Malaysia has officially extended its visa-free travel arrangement for Chinese citizens for another five years, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing bilateral ties and stimulating economic growth through tourism.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced the extension, which was one of 32 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to Malaysia. In return, China will also continue offering visa-free entry for Malaysian citizens for the same duration, with both sides agreeing to a potential five-year renewal upon expiry.

The current visa exemption scheme, introduced in December 2023 as part of Malaysia’s visa liberalisation initiative for Chinese and Indian travellers, initially allowed up to 30-day stays. Under the new arrangement, Chinese tourists can now remain in Malaysia for up to 90 days, with Malaysians enjoying a similar privilege in China.

“The policy has proven effective in revitalising our tourism sector. We recorded nearly 900,000 Chinese tourist arrivals as of April this year alone,” Saifuddin said, adding that China continues to be Malaysia’s top international tourist source.

Last year, Malaysia welcomed over four million visitors from China, a figure the government hopes to surpass in 2025. Saifuddin noted that tourism offers a quicker economic return compared to many other sectors and remains a critical pillar in Malaysia’s growth strategy.

He further highlighted that within ASEAN, Singapore leads in tourist arrivals to Malaysia, followed by Thailand.

The visa-free initiative is expected to further strengthen people-to-people ties and encourage greater business, education, and cultural exchanges between the two nations.