Indians get visa-free entry to Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka

Malaysia is actively aiming to attract 16.1 million international tourists with an expected tourism receipt of RM 49.3 billion. India continues to be a significant contributor to Malaysia’s tourism sector, with 3,24,548 Indian tourists visiting in 2022

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka have recently extended a warm welcome to Indian passport holders by offering visa-free entry, fostering tourism and business ties.

In a significant move, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a 30-day visa-free entry for Indian and Chinese citizens starting December 1. This initiative complements existing visa exemptions for Gulf nations and other West Asian countries, including Turkiye and Jordan.

The Prime Minister, who also serves as the Finance Minister, emphasized that while the waiver enhances travel ease, it is subject to rigorous security screenings. This visa-free access for Indian passport holders is applicable from November 10, 2023, to May 10, 2024.

Malaysian Prime Minister, who also serves as the Finance Minister, emphasized that while the waiver enhances travel ease, it is subject to rigorous security screenings. This visa-free access for Indian passport holders is applicable from November 10, 2023, to May 10, 2024.

The Prime Minister clarified that initial screenings will be conducted for all tourists and visitors, with security concerns, including criminal records or terrorism risks, being pivotal factors in the decision-making process. The 30-day visa-free entry is a practice already in place for eight ASEAN countries, facilitating social visits, tourism, and business.

Malaysia is actively aiming to attract 16.1 million international tourists with an expected tourism receipt of RM 49.3 billion. India continues to be a significant contributor to Malaysia’s tourism sector, with 3,24,548 Indian tourists visiting in 2022. The first quarter of 2023 saw a substantial increase, with 1,64,566 Indian tourists compared to 13,370 in the same period last year. The flourishing tourism industry is supported by 158 weekly flights, offering 30,032 seats between India and Malaysia through various airlines like Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, AirAsia, and IndiGo.

Sri Lanka has also embraced a visa-free entry initiative for Indian visitors, along with citizens from six other countries, namely China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand. This initiative, effective until March 31, 2024, aims to boost tourist arrivals, with the Tourism Ministry setting an ambitious target of attracting five million tourists in the coming years. Sri Lanka’s open-door policy seeks to strengthen ties and enhance cultural exchanges between the participating nations.

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