India warns nationals against using Malaysia visa-free entry to seek jobs
New Delhi: The High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur has cautioned Indian nationals against using Malaysia’s 30-day visa-free entry facility to travel to the country in search of employment, warning that such attempts could result in overstaying, illegal immigration status, exploitation, detention and legal action.
In an advisory issued on Tuesday, the High Commission said there had been “a noticeable increase in Indian nationals arriving in Malaysia using the 30-day visa-free facility, to seek employment”.
It urged Indians travelling to Malaysia as tourists to strictly comply with the conditions of their stay and warned them against taking up employment while entering the country on a tourist visa.
The mission also cautioned travellers about unscrupulous agents offering fraudulent job opportunities. It said many Indian nationals are misled by agents with false promises of employment, subsequently leading to overstay, illegal immigration status, exploitation, detention and legal action.
The High Commission stressed that seeking employment through the visa-free facility is a violation of Malaysian immigration rules. It clarified that the facility, which allows Indian passport holders to stay in Malaysia for up to 30 days, is intended only “for tourism and social visits”.
Indian nationals travelling to Malaysia for tourism have also been advised to carry valid and verifiable travel documents to avoid immigration-related problems upon arrival. These include a confirmed return ticket, hotel booking and proof of online submission of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) three days before the date of arrival.
Travellers have also been advised to ensure that their passports have a minimum validity of six months.
Reiterating its warning, the High Commission said Indian nationals should “not travel to Malaysia for work / employment purpose without work permit or visa with reference (VDR)”.
The advisory comes amid concerns over Indian nationals being lured by false job offers and subsequently finding themselves in violation of Malaysian immigration regulations.
The mission urged prospective workers to obtain the appropriate authorisation before travelling to Malaysia for employment.
With IANS inputs