India warns against using Malaysia's visa-free entry to seek jobs

India has advised its nationals in Malaysia not to use the country’s 30-day visa-free entry facility to look for jobs. In an advisory posted on X on Tuesday, the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur said it had seen a noticeable rise in Indian nationals arriving in Malaysia after being misled by agents offering false job promises.

The mission said the 30-day visa-free facility is meant only for tourism and social visits and does not allow employment. It warned that travelling to Malaysia on a tourist visa and then taking up work is a violation of immigration rules and can lead to serious consequences.

“There is a noticeable increase in Indian nationals arriving in Malaysia using the 30-day visa-free facility to seek employment. The High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur, alerts Indian nationals travelling to Malaysia on tourist visas against taking up employment,” the post said.

“Many Indian nationals are misled by unscrupulous agents with false job promises, leading to overstay, illegal status, exploitation, detention and legal action. This is a clear violation of immigration rules, as the visa-free entry facility which permits Indian passport holders to stay in Malaysia for up to 30 days is granted for tourism and social visits only,” it said.

The advisory said genuine tourists must carry valid and verifiable documents, including a confirmed return ticket, hotel booking, online submission of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card three days before arrival, and a passport with at least six months’ validity to avoid immigration-related issues on arrival in Malaysia.

The High Commission has strictly advised Indian nationals not to travel to Malaysia for work or employment without a work permit or a visa with reference, saying the visa-free entry route is only for short tourism and social visits.