KUALA LUMPUR, 31 April 2025 — In a move set to bolster tourism and bilateral ties, Malaysia and China have officially extended their mutual visa-free travel agreement for another five years. The announcement was made by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to Malaysia.
Malaysia and China extend their mutual visa-free travel policy for another five years, allowing Malaysians to enter China visa-free for up to 90 days and boosting tourism and bilateral ties.
According to The Star, Saifuddin confirmed that the initiative—which currently allows Chinese tourists to stay in Malaysia for up to 90 days without a visa—will continue with China offering a reciprocal visa exemption for Malaysians.
“We will continue this for five more years with the option to extend it for another five years after this period ends,” Saifuddin stated.
This decision is among the 31 bilateral agreements signed during President Xi’s visit, underscoring the strong diplomatic and economic relationship between the two nations.
The visa-free arrangement has proven successful since its inception as a trial in 2023. Under the initial scheme, Malaysia extended the permitted stay for Chinese tourists from 30 to 90 days, while China increased the duration of stay for Malaysian visitors from 15 to 30 days.
Saifuddin also revealed that nearly one million Chinese tourists have visited Malaysia so far in 2025, reflecting the policy’s positive impact on the tourism industry.
Prior to this latest extension, Malaysians were only permitted to travel to China visa-free until 31 December 2024, while Chinese nationals could visit Malaysia without a visa until 31 December 2025. The new five-year extension offers long-term stability and encourages greater movement between the two countries.
The renewed agreement is expected to significantly enhance cultural exchange, economic cooperation, and people-to-people connectivity between Malaysia and China. – Source: Says.com
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