Key Takeaways
• Malaysia and China start visa-free travel on July 17, 2025, allowing stays up to 30 days per entry.
• Visitors can stay up to 90 days total within any 180-day period, for tourism, business, family, and culture.
• Overstaying may lead to fines, refusal of entry, or bans; work, study, or journalism still require visas.
Malaysia 🇲🇾 and China 🇨🇳 will launch a new mutual visa-free travel policy starting July 17, 2025, making it much easier for citizens of both countries to visit each other for tourism, family, business, and cultural exchange. The agreement, announced on July 11, 2025, by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allows stays of up to 30 days per entry and a total of 90 days within any 180-day period. This move is expected to boost travel, business, and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
What’s Changing and Why It Matters
This new visa-free travel policy means that citizens of Malaysia 🇲🇾 and China 🇨🇳 no longer need to apply for a visa for short visits. Instead, they can simply travel with their valid passports and stay for up to 30 days at a time, as long as their total time in the country does not go over 90 days in any 180-day period. The agreement is reciprocal, so both countries give the same rights to each other’s citizens.
The policy is designed to make travel easier, encourage more tourism, and help families, businesspeople, and cultural groups connect more often. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this agreement is a major step forward in regional mobility and shows the growing trust and cooperation between Malaysia 🇲🇾 and China 🇨🇳.
Key Details of the Visa-Free Policy
- Start Date: July 17, 2025
- Who Can Use It: Holders of valid Chinese official and ordinary passports and Malaysian ordinary passports
- Allowed Purposes: Tourism, visiting family or friends, business activities, and cultural exchanges
- Stay Limits: Up to 30 days per entry; maximum total stay of 90 days within any 180-day period
- Exclusions: Not for work, study, journalism, or stays longer than 30 days. For these, a visa is still required before travel.
How the 90-Day Rule Works
The 90-day rule is based on any rolling 180-day period. This means you can visit several times, but your total days in the country cannot be more than 90 days in the last 180 days. For example, if you visit for 30 days, leave, and come back two more times for 30 days each, you will reach the 90-day limit. After that, you must wait until enough days have passed for your total to drop below 90 before you can enter again visa-free.
If you have fewer than 30 days left before reaching the 90-day limit, your next entry will be limited to the number of days you have left. Immigration officers will check your travel history and may refuse entry if you go over the limit.
Step-by-Step Guide for Visa-Free Entry
- Check Your Passport: Make sure you have a valid ordinary (or official, for China) passport from Malaysia 🇲🇾 or China 🇨🇳.
- Confirm Your Purpose: Your trip must be for tourism, visiting family or friends, business, or cultural exchange. If you plan to work, study, or do journalism, you must apply for a visa before traveling.
- Travel to the Country: No need to apply for a visa. Just bring your passport and any supporting documents (like hotel bookings or invitation letters, if needed).
- At the Border: Tell the immigration officer your reason for visiting and how long you plan to stay. They will stamp your passport for up to 30 days.
- Track Your Days: Keep a record of how many days you have spent in the country over the last 180 days to avoid going over the 90-day limit.
- Need to Stay Longer or for Other Reasons?: Apply for the correct visa before you travel. For example, if you want to work or study, you must get the right visa in advance.
What Happens If You Overstay?
If you stay longer than allowed, you may face fines, be asked to leave, or even be banned from entering the country in the future. Both Malaysia 🇲🇾 and China 🇨🇳 take these rules seriously, and immigration officers will check your travel history each time you enter.
Who Benefits Most from This Policy?
- Tourists: No more paperwork or waiting for visa approvals. You can plan last-minute trips and enjoy more flexibility.
- Families: It’s easier to visit relatives and spend time together, especially for those with family members living in the other country.
- Business Travelers: Quick trips for meetings, trade shows, or negotiations are now much simpler, helping companies save time and money.
- Cultural Groups: Artists, performers, and students can join exchanges and events without worrying about visa delays.
Why Are Malaysia 🇲🇾 and China 🇨🇳 Doing This?
Both countries want to strengthen their friendship and make it easier for people to connect. Malaysia 🇲🇾 is already a top destination for Chinese tourists, and the number of visitors keeps growing. In 2024, Malaysia 🇲🇾 welcomed 3.29 million Chinese tourists, making China 🇨🇳 its third-largest source of visitors. In the first four months of 2025, arrivals from China 🇨🇳 went up by 37% compared to the same period last year.
China 🇨🇳 has also been opening its doors to more countries in recent years, making travel easier for people from many parts of the world. This policy is part of a bigger trend of countries working together to make travel smoother and boost their economies.
Official Statements and Reactions
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the new policy will “deepen bilateral ties and make it easier for people to visit each other.” The Embassy of China in Malaysia 🇲🇾 explained how the 90-day rule works and answered questions from travelers. The Malaysian government also welcomed the agreement, which was finalized during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia 🇲🇾 in 2025.
