With nearly 26 million visitors visiting the country in 2017, Malaysia is one of the most visited countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Malacca, Ipoh etc. are some of the cities that attract visitors from around the world to Malaysia.
Malaysia had caught my attention for a while and after meeting a Malay guy in Bangkok, I had decided to visit the country at the earliest I could.
When searching for flights to Kuala Lumpur, I stumbled upon a good AirAsia deal that would fly me from Bhubaneswar for a very affordable rate. Flying from other cities like Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata was costlier so I decided to pay a visit to Bhubaneswar, Odisha and then fly to Kuala Lumpur from there.
This itinerary allowed me to visit Bhubaneswar and nearby cities like Puri and Konark as well as to save some money on airfare. So I decided to give it a go and began the process or applying for a Malaysia eVisa from India.
In this article, I will explain how to apply for a Malaysia eVisa from India. Read it and get ready for an adventure in Malaysia.
Understanding Malaysia eVisa
To simplify the visa application process, Malaysia introduced electronic visa (eVisa) system in 2017. Malaysia eVisa is available for citizens of 10 countries that include China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Serbia, and Montenegro. An online application for Malaysia eVisa can be done from anywhere in the world except Malaysia and Singapore.
Travellers from eligible countries can obtain a single entry visa for up to 30 days. Indian nationals, however, get a 15 or 30 days multiple entry visa. A Malaysian eVisa cannot be extended and you must leave the country before your visa expires.
It takes at least 3 working days to process a visa application. An applicant is to make two separate payments for an application. One is for processing fee and second is for visa fee plus a convenience fee. For Indian citizens, the processing fee is $25, visa fee is INR 1000, and the convenience fee is INR 150.
Note: There’s also a separate visa system called eNTRI visa for Indian and Chinese nationals. This article is not about eNTRI.
Documents Required for Malaysia eVisa
- A passport size photo strictly according to the guidelines.
- A scanned copy of passport.
- Confirmed return flight ticket.
- Hotel bookings for the complete duration of your stay. Online bookings are accepted.
- A scanned copy of the visa stamp of the last country you have visited. Not required if your passport is fresh.
- Any other document asked by the visa authority after your application.
Passport-size Photo Guidelines for Malaysia eVisa
- The size of the photo must be 35mm (width) by 55mm (height).
- The photo must be taken in a studio. No scanned copy or self-captured photo allowed.
- The photo must be exposed properly. Not too bright, not too dark.
- There should be no borders around your photo.
- The background must be white without shadow.
Refer to the following graphic for better understating of passport photo requirements.
Note: Malaysian embassy is very strict regarding passport photo requirements. Make sure you follow the guidelines correctly.
About Return Flight Tickets
In order to apply for a Malaysia visa, you have to show the embassy when will you be returning to India. Simply showing an onward ticket will not do the job.
In my case, for example, I booked an onward flight to Vietnam and provided it during the application. But I was asked to provide them with a flight ticket that showed my return to India. I had to provide them with India to Malaysia, Malaysia to Vietnam, and Vietnam to India flight tickets in order to get my visa application approved.
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Applying for Malaysia eVisa from India
Alright, that’s everything you should know before applying for Malaysia eVisa from India. Now it’s time to start an application for the same.
Step 1: Create an account at Window Malaysia
Visit www.windowmalaysia.my and click I am New. Then enter the required details and create an account. You will receive an email asking you to verify your account. Click the verification link inside the email and you’re ready to use the eVisa portal.
Now login to Window Malaysia and click Apply eVisa. Start a new application by clicking Apply Now. Click Tourist to apply for a tourist visa.
Step 2: Filling the Visa Form
Now carefully fill the visa form you’re presented with. Also upload your passport-size photo, a copy of your passport, flight tickets, accommodation proof, etc.
Note: If you have more than one document of the same kind (different hotel bookings for example), combine them into one PDF.
On the same page, you will select the duration and purpose of your visit. Select Tour as purpose and duration which can be either 30 days multiple entry or 15 days each entry.
Step 3: Verify the Details
Once you provide all the details as required, click Next. Now take a look at the preview of the information you have provided. If you see some error, you can change it. If everything looks perfect, click Next.
Step 4: Making Payments
Okay. You just filled your visa form and provided all the documents as required. You also reviewed the information and made changes where applicable. Now it’s time to make payment for your Malaysia eVisa application.
Just keep in mind that you will have to make two separate payments in order to submit the application. One payment will be for $25 as processing fee and another will be of INR 1000 + 150 as visa and convenience fee. After you complete your first payment, come back to the Window Malaysia payment page and finish your second payment.
Once you finish both payments, your application will be submitted for a review. After the application is reviewed, it will be sent to the embassy for approval.
That’s all. You just applied for Malaysia eVisa from India. Now, wait for about 3 working days to receive a response from the embassy. Once your visa is approved, you will receive an email informing the same.
If a document was missing or if an error was spotted in your application, you will receive an email requesting for a document or to amend your application. After you do this, the application will be processed once again so you will have to wait for at least 2 to 3 days more.
Step 5: Printing Your eVisa
Once you receive an email confirming the approval of your eVisa application, head over to Window Malaysia and log in. Now download the eVisa and print a few copied of it in colour or in black and white.
Along with your eVisa, also print all your flights and hotel confirmations. Carry all these documents with you as the immigration officer will check all these documents before a stamping your passport. In fact, these documents will be checked by your airline at check-in and by Indian immigration officials, as well.
Applying for Malaysia eVisa from India: Summary
Applying for Malaysia eVisa from India is an easy and straightforward process. You just have to be careful with the document requirements or your application can be refused.
The eVisa application is to be made at the official eVisa website – Window Malaysia. You will need a passport size photo, a copy of your passport’s first page, flights and hotel bookings etc. while filling up the online form. Keep everything handy before applying for smoother processing of your application.
Just so you know, this method remains the same for all other citizens who are eligible for a Malaysia eVisa.
That’s all, folks. This was an article showing you how to apply for a Malaysia eVisa. I wish you a happy journey to Malaysia!
Looking for a place to stay in Kuala Lumpur? There are hundreds of options like guesthouses, hostels, and hotels you can choose from. A bed in decent a dormitory in Kuala Lumpur starts from as low as 15 Ringgit.
Note: Visa requirements are subject to change. Please refer to the official details before applying for a visa.