What the 5-Year Malaysia–China Visa-Free Extension Means

By Yan Zixuan

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia and China announced a five-year extension of their mutual visa-free travel agreement. Malaysians can now visit China without a visa until 2030, and Chinese citizens can visit Malaysia visa-free until 2031. 

In addition to that, Malaysia has extended the stay for Chinese tourists from 30 to 90 days, while China has increased the stay for Malaysian visitors from 15 to 30 days.

Malaysia and China officially announced a five-year extension of their mutual visa-free travel agreement. Image Source: CNA.

The announcement was a culmination of China President Xi Jinping's three-day visit to Malaysia. The visa-free policy has brought increased cultural exchange and economic benefits. In the first three months following the implementation of the policy in December 2023, approximately 2 million Malaysians visited China. Malaysia welcomed about 3.73 million Chinese tourists in 2024, marking a 130.9% year-on-year increase. The tourism, hospitality, retail, and food service industries have particularly benefited from this growth.

Public Reactions in China and Malaysia to the Visa-Free Policy Extension

“I'm glad the visa-free policy was extended,” said Ma Lin, a Chinese student studying in Malaysia’s private university. “My family visited Malaysia last year. It was very convenient. They enjoyed Penang’s blue sea and the food.”

A KL-based vendor, who does not want to be named, noted a rise in Chinese customers. “Our teppanyaki stall has never been so busy. The feedback on both teppanyaki and cendol has been great.”

Cooks were making teppanyaki. Image source: Offered by a customer.

Hashtags like #ExploreChina trended across both countries. Jessica Peng, a university student from East Malaysia, was inspired by influencer vlogs: “We planned our Zhangjiajie trip from a video. The mountains were just as stunning in person though we often had to queue for entering. The guest house was quiet and elegant.” With the visa-free extension policy, she hopes to be able to revisit China shortly.

Challenges Brought by the Extension for China and Malaysia 

Major tourist cities like Shanghai, Chongqing, Semporna, and Penang already have serious traffic congestion. A surge in visitors could further strain transportation, accommodation, and public services.

Traffic jam. Image Source: NorthwestWinterfest.

Immigration control may also be challenged. Both governments will need to strengthen oversight to prevent illegal overstays and unauthorized employment.

Without sufficient understanding of each other’s cultural customs, laws, and regulations, tourists may unintentionally cause conflicts or misunderstandings with locals. The natural environment in scenic areas could also suffer from overuse and neglect.

Despite these challenges, with stronger cultural awareness, regulation, and bilateral cooperation, the visa-free extension can still serve as a powerful driver for deepening China-Malaysia relations.