Malaysia Visa-Free Rules 2026: 30-Day Stay Update

Malaysia updates visa-free stay rules for Chinese travellers: 30 days per visit with a 90-day cap within 180 days. Indian nationals continue 30-day visa-free entry until Dec 2026. Essential compliance guide for B2B travel agents.

Malaysia has officially clarified its visa-free entry framework, introducing structured stay limits for Chinese passport holders while continuing visa-free access for Indian nationals.

For B2B travel agents, consolidators, and corporate planners, understanding these updates is critical to avoiding overstays, penalties, and client dissatisfaction.

Let’s break down what has changed and what it means for your bookings in 2026.

Updated Visa-Free Rules for Chinese Nationals

Chinese passport holders can continue entering Malaysia without applying for a visa prior to travel. Upon arrival, immigration issues a Social Visit Pass.

Key Changes:

• Maximum 30 days per visit

• Total stay capped at 90 days within any 180-day period

• Applies across multiple entries

Earlier, many travellers interpreted the rule as 90 days per entry. The clarification now confirms it is 90 cumulative days within six months, not per visit.

What This Means for Travel Agents

If your client plans multiple short business or leisure trips within six months, you must:

• Track cumulative stay days

• Structure travel schedules carefully

• Avoid unintentional overstays

Malaysia has extended this visa exemption for Chinese nationals for five more years, reinforcing long-term bilateral tourism growth.

Visa-Free Entry for Indian Nationals (Valid Until 31 December 2026)

Indian passport holders also benefit from Malaysia’s visa waiver program, introduced in December 2023.

Current Framework:

• 30 days per entry

• Valid until 31 December 2026

• Social Visit Pass issued on arrival

Unlike Chinese nationals, there is currently no formally declared 90-day-in-180-day cumulative cap for Indian travellers. However, each entry strictly allows 30 days.

Overstaying can result in:

• Fines

• Immigration blacklisting

• Future entry complications

For high-frequency business travellers, this requires disciplined exit planning.

What Is the Malaysia Social Visit Pass?

Under the visa-free scheme, travellers do not apply for a traditional tourist visa. Instead, immigration issues a Social Visit Pass upon arrival.

Permitted Activities:

• Tourism and leisure travel

• Business meetings and conferences

• Contract signings

• Sports participation

• Visiting friends and relatives

Not Permitted:

• Employment

• Long-term study

• Permanent relocation

If clients intend to work or study, the appropriate visa category must be arranged in advance.

Critical Compliance Rule: No Extension of 30-Day Stay

This is where many travellers face issues.

The 30-day Social Visit Pass cannot be extended inside Malaysia.

If travellers wish to stay longer, they must exit and re-enter. However:

• Re-entry approval is at the discretion of immigration officers.

• For Chinese nationals, the 180-day cumulative clock continues running.

For agents managing repeat corporate travel, internal tracking systems are strongly recommended.

Why Malaysia Is Maintaining Visa-Free Access

Malaysia’s move reflects a balanced approach:

• Boost inbound tourism and business travel

• Strengthen ties with China and India

• Encourage short-term travel and repeat visits

• Reduce long-term overstays

China and India remain two of Malaysia’s strongest inbound markets, particularly for leisure groups, MICE, corporate delegations, and retail tourism.

For airline partners and consolidators, this supports sustained seat demand on regional routes.

Pre-Departure Checklist for Agents

Before issuing tickets, ensure your clients:

• Have passports valid for at least 6 months

• Do not exceed the 30-day stay limit

• Chinese travellers track cumulative 90 days within 180 days

• Carry confirmed onward or return tickets

• Have hotel confirmations or local contact details

Failure to comply can disrupt future travel privileges.

Operational Impact for B2B Travel Professionals

For travel agencies and consolidators:

• Integrate stay tracking alerts in CRM systems

• Educate repeat corporate clients on cumulative limits

• Monitor group series bookings involving multi-entry travel

• Align airline ticketing with compliance timelines

These rule clarifications reduce ambiguity but increase responsibility on booking professionals.

Final Takeaway for Travel Agents

Malaysia remains one of Southeast Asia’s most accessible and high-demand destinations for short-haul business and leisure travel.

However, the structured 30-day per visit rule — especially the 90-day-in-180-day cap for Chinese nationals — requires careful itinerary planning.

For B2B agents, compliance awareness is now part of client service excellence.

Proactive tracking today prevents operational headaches tomorrow.

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