Seamless Travel Ahead: Explore 3 Asian Gems with Visa Exemptions & Fee Waivers

Are you planning to make a trip to Malaysia? Still, worry about the country visa?

No worries. Malaysia will soon allow Indian tourists to travel in the country visa-free. It is not the only country to do to make tourists happy journey but it is a good time to be travelling from India if you are craving pristine beaches, beautiful islands and delicious food, both on the streets as well as in award-winning fine dining restaurants. Here are three countries in Asia that have offered Indians visa exemptions and releases this year.

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Malaysia: visa-free

The Malaysian government officially bid adieu to visa requirements for Indian and Chinese nationals. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced this decision. He stated that visa-free entry would be starting from 1 December 2023. No visa will be needed for a trip to Malaysia lasting up to 30 days.

Thailand: visa-free

Since 10 November, Thailand has also done away with the requirement of a visa for Indian and Taiwanese travellers, providing a generous 30-day visa-free stay. This policy is slated to last until 10 May 2024, with

the option of an extension depending on demand, as indicated by the Thai government.

Sri Lanka: free visas

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Shri Lanka's cabinet adopted the issuance of a free visa initiative in October for visitors of seven countries–India, Russia, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan. Commencing as a part of a pilot program, this initiative took immediate effect and will extend till 31 March 2024. Previously, Indian tourists were levied a $20 (about Rs1,663) visa application fee. The new program eliminates this fee, although you would still have to apply for a visa before travelling.

Coming soon: visa-free entry to Vietnam

Vietnam is also contemplating the possibility of allowing visa-free entry for individuals from India and China. Nguyen Van Jung, Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has advocated for short-term visa exemptions for the two countries to boost Vietnam’s recovery of tourism. Currently, Indians travelling to Vietnam require e-visas that have a validity of 90 days and allow multiple entries.