In a bid to bolster tourism and economic growth, the Malaysian government has announced the extension of the 30-day visa exemption for Indian nationals until December 31, 2026. This move is part of Malaysia's broader visa liberalisation strategy and is expected to drive tourism in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.

Saravana Kumar Kumaravasagam, the Consul General of Malaysia in Chennai, highlighted the initiative as a “golden opportunity” for people from Tamil Nadu and across India to experience Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and bustling cities without the hassle of visa applications.

Data from the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) shows a remarkable surge in Indian visitors. From January to November 2024, Malaysia welcomed over 1 million Indian tourists, with a record-breaking 1,009,114 arrivals. This represents a 47% increase compared to the same period in 2019, prior to the pandemic, and a 71.7% jump from 2023. This surge is largely attributed to the country’s visa-free entry policy, which was first implemented in 2023.

Tourism Malaysia credited the policy for stimulating travel and said it had opened up new opportunities for growth. Additionally, new flight routes from India have further facilitated the influx of visitors. For example, IndiGo Airlines launched daily direct flights to Penang and Langkawi in December 2024, complementing its existing services to Kuala Lumpur.

Looking ahead, Visit Malaysia Year 2026 is set to play a key role in further increasing tourism revenue, enhancing Malaysia's global tourism appeal, and positioning the sector as a major contributor to the nation’s GDP. The Malaysian government aims to strengthen the country’s position as a preferred travel destination, continuing to capitalize on the growing number of Indian tourists.