The High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has issued a new advisory, clarifying the 30-day visa-free entry scheme that has been at the center of the controversial debate of Indian passport holders being refused entry into the country.

Ever since Malaysia introduced the scheme this year, several cases have been reported of Indian nationals receiving ‘Not to Land’ (NTL) notices, and sent back to India from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

In response to that, the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur has said that Indians are under the misconception that the move applied to employment in Malaysia. NTL was only issued if the traveller was found to have insufficient funds for the trip and did not possess a genuine return ticket. In cases where a proper verifiable proof of accommodation was lacking, and when immigration regulations are suspected to be violated, the passenger is refused entry into Malaysia.

The High Commission clarified: “In such NTL cases, the Indian nationals have to remain inside the airport of their arrival in Malaysia till the airlines which brought them repatriate them back to the airport of exit from India. Occasionally, this takes time, leading to passengers remaining stranded at Malaysian airports, causing avoidable hardships.”

The High Commission warned that many unscrupulous visa/ employment agents were misleading Indian citizens, promising employment in Malaysia under the 30-day visa-free entry scheme. “Please note that the 30-day visa-free entry scheme is not for employment in Malaysia,” it said, advising Indian tourists to Malaysia to strictly comply with the Government of Malaysia’s immigration regulations with regard to the 30-day visa-free entry scheme that required proof of sufficient funds for the visit, verifiable evidence of accommodation, and valid return air tickets. – editor@nrifocus.com