China and Malaysia Launch Visa-Free Travel Program

In a significant development for international relations and travel policy, China and Malaysia have officially launched a mutual visa exemption agreement, allowing ordinary passport holders from both nations to travel visa-free for a duration of 30 days.

This agreement took effect on July 17, 2025, after more than a year of trial implementation which began on December 1, 2023.

Under the new policy, citizens can enjoy a stay of up to 30 days per visit, with the flexibility of maintaining a maximum total stay of 90 days within a 180-day period.

During the trial phase, the impact of this arrangement was evident, as statistics revealed that approximately 3.8 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia in 2024, positioning China as the largest source of tourists to Malaysia outside of the ASEAN member countries.

This visa exemption is part of China's broader effort to enhance diplomatic ties, as the nation has now established mutual visa agreements with a total of 158 countries.

Additionally, China experienced a notable increase in entries without visas, with 13.64 million foreign nationals visiting in the first half of 2025, constituting 71.2 percent of all foreign arrivals and marking a 53.9 percent year-on-year growth according to the National Immigration Administration.

The successful implementation of this visa-free travel program is expected to bolster tourism and business exchanges between China and Malaysia, further strengthening their bilateral relations.

This collaboration not only facilitates easier travel for citizens of both countries but also promotes cultural exchange and economic opportunities.

As travel policies continue to evolve in response to global trends, this agreement serves as a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity between China and Malaysia.