also citizens from key markets like the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Schengen Area by extending their visa-free stay duration. Citizens from GCC countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Schengen area countries like Germany, France, Italy, and Spain can now enjoy up to 90 days in Malaysia.
This policy differs slightly for other countries. ASEAN countries (except Myanmar) have been granted 30-day visa-free entry and travelers from Iran and Libya have 14-day visa-free entry.
This policy shift is a well-calculated move by the Malaysian tourism authorities. It is said that the goal is to attract 35.6 million visitors by 2026. By easing entry for a huge range of nationalities, Malaysia opens its doors to a wider audience, encouraging global connections and cultural exchange. The tourism sector is enjoying its benefits. But the Malaysian economy has been lent a hand too through increased spending by visitors. The increase in the number of tourists will create job opportunities in various sectors as well, such as transportation, retail, and local handicrafts.
Strategic Partnerships and Targeted Initiatives
Just making a policy does not mean the work is done, and seems like the Malaysian authorities are well aware of that. To capitalize on the momentum generated by the recent Malaysia tourist visa exemption, they are actively investing in strategic partnerships. As reported by ATQ News, a recent collaboration with Mastercard has been reported. It aims to streamline tourist spending and better their travel experience. A strategic roadmap is being designed and refined by industry stakeholders to solidify the position of Malaysia as a premier tourist destination.
Following are the lists of countries that will benefit from this policy, being exempt from the list of countries needing visa for Malaysia.
| 90 days Visa-free Stay in Malaysia | |
| United Arab Emirates | Norway |
| Morocco | Kyrgyzstan |
| Oman | Turkmenistan |
| Saudi Arabia | All European Union member states |
| San Marino | Bahrain |
| Qatar | Switzerland |
| Jordan | Kuwait |
| New Zealand | Lebanon |
| Canada | Liechtenstein |
| Australia | Tunisia |
| Uruguay | Iceland |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | South Africa |
| Brazil | Japan |
| Argentina | Yemen |
| Albania | European Union |
| Algeria | Sudan |
| Hong Kong | Turkey |
| South Korea | Syria |
| Maldives | United Kingdom |
| Cuba | Egypt |
| Peru | United States |
| Peru | |
| 30 days Visa-free Stay in Malaysia | |
| Seychelles | Senegal |
| Namibia | Malawi |
| Nauru | Suriname |
| Dominican Republic | Ukraine |
| Papua New Guinea | São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Palau | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Timor-Leste | Grenada |
| Belize | Vatican City |
| Honduras | Tonga |
| Zambia | Costa Rica |
| Guyana | Saint Lucia |
| Venezuela | Cape Verde |
| Madagascar | Benin |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Zimbabwe |
| Haiti | Mauritania |
| Sierra Leone | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| North Macedonia | Jamaica |
| Kazakhstan | Eswatini |
| Mongolia | Azerbaijan |
| Iraq | Barbados |
| India | Vanuatu |
| Tajikistan | Belarus |
| Armenia | Gambia |
| Uzbekistan | Tuvalu |
| Micronesia | Andorra |
| Somalia | Marshall Islands |
| Uganda | Botswana |
| Solomon Islands | Guinea |
| Vietnam | Taiwan |
| South Sudan | Gabon |
| Comoros | Paraguay |
| Moldova | China |
| Russia | Kiribati |
| Bolivia | Tanzania |
| Cambodia | Dominica |
| Mauritius | Fiji |
| Togo | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Nicaragua | Ecuador |
| Monaco | Kenya |
| Bahamas | El Salvador |
| Lesotho | Chad |
| Panama | Guatemala |
| Ghana | Macao |
| Mexico | Georgia |
| Samoa | Palestine |
| 14 days Visa-free Stay in Malaysia | |
| Libya | Iran |
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While the visa-free policy has already shown to have a lot of potential, one cannot stop expecting challenges in every situation. It is essential to manage and prevent overcrowding at popular destinations. Also, keeping up with the rise in the number of tourists with huge numbers along with infrastructure development is a requisite.
Wrapping Up
Although there are many countries needing visa for Malaysia, the country’s decision to offer visa-free entry to numerous countries proves to be a profitable move. The country is already seeing increasing tourist travel arrivals by making entry procedures simple for many travelers. With a continued focus on strategic partnerships, and infrastructure development Malaysia will ensure its position as a must-visit destination on the global tourism map.