Five more years of visa-free travel to China
Malaysians travelling to China have it pretty easy, as we can reach plenty of destinations there on a direct flight. Not to mention, the visa exemptions that Malaysian passport holders can enjoy on trips to China.
While initially slated to conclude at the end of 2025, Malaysia and China have agreed to extend the mutual visa-free travel arrangement for an additional five years. This announcement was made by Malaysia’s Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, following a series of diplomatic engagements and the signing of key agreements between the two nations.
Visa-free travel arrangements started as a trial
The visa-free travel initiative between Malaysia and China was first introduced in 2023 as a trial period.
During this time, the visa-free stay for Chinese tourists in Malaysia was extended from 30 days to 90 days. However, China initially reciprocated with a visa-free stay of only 15 days for Malaysian travellers. This was later extended to 30 days, as announced by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in November 2024.
The agreement, which sees a mutual visa exemption for travellers between the two countries, was part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China.
Exemptions to continue for five more years
The visa exemptions for Malaysians and Chinese nationals will be extended through a new agreement between the two nations.
Saifuddin has been quoted in a report by Bernama dated 22nd April, saying, “We will continue this for five more years with the option to extend it for another five years after this period ends. This means that Chinese nationals entering the country as tourists can do so for 90 days (visa-free) with China also reciprocating”.
Chongqing in China has become a popular travel destination.
Image credit: 余先森Jackson via Xiaohongshu
The agreement was formalised during the recent visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia, where a collection of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed and witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and President Xi Jinping, and later signed by Saifuddin and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
What is the current visa-free period to China for Malaysians?
Currently, Malaysians can travel to China visa-free for 30 days until 31st December 2025, while Chinese nationals can enter Malaysia without a visa until 31st December 2026. Visa exemptions apply to travels for the purposes of doing business, sightseeing, seeing relatives or friends, making transits, attending exchange programmes, or making visits.
The new agreement ensures that these arrangements will continue beyond these dates for holders of public affairs and ordinary passports.
Five more years of visa exemptions for Malaysians to China
The extended visa-free travel arrangement between Malaysia and China means more travel in the future for both nationals. If you need travel recommendations for your upcoming trips, here are some unreal destinations in China to visit and other countries that Malaysians can visit without a visa.
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia, 余先森Jackson via Xiaohongshu