Starting December 1, Malaysia introduces an innovative policy granting long-term social visit passes to graduates from 23 selected low-risk countries, as announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Countries such as Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia and several European and Middle Eastern nations are included.
This initiative allows graduates to extend their stay for up to a year, facilitating further studies, travel, and part-time employment within legal job sectors.
This move is part of the Home Ministry’s broader Visa Liberalisation Plan, aimed at boosting Malaysia’s economy through tourism, a key growth driver. The plan, commencing on December 1, encompasses various initiatives, including a 30-day visa-free entry for Chinese and Indian tourists, as recently unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The effectiveness and return on investment of these measures will be evaluated after a year, taking into account security aspects and immigration facility performance. The government will reassess and refine these policies in anticipation of increased foreign tourist arrivals in the subsequent years.
Specific measures to curb overstaying by tourists from China and India include monitoring their exit compliance and requiring airlines to verify return tickets and hotel bookings. The Malaysian government also plans substantial investments to promote tourism, aiming for a significant increase in foreign tourist arrivals and domestic spending by 2026.
Tourist arrivals in Malaysia, which exceeded 25 million annually before the pandemic, saw a sharp decline during the Covid-19 years but are now on the path to recovery. The top contributors to tourist arrivals in 2019 were Singapore, Indonesia, China, and several others, with significant economic contributions from these tourists.
By introducing these visa and travel facilitation measures, Malaysia aims to revive its tourism sector, capitalizing on its appeal as a global destination.
