The Dutch authorities have issued a fake news alert, clarifying that there are no Schengen visa restrictions or bans targeting Malaysian passport holders.
The clarification from the Netherlands comes after several videos have been circulating on different social media platforms, mentioning visa restrictions for this group of foreign nationals, Schengen.News reports.
As the official website of the Kingdom of the Netherlands explains, a particular video on social media networks has falsely indicated that some Schengen member states have limited the permitted period of stay for Malaysian nationals to only seven days.
Concerned about such allegations, the Dutch authorities stressed that this information was false.
Malaysian nationals are permitted visa-free entry to the Schengen Areameaning that they are not subject to visa restrictions or requirements for short stays.
Under the visa-free travel agreement, Malaysian passport holders can remain within the bloc for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without needing to undergo any visa procedures.
The information is false under the EU visa code; Malaysian nationals are exempt from short-stay visas throughout the Schengen area. They can therefore enter European territory for 90 days within a 180-day period.
Malaysians Will Need an ETIAS to Travel to EU Soon
While Malaysian passport holders are eligible for visa-free entry to the Schengen Area for short stays, they will soon need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System).
The ETIAS travel authorisation, which is set to become mandatory for EU travel in April 2027, at the earliestwill apply to all travellers who are permitted visa-free entry to the bloc.
The aim of the ETIAS is to strengthen border security and management by pre-screening travellers who are coming to the EU from visa-exempt countries.
The application for the ETIAS will be very simple and straightforward. Once the system launches, applications can be filled out by either using the official ETIAS website of the ETIAS mobile application.
The ETIAS travel authorisation will cost €7. Most of the applications will be processed within minutes and the document will remain valid for three years or until the travel document of the applicant expires, whichever comes first.