The Malaysian government has extended its 30-day visa-free entry for Indian travellers until December 31, 2026. This decision is part of Malaysia’s broader visa liberalisation efforts to boost tourism and economic growth, particularly in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and the country’s role as ASEAN chair in 2025.
According to data from Tourism Malaysia, the country saw a significant rise in Indian visitors, welcoming over one million tourists from India between January and November 2024. This marks a 47 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019 and a 71.7 percent jump from 2023, reinforcing Malaysia’s growing popularity among Indian travellers.
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The surge in Indian tourists is largely attributed to the visa-free policy first introduced in 2023. Tourism Malaysia highlighted how this initiative has encouraged travel and led to increased connectivity, with airlines like IndiGo launching new direct flights to Penang and Langkawi from December 2024, in addition to their existing routes to Kuala Lumpur.
With Visit Malaysia Year 2026, the country aims to enhance its global tourism appeal, increase revenue, and further establish tourism as a key driver of its economy.