PUTRAJAYA: The visa-free programme for Chinese nationals entering the country will be extended for another five years, with the option for a further five-year extension later.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic) said the agreement is part of the 31 memoranda of understanding (MoU) signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia last week.
“In 2023, the Prime Minister announced a liberalisation of visas, and we took that as a trial period of a year.
“From 30 days, we extended the visa-free period in Malaysia to 90 days. We also asked for China to reciprocate but at that time, we were given only 15 days.
“Following that, the ministry was tasked to continue negotiations with China and during the visit of President Xi Jinping, one of the MoUs signed was on visas.
“What is new is that we will continue this for five more years with the option to extend it for another five years after that.
“This means that Chinese nationals entering the country as tourists get 90 days, with China also reciprocating,” he told reporters after a monthly meeting at the ministerial level at the Home Ministry headquarters here yesterday.
He added that China made up a huge portion of foreign tourists entering the country, with almost a million coming to Malaysia so far this year.
Around four million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia last year.
“During the trial period, we saw the impact of tourism increase. It stimulated our economy at an immediate pace.
“The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry also had its calculations on how much each tourist would spend here and based on its formula, the amount was estimated to be around RM7,000,” he said.
Currently, Malaysians can travel to China visa-free until Dec 31 this year, while Chinese nationals get visa-free travel to Malaysia until Dec 31 next year.
The visa exemption was in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China.
