PUTRAJAYA, Nov 27 — The implementation of the visa liberalisation plan from Dec 1 will be strengthened with integrated control and enforcement measures by enforcement agencies, Home Minister Datuk Seri 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 China 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 today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an incentive under the visa liberalisation plan yesterday, namely the 30-day visa exemption for China and Indian nationals to Malaysia from Dec 1, 2023.
Saifuddin Nasution 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 had confirmed return tickets and hotel booking throughout their stay in Malaysia, while suggestions to make filling in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), which is integrated with the Immigration Department’s MyIMMs, mandatory are being explored to ensure that tourists’ entry data is recorded.
Saifuddin Nasution also shared that the visa liberalisation plan, introduced with improvements to existing immigration facilities, have already been enjoyed by inbound travellers from Europe, South East Asia, the Middle East and West Asia.
These benefits include the a 30-day Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) to all tourists wanting to come to Malaysia, Social Visit Pass (Long Term) for periods of up to 12 months for international students who completed their studies in Malaysia for the purpose of furthering their studies, touring and working part time in sectors allowed under Malaysian law, he said.
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 United States, he said, adding that the validity of the visa was extended from three to six months and the qualification period was standardised to 30 days for all countries requiring an entry visa.
Saifuddin Nasution said the liberalisation plan would be reviewed after a year to assess the return-on-investment to the country, its effectiveness and safety risk assessment on the immigration facilities provided.
“If an unexpected incident occurs, then the plan will be reviewed for improvements as preparation for 2025 and 2026.
“This will help the government to tidy up Immigration-related policies and procedures and ensure the readiness of immigration teams at the country’s entry points to receive foreign tourists in the coming two years,” he added.
