India Tourist Visa for Malaysian Citizens: A 2025 Pilgrimage Guide

Written by: Kuldeep Shukla

October 17, 2025

This is your essential guide to getting an Indian tourist visa as a Malaysian citizen.

Free Visa Available: Malaysian citizens can get a FREE 30-day, double-entry e-Tourist visa for travel until December 31, 2026. Longer 1-year and 5-year paid options are also available.
Use Official Website ONLY: Apply exclusively at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/. The government warns against numerous fraudulent websites that look similar.
Key Documents Needed: You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months and a recent digital photograph (2×2 inch, JPEG, plain white background) that meets exact specifications.
Know the Rules: E-visas are non-extendable. For long-term visas, you can only stay 90 days per visit and a total of 180 days in a single calendar year.
Avoid Rejection: The most common reasons for rejection are incorrect photo uploads and mismatched information between the application and your passport. Double-check everything before submitting.

Malaysian citizens planning spiritual journeys or tourist visits to India have access to streamlined visa options. This comprehensive guide covers all necessary information for applying for an India Tourist Visa for Malaysian Citizens in 2025, detailing the special privileges, required documentation, step-by-step processes, and crucial regulations to ensure a successful application.

Special Visa Benefits for Malaysian Citizens

As of 2025, Malaysia enjoys special visa privileges with India, making pilgrimage travel significantly more accessible.

Gratis 30-Day E-Tourist Visa (Extended Until December 31, 2026)
The Government of India, under a bilateral agreement with Malaysia, has extended the provision of free 30-day e-Tourist visas for Malaysian citizens.

Key Features:

Visa Fee: Zero visa fees (gratis/free).
Validity: 30 days with double entry.
Applicable Period: This offer is valid from July 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026.
Application Method: Apply through the standard official e-visa portal.
Beneficiaries: This initiative specifically benefits pilgrims visiting renowned religious sites, including Varanasi, Gaya, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Amritsar, and other sacred destinations.

Official Application Websites

To avoid fraudulent activities, it is imperative to use only the official government websites.

Primary Official Portal (Use ONLY This Website):

E-Visa applications: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
Regular visa applications: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/

Important Advisory: The Government of India has issued warnings about numerous fraudulent websites claiming to offer Indian visa services. These fake sites include:

e-touristvisaindia.com
e-visaindia.com
indiavisa.org.in
evisaindia.com
visatoindia.org
india-visa-gov.in

(More fake websites are listed here)

Always verify you are on the official .gov.in domain before entering personal information or making payments.

Types of E-Tourist Visas Available

Malaysian citizens can choose from three e-Tourist visa categories based on their travel needs.

1. 30-Day E-Tourist Visa

Validity: 30 days from the date of your first arrival in India.
Entries: Double entry.
Maximum Stay: 30 consecutive days.
Fee for Malaysians: FREE (Gratis) until December 31, 2026.
Application Window: Apply between 4 to 30 days before your travel date.
Rules: This visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

2. 1-Year E-Tourist Visa

Validity: 365 days from the date the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is granted.
Entries: Multiple entries.
Maximum Stay: 90 days per visit. The total cumulative stay in India cannot exceed 180 days per calendar year.
Fee: USD $40 (approximately RM 180-190).
Application Window: Apply between 4 to 120 days before your travel date.
Rules: This visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

3. 5-Year E-Tourist Visa

Validity: 5 years from the date the ETA is granted.
Entries: Multiple entries.
Maximum Stay: 90 days per visit. The total cumulative stay in India cannot exceed 180 days per calendar year.
Fee: USD $80 (approximately RM 360-380).
Application Window: Apply between 4 to 120 days before your travel date.
Rules: This visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

Important Note: The maximum cumulative stay in India on any type of tourist visa (e-visa or regular paper visa) is restricted to 180 days per calendar year (January 1 to December 31).

Eligibility Criteria and Requirements for Visa

Basic Eligibility

Passport Validity: Must have a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of arrival in India.
Blank Pages: The passport must contain at least 2 blank pages for immigration stamps.
Passport Condition: The passport must not be mutilated, damaged, or tampered with.
Individual Passports: Each traveler needs a separate passport. Individuals endorsed on a parent’s or spouse’s passport are not eligible.
Travel Documents: Must possess a return ticket or an onward journey ticket.
Financial Proof: Must have sufficient funds for the stay in India.
Accommodation Proof: Valid hotel bookings are required.

