EVISA will increase Chinese tourist arrivals to Malaysia — Ambassador

PUTRAJAYA: The implementation of eVISA by the Malaysian government will see a significant increase in Chinese tourist arrivals to the country within the next five years, said Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian.

He said eVISA would enable international tourists, especially from China, to obtain the visa to Malaysia within 48 hours through online application without having to go to the Malaysian embassies or consulates as previously practiced.

“It puts Malaysia one step ahead compared to other countries in Asia and ASEAN,” he told reporters after visiting the eVISA Communications Centre (eVCOMM) facility and paying a courtesy call to Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali at the Immigration Department headquarters here yesterday.

According to Tian, 2.6 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia last year.

He said the eVISA programme would do a wonderful job in providing a maximum convenience to the Chinese tourists.

“So, we can say that the numbers will go up for years to come, especially with the modern technology and very efficient and professional performance by the Malaysian Immigration authority,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mustafar said the initiative to set up eVCOMM had brought about positive impact in facilitating eVISA applications while ensuring that tourist arrivals were well monitored.