PUTRAJAYA: Home Ministry has given the green light to provide Visa Free facility to group tourists from China effective Oct 1.
Tourism Malaysia chairman Wee Choo Keong said it had been told by the Home ministry on Wednesday regarding the facility for tourists from China, which was subjected to several conditions.
Among the conditions are:
* Visa Free / Temporary Social Pass will only be granted to group tourists from China travelling with tour operators registered with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the group must consist of at least 20 people;
* The Temporary Social Pass will be limited to 15 days for each entry into Malaysia and no extension will be granted;
* The approved entry points are by air transport via KLIA and KLIA2 as well as via airports in Penang, Senai, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Langkawi;
* The said Temporary Social Pass holders will not be allowed to apply for other Permits or Passes; and,
* This Social Pass will only be granted for those traveling on a direct flight from PRC to Malaysia and they must have a return flight ticket.
In the event, Wee said, any tourist under this category failed to return or had violated any conditions or regulations set by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the tour operator would be fined in the sum of RM1,500 per tourist.
"In addition, any tour operator that violates the above conditions for three times or more, will be black-listed and not permitted to bring in any tourists from China," he said.