Tourism and business leaders in both countries are excited about the change. Many expect even more visitors, more business deals, and stronger cultural connections. Airlines, hotels, and travel companies are already preparing for a surge in demand.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
Before this new agreement, Malaysia 🇲🇾 had already allowed Chinese citizens to visit without a visa for up to 30 days from December 2023 through December 2024. China 🇨🇳 has also been expanding its visa-free policies for countries in the ASEAN region and beyond.
The new agreement builds on these earlier steps but adds a clear rule about the total number of days you can stay in a 180-day period. This helps both countries manage travel flows and make sure the system is fair and easy to understand.
How Will This Affect Tourism and Business?
Experts believe the visa-free travel policy will lead to:
- More Tourists: With no visa barriers, more people are likely to visit for holidays, shopping, and sightseeing.
- Stronger Business Ties: Companies can send staff for meetings or training without worrying about visa delays.
- Cultural Exchange: Schools, universities, and cultural groups can organize more exchanges, performances, and joint projects.
- Economic Growth: More visitors mean more spending on hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions, helping both countries’ economies.
According to VisaVerge.com, hotel bookings by Chinese tourists for summer 2025 in Malaysia 🇲🇾 have already jumped by 43% compared to last year. This shows how quickly people respond to easier travel rules.
What Should Travelers Watch Out For?
While the new policy makes travel easier, it’s important to follow the rules:
- Don’t Overstay: Keep track of your days and leave before your time is up.
- Have Proof of Purpose: Be ready to show hotel bookings, return tickets, or invitation letters if asked at the border.
- No Work or Study: If you want to work, study, or do journalism, you must get the right visa before you travel.
- Check for Updates: Policies can change, so always check official government websites before you travel. For the latest information, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
How Will Immigration Officers Check the 90-Day Rule?
Immigration officers in both countries will use passport stamps and travel records to count how many days you have spent in the country over the last 180 days. If you go over the limit, you may be refused entry or face penalties. It’s a good idea to keep your own record of travel dates to avoid mistakes.
What If You Need to Stay Longer or for a Different Reason?
If you want to stay more than 30 days at a time, or your total stay will be more than 90 days in 180 days, you must apply for a visa before you travel. The same is true if you plan to work, study, or do journalism. Each country has different types of visas for these purposes, and you can find the right forms and instructions on their official websites.
How Long Will This Policy Last?
The agreement is set for five years and will automatically renew for another five years unless either country decides to change it. This gives travelers and businesses confidence that the policy will stay in place for the long term.
Could the Policy Change in the Future?
Both governments may review the policy from time to time. If there are problems, security concerns, or big changes in travel trends, they could adjust the rules. For now, the agreement is designed to be stable and long-lasting.
What About Other Countries?
China 🇨🇳 is working on similar visa-free agreements with other countries, especially in the ASEAN region. This could mean even more travel options for people in the future. Malaysia 🇲🇾 and China 🇨🇳 are leading the way in making travel easier and building stronger ties.
Practical Tips for Travelers
- Plan Ahead: Even though you don’t need a visa, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and you have all the documents you need.
- Book Return Tickets: Immigration officers may ask to see proof that you plan to leave before your allowed stay is over.
- Keep Records: Write down your entry and exit dates to track your days in the country.
- Follow Local Laws: Respect the rules and customs of the country you are visiting.
Where to Get More Information
For official updates and answers to common questions, check these resources:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
- Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.kln.gov.my/
- Embassy of China in Malaysia 🇲🇾
- Consulate General of Malaysia 🇲🇾 in China 🇨🇳
In Summary
The new visa-free travel policy between Malaysia 🇲🇾 and China 🇨🇳, starting July 17, 2025, makes it much easier for citizens to visit each other for short stays. With clear rules on how long you can stay and what you can do, the agreement is expected to bring more tourists, stronger business ties, and deeper cultural connections. As long as travelers follow the rules and keep track of their days, they can enjoy the benefits of this historic agreement. This policy marks a new chapter in the friendship between Malaysia 🇲🇾 and China 🇨🇳 and sets an example for other countries looking to make travel easier and more open.
Learn Today
Visa-Free Travel → Permission to enter a country without applying for a visa for short-term visits.
90-Day Rule → Limits total stay to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period under visa-free travel.
Reciprocal Agreement → A mutual arrangement where two countries grant identical travel rights to each other’s citizens.
Ordinary Passport → A standard passport issued to general citizens for international travel purposes.
Immigration Officers → Officials who control entry and exit, checking documents and enforcing visa and stay regulations.
This Article in a Nutshell
Malaysia and China launch a reciprocal visa-free travel policy on July 17, 2025, enabling short stays for tourism, business, and family visits without visas. This policy strengthens bilateral ties, simplifies travel, and boosts tourism and cultural exchanges, while enforcing a 90-day total stay limit within 180 days for compliance.
— By VisaVerge.com
