'Golden' era ahead with Malaysia-China Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement, says embassy
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia-China Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement inked last month to enable hassle-free travel of citizens from both nations will usher ties of both countries into another 'Golden 50 Years', says the Embassy of the People's Republic of China here on Tuesday (May 6).
The embassy said that it was confident that the agreement would further promote people-to-people exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and deepen multi-sector cooperation between both countries and its citizens on coming into force.
"It will mark a new step forward in advancing the high-level strategic effort of the China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future. The embassy in Malaysia will continue to dedicate its support to promote friendly exchanges between the people of both countries," it said.
The embassy said the agreement would be in force for five years, after which it would automatically be extended for another five years.
Under the agreement, citizens of both countries may stay visa-free up to 30 days consecutively for each visit to either country.
The agreement also allows both nationals stay up to 90 days cumulatively in either country over a period of ix months.
The embassy said the 90-day period does not include the days spent in China under a visa, residence permit and other visa documents or Apec Business Travel Card.
"Visa-free entry will not be granted to any foreigner whose cumulative duration of visa-free stay has exceeded 90 days within a 180-day period. In the case where the cumulative duration of stay of either national has not reached 90 days while the remaining period is less than 30 days, the visa-free stay period for the foreigner concerned for this entry shall not exceed the remaining visa-free stay period. Chinese citizens going to Malaysia would follow the same practice," the embassy said.
It said the agreement will take effect soon after domestic procedures are completed by both countries.
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