JOHOR BARU: On Arrival Visa facility has been made handy for Indian and Chinese tourists at the Sultan Abu Bakar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at the second link in Tuas.
State Domestic Trade, Tourism and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, who made the announcement, said the VOA approval was implemented on Nov 1.
“This is the first land entry point in the country that allows tourists from India and China to enter with a VOA. Prior to this, the VOA facility was available at only five entry points in the Penang, Senai, Sabah and Sarawak airports, as well as KLIA and KLIA2,” he said after visiting the CIQ building in Tuas yesterday.
Tee said the facility did not only offer convenience to tourists but also potential investors who wanted to cross the border via the Second Link.
“It is a fast and easy way, as the processing time for each VOA is estimated at 10 minutes and tourists need only pay US$100 (S$130) to receive a seven-day visa, which cannot be extended,” he added.
Industry players were buoyed by the news, saying the national tourism sector would benefit greatly.
National Tourism Council of Malaysia vice-president Jimmy Leong Wie Kong said the VOA service should be monitored to ensure that tourists were able to enjoy it without any inconvenience.
Malaysian Association of Hotels Johor Chapter honorary chairman Shyam Nath Nair said hotels would surely stand to benefit.
“We can even attract Indian expatriates in Singapore to visit the state, as there are about 87,000 expatriates from India based there,” he added.
