SHANGHAI:  Malaysia will continue its discussions with China on extending the current 15-day visa exemption for Malaysians travelling to China to 30 days.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said discussions are also focused on extending the visa exemption period for Malaysians, which is set to end in late 2025, to a longer duration or until the end of 2026.

"The issue of extending the visa exemption from 15 days to 30 days is still pending. During my recent visit, I met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other ministers. Our government's current stance is to provide a 30-day visa exemption for Chinese nationals to boost the tourism sector.

 "China currently grants us a 15-day exemption, and that's the only part still pending. In tomorrow's closed-door discussions, we will raise this issue.

"However, at the official level, China has shown a positive reaction. While there is no decision yet, the positive aspect is that they are open to discussing and considering it in this diplomatic dialogue," he told Malaysian media here today.

Saifuddin said he and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi are scheduled to hold a closed-door meeting with Chinese State Counselor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, tomorrow in Lianyungang.

This closed-door meeting is part of their visit to attend the 2024 Conference of the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum Lianyungang (GPSCFL).

China extended its visa-free policy for short visits to Malaysia and 11 other countries until the end of 2025.

In May, Zahid said China had agreed to extend visa exemption for Malaysian tourists from 15 to 30 days, but its implementation had yet to be realised.

In November last year, the government announced a 30-day visa exemption for Chinese and Indian nationals travelling to Malaysia starting Dec 1, 2023, as part of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China bilateral relations this year.

Currently, Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Iran, as well as all Western Asian countries including Turkey and Jordan, enjoy visa exemptions 

Additionally, eight other Asean countries also benefit from visa-free entry to Malaysia for social, tourism, and business visits of up to 30 days.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/1102890/malaysia-china-continue-discussions-extending-visa-exemption