The new procedure for tourists of Indian nationality will be in effect from January 2020. — AFP pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 — Starting January 2020, tourists from China and India will be able to visit Malaysia without needing to apply for a tourist visa beforehand.

The exemption is valid for the entire year until December 2020.

This is after the government gazetted two orders granting a 15-day visa exemption for tourists from China and India for Jan 1 to Dec 31 next year in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2020.

The gazettes signed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, dated Dec 26, state that the tourists must be registered through an “electronic travel registration and information system”.

Once registered, the tourists must travel to Malaysia within three months.

“The online travel document must be used within three months of application registration done.

“The traveler is only limited to a 15-day travel period and is not allowed to extend his stay.

“Entry into Malaysia must be done via designated airports or immigration control posts,” both the gazette stated.

Immigration control posts include Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (Johor), Johor Bahru Train Station (Johor), Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar (Tanjung Kupang, Johor) immigration control post, Padang Besar (Perlis), Bukit Kayu Hitam (Changloon, Kedah), Sungai Tujoh (Sarawak) or Tedungan immigration control post (Batu Danau Limbang district, Fifth Division, Sarawak).

“Tourists are prohibited from entering the country with any other types of passes.

“A tourist must also possess a return ticket or a travel air ticket to any country if he travels by air,” the gazette said.

Upon arrival in Malaysia, tourists have to present evidence that they have sufficient cash, a credit card or bank card as well as produce their itinerary in Malaysia.

They will then be allowed to re-register to enter Malaysia after 45 days from the date they leave Malaysia.