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The Visa Liberalisation Plan lasts from 1 December 2023 until 31 December 2024 for visa exemptions for China and India travellers.
With Malaysia's Visa Liberalisation Plan now in effect, the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) has recently released a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to clarify key details on the plan.
According to JIM, the Plan will be in place from 1 December 2023 until 31 December 2024 for visa exemptions for China and India. Other initiatives under this plan start from 1 December 2023 and will be in place until 31 December 2026.
Visa exemption for Chinese and Indian citizens
Q What is meant by the visa exemption for Chinese and Indian citizens?
Foreign visitors who are Chinese and Indian citizens are allowed to enter Malaysia without a visa from 1 December 2023 until 31 December 2024.
Q Are Chinese national visitors departing from countries other than China eligible for this visa exemption?
Yes, the exemption is given to all Chinese citizens who want to enter Malaysia.
Q Are Indian national visitors departing from countries other than India eligible to apply for this visa exemption?
Yes, the exemption is given to Indian nationals who wish to enter Malaysia.
Q What is the length of stay for this facility?
30 days each time the individual enters Malaysia.
Q Can Chinese and Indian citizens extend their Social Visit Pass (PLS) after the 30 days are up?
No extension of the PLS will be granted after the 30 days end.
Q Does this visa exemption apply if visitors from China and India wish to enter Malaysia for the purpose of working or studying?
No, visitors from China and India who wish to work or study in Malaysia require a Visa With Reference (VDR) to enter Malaysia.
Q What about visitors who leave and enter Malaysia regularly?
Chinese and Indian visitors can travel out of and enter Malaysia without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days each time. However, entry into Malaysia is still subject to immigration inspection procedures at the country's entry gates.
Q Can Chinese and Indian visitors under this visa liberalisation programme change their 30-day social visit pass to another long-term visit pass?
Yes, subject to the current conditions and procedures for the long-term pass application.
Q Can visa fees paid before December 1 be refunded?
Visa fees paid before 1 December 2023 will not be refunded.
Improvement of visa validity period and pass eligibility period
Apart from the above, JIM also shared details relating to
Q What is meant by the extension of visa validity period?
The visa validity period is for six months from the date the visa is issued for all types of visas: namely Visa Without Reference (VTR) and Visa with Reference (VDR).
Q How can visitors check the visa validity period?
The validity period of the visa can be found in the 'issue date' and 'expiry date' columns of the eVISA note.
Q How many times is the visa allowed?
For visitors who are approved for a Single-Entry Visa, the use of the visa is only one time even though the validity period of the visa is up to six months. As for visitors who have been approved for a Multiple Entry Visa, the use of the visa is repeated within the six-month period.
[ALSO READ: Foreigners entering Malaysia required to submit Malaysia Digital Arrival Card from 1 Dec 2023]
Coordination of PLS eligibility period (PLS)
Q What is meant by the coordination of the Social Visit Pass (PLS) eligibility period?
The period of stay of foreign visitors in Malaysia has been adjusted from 14 days to 30 days for 22 countries/territories that require a visa to enter Malaysia for any purpose, as follows:
- Angola
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Congo Republic
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau
- Hong Kong
- Ivory Coast
- Liberia
- Mali
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Niger
- Rwanda
Q Are extensions allowed for the 22 countries?
No extension of PLS will be granted after the 30 days are up.
Multiple entry visa (MEV)
Q Is the extension of visa validity, from three months to six months, also applicable to the Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) facility?
Yes, the MEV visa is valid for six months from the date the visa is issued.
Q Who can apply for this facility?
All nationals who require an MEV to enter Malaysia are subject to the purposes and conditions currently in force.
Q Does this facility apply at all air, land, and sea ports of entry?
Yes, while still subject to immigration inspection procedures at the country's gates.
Q What is the period of stay allowed under this facility?
It is 30 days for each entry into Malaysia.
Umrah transit visa
Q Which countries can apply for an Umrah transit visa?
There are 32 countries that require a visa to enter Malaysia, WHO can apply for an Umrah Transit Visa with the facility of a Social Visit Pass for seven days. The list of countries can be found on JIM's website.
Q How to apply for this facility?
Through a travel agency that has been registered under Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Official Portal (MOTAC).
Q How much does this Umrah Transit Visa cost?
The visa fee rate is based on individual nationalities.
Q When is this Umrah Transit Visa facility available?
It will be until the official notification from the Malaysian Immigration Department is issued.
Q Where can the Umrah Transit Visa application be made?
Umrah transit visa applications can be made on arrival at any Malaysian international airport gazetted as a gateway.
Graduate Visit (Social) Pass
Q What is a Graduate Visit (Social) Pass?
The Graduate Visit (Social) Pass is a long-term visit pass that allows the pass holder to be in Malaysia for the purpose of traveling within the state, finding or getting to know a program at a local educational institution to continue studying and work part-time in the employment sector permitted by law.
Q Who is eligible to apply for this pass?
International students who have completed their studies at the Bachelor's Degree level and above at any institute of higher education in Malaysia.
Q What is the eligible age limit to apply for this pass?
There is no set age limit.
Q Who are the citizens who are offered this facility?
This facility will be offered to 23 nationals namely those from Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Switzerland, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, the US, Bahrain, and Oman.
Q What are the conditions to apply for a Graduate Visit (Social) Pass?
- Has completed or will complete education with proof through a confirmation letter of completion of studies issued by the institute of higher education.
- The applicant's Student Pass is still valid when the application is made.
- Have a passport with a validity period of at least 18 months.
- Have a health insurance policy that is still active for a period of 12 months.
- Presenting a Personal Bond with a Malaysian sponsor who has an income of not less than RM1,500 a month.
Q How can one apply for this pass?
- Applications can be made through the Pelahar Passport Unit, Putrajaya Immigration Headquarters.
- Applicants need to complete the IMM.5 form and a checklist of documents that can be downloaded through the JIM Portal.
- Applicants send a complete application at the Pre-Student Unit, Immigration Headquarters Putrajaya.
Q How much is the fee for this pass?
- RM450 for Graduate Visit (Social) Pass.
- RM450 for the Visit Pass (Social) for dependents.
- The MEV payment rate is subject to the national eligibility rate.
Q What facilities are obtained through this pass?
- MEV that provides ease of entry and exit into the country.
- Can bring existing dependents in Malaysia.
- Can travel anywhere within the state.
- Can undergo programs at local educational institutions in Malaysia.
- Can work part-time according to the law.
Q How long is the Pass valid?
12 months.
Q Is the pass holder eligible to apply for a resident pass and entry permit?
No.
Q Can the pass holder change to another long-term pass?
Yes, but subject to the conditions of a valid pass.
Q Does this pass require a check-out memo after the expiration date?
No.
Q Can the validity period of this Pass be extended?
No.
Q How long does the pass approval process take?
14 working days after the complete application is received by JIM.
Lead image / Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia
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