Malaysia extends visa exemption for Indian nationals

Malaysia has announced an extension of the visa exemption for Indian nationals until December 31, 2026. A similar exemption has been granted to Chinese nationals.

The exemption allows Indian nationals to visit Malaysia without a visa for up to 30 days.

In a statement, Malaysia Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman said the move was in line with Malaysia's 2025 Asean chairmanship and preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. The visa liberalisation plan has been in place since 2023. The travel trade industry said it would boost travel to Malaysia. At present, two airlines operate flights between Kolkata and Kuala Lumpur.


Malaysia is counting on extra tourist arrivals — and their spending — to support economic growth.

Meanwhile, Indian travellers are hitting the road in style, spending 10-15% more than last year and opting for longer stays of 6 to 15 days.

Flight bookings to popular domestic destinations have increased by 60%, leading to fully booked hotels across many regions. Bookings to popular international destinations including Thailand are also up by 70-80%, industry data shows.

“Travel has become a necessity. The upcoming festival season is witnessing strong demand for both domestic and international trips,” said Rajeev Kale, country head for leisure travel and MICE at Thomas Cook (India). “Noteworthy trends reflected in our booking data indicate that customers are willing to increase their travel spends by 10-15% YoY” along with a growing preference for longer stays, shifting from typical 3-day trips to 6-15 days, he said.