PUTRAJAYA — The Visa Liberalisation Plan (PLV) for Chinese visitors has been extended for another five years, as the initiative has shown immediate positive impact on the country’s economy, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the decision to extend the PLV was part of a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and documents signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to Malaysia, covering various sectors of cooperation.
“We will extend it for the next five years, and after that, there will be an option to renew it for another five years – allowing Chinese nationals to stay in our country for up to 90 days as tourists.
“And China will reciprocate with the same arrangement for us,” he told reporters after the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly here today, according to Bernama.
The visa exemption programme for Chinese visitors had shown positive results, with higher tourist arrivals from China who spend an average of RM7,000 during their stay in Malaysia, according to Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
“So when we look at the arrival numbers, it’s clear that this is a formula with immediate economic benefits and a significant impact,” he added.
As of April this year, Malaysia has recorded close to 900,000 tourist arrivals from China, while more than four million Chinese tourists visited the country last year, the home minister added.
He stressed that the tourism aspect is an important component of the country’s economic contributors because it has an immediate impact compared to investments.
The visa-free travel agreement between China and Malaysia for Chinese citizens began in December 2023 for 30 days, initially.
Saifuddin Nasution and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi had signed the extended joint visa exemption agreement for holders of public affairs and ordinary passports during Xi’s recent visit.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the joint visa exemption agreement will deepen exchanges and cooperation, further advancing the China-Malaysia community with a shared future.
Malaysia’s Visa Liberalisation Plan is designed to boost national income and will be implemented by enhancing existing immigration facilities available to travellers from various regions, including Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and West Asia. – April 22, 2025