Click hereto download full Pdf on GENERAL POLICY GUIDELINES RELATING TO INDIAN VISA by Ministry of Home Affairs

Purpose of Visit

An India Tourist Visa for Malaysian Citizens is granted for:

Recreation and sightseeing.
Pilgrimage to religious sites.
Casual visits to meet friends and relatives.
Attending short-term yoga programs.
Short-term courses (in languages, music, dance, arts, cooking, medicine) not exceeding 6 months.
Voluntary work of short duration (maximum 1 month, must be unpaid).

Activities Not Permitted on an E-Tourist Visa:

Employment or any paid work.
Formal studies that lead to a qualifying certificate.
Journalism activities.
NGO work (except the short-term voluntary work mentioned above).
Business activities (this requires an e-Business visa).

Required Documents

Mandatory Documents for All E-Tourist Visa Applications

1. Passport

A scanned copy of the passport’s bio-data page (the page with your photo and details).
Format: PDF.
The scan must be clear, high-resolution, and show all details without obstruction.

2. Recent Photograph

Size: 51mm x 51mm (2 inches x 2 inches).
Format: JPEG only.
File Size: Minimum 10 KB, maximum 300 KB (some sources indicate up to 1 MB is acceptable).
Dimensions: Minimum 350 pixels (width) × 350 pixels (height).
Background: Plain white, with no shadows, patterns, or borders.
Face: Must cover 70-80% of the photo area and be centered.
Recency: Must have been taken within the last 3-6 months.
Expression: Neutral, with mouth closed and eyes open and clearly visible.
Eyewear: Clear glasses are permitted, but eyes must be fully visible without any reflections.
Headgear: Allowed only for religious or medical reasons and must contrast with the white background.
Quality: The photo must be in sharp focus, with proper lighting, and no shadows on the face or background.
Important: Do NOT crop a photo from your passport to use as your visa photo. You must upload a fresh, front-facing photograph.

Click hereto download full instructions on Photograph by Consulate General of India

Additional Documents (If Applicable)

Hotel booking confirmation.
Flight itinerary/tickets.
Bank statements (as proof of sufficient funds).
Travel insurance (highly recommended but not mandatory).

Step-by-Step Application Process for India Tourist Visa for Malaysian Citizens

Step 1: Online Registration

Visit the official portal: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.
Click “Apply Here” or “e-Visa Application”.
Select your passport type (Ordinary/Regular) and nationality (Malaysia).
Enter your port of arrival, date of birth, and email address.
Enter your expected date of arrival and select the visa service: “e-Tourist Visa”.
Enter the verification code and click “Continue”.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form
Fill in all sections accurately:

Personal Details: Full name (exactly as in passport), date and place of birth, nationality, religion, and any visible identification marks (moles, birthmarks, scars).
Passport Details: Passport number, issue and expiry dates, place of issue, and details of any previous passports.
Address Details: Present address in Malaysia, residential address, contact numbers, and an email address (mandatory for OTP verification).
Family Details: Father’s name and nationality, mother’s name and nationality, marital status, and spouse details.
Profession/Occupation: Current employment details, including employer name and address.
Visa Details: Purpose of visit (e.g., Tourism/Pilgrimage), places to be visited in India, expected duration of stay, and reference details in India (if any).
Previous Visa History: Details of any previous Indian visas, previous visit dates, and a history of visits to SAARC countries.
Declaration Questions: Answer all yes/no questions truthfully regarding criminal history, deportation history, and previous visa rejections.

Step 3: Upload Documents

Upload the scanned PDF of your passport bio-data page.
Upload your recent JPEG photograph that meets all specifications.

Step 4: Review and Verify

Carefully review all entered information for spelling errors and correct dates.
Confirm your photograph meets all requirements.
Accept the declaration and terms.

Step 5: Submit Application

Click “Verify and Continue”.
You will receive a temporary Application ID. Save this ID for payment and tracking.

Step 6: Make Payment (Full details here.)

Payment Methods Accepted: Visa/MasterCard credit/debit cards (international) and PayPal.
For 30-Day E-Tourist Visa (Malaysian Citizens):
- Visa Fee: USD $0 (FREE/Gratis