The implementation of the visa liberalisation plan from Dec 1 will be strengthened with integrated control and enforcement measures by enforcement agencies, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
He added that the setting up of a special team by the Immigration Department to monitor the entry and exit of Chinese and Indian tourists was part of the measures.
“Monitoring will be done from the final date, the 30th day, according to the duration of their stay in the country. From then, monitoring will be reported periodically as a control and enforcement mechanism,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced an incentive under the visa liberalisation plan on Sunday, namely the 30-day visa exemption for China and Indian nationals to Malaysia from Dec 1, 2023.
Saifuddin added that checks would be intensified in areas frequented by foreign nationals such as Masjid India, Lowyat Plaza and Bukit Bintang to tackle illegal immigrants, and to conduct intelligence gathering and enforcement actions on employers hiring or protecting them.
He also informed that the strict procedure regarding the Not-to-Land (NTL) Notice will be retained, and airlines are responsible for checking and ensuring tourists entering Malaysia have confirmed return tickets and hotel booking throughout their stay in Malaysia.
At the same time, suggestions to make filling in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) mandatory are being explored to ensure that tourists’ entry data is recorded.
Improved benefits
Saifuddin also shared that the visa liberalisation plan, introduced with improvements to existing immigration facilities, has already been enjoyed by inbound travellers from Europe, South East Asia, the Middle East and West Asia.
He also pointed out that these benefits include a 30-day Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) for all tourists wanting to come to Malaysia. Meanwhile, international students who completed their studies in Malaysia will be given a social visit pass (long term) for periods of up to 12 months for the purpose of furthering their studies, touring and working part-time in sectors allowed under Malaysian law.
The social visit pass is opened to nationals from 23 high-income, low-risk countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Switzerland, Holland, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and the US.
According to the Home Minister, the validity of the visa can be extended from three to six months and the qualification period will be standardised to 30 days for all countries requiring an entry visa.
Saifuddin said that the liberalisation plan would be reviewed after a year to assess the return on investment to the country, its effectiveness and the safety risk assessment of the immigration facilities provided.
“If an unexpected incident occurs, then the plan will be reviewed for improvements in preparation for 2025 and 2026.
“This will help the government to tidy up immigration-related policies and procedures while ensuring the readiness of immigration teams at the country’s entry points to receive foreign tourists in the next two years,” he added.
- Bernama
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