- India advises against using Malaysia's visa-free entry for employment.
- Unscrupulous agents mislead Indians with false job promises in Malaysia.
- Visa-free facility is for tourism, not work; risks legal action.
India on Tuesday advised its nationals in Malaysia not to use the country's 30-day visa-free entry facility to seek employment. In an advisory posted on X, the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur said it has noticed a "noticeable increase" in Indian nationals arriving in Malaysia who are "misled by unscrupulous agents with false job promises."
The High Commission said the 30-day visa-free facility is meant for tourism and social visits and does not permit employment. "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.
Fake job promises
"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 mentions that "genuine tourists must carry valid and verifiable documentation such as a confirmed return ticket, hotel booking, online submission of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) three days before the arrival date, and a passport with minimum a 6-month validity, to avoid any immigration-related issues on arrival in Malaysia."
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The high commission has "strictly advised" not to travel to Malaysia for work/employment purposes without a work permit or visa with reference (VDR).
300 Indians brought back last year
Earlier last year, India brought home nearly 300 of its nationals who were lured to various southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, with fake job offers and made to engage in cybercrime and other fraudulent activities in scam compounds. Thousands of people have been freed from cyber scam centres along the Thailand-Myanmar border this year as countries work together to crack down on the criminal networks.
Criminal gangs have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people to the centres, which generate billions of dollars a year from illegal online schemes, according to the United Nations.
(With inputs from agencies)