Malaysia will now be introducing a new visa system which would facilitate the Indian and Chinese tourists visiting the country. The new move has been taken following a decision to withdraw the Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme for visitors to Malaysia from several countries. Travellers who wish to visit Malaysia could now go to locally appointed representatives to apply for their visas instead of the consulates.
The VFS (Visa Facilitation System) “pilot project,” to be implemented by commissioning travel agencies with branches in select countries, would be serving as an “alternative” to the VOA scheme, according to Malaysian Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen.
Intitally, the services of a Hong Kong-based travel agency would be utilized for the VFS pilot project in India. Though the details are not immediately available, the Malaysian tourism minister added that the project would be extended to China by the end of the month. The decision not to revive the issuance of visas on arrival was announced on August 6th by Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers and Illegal Immigrants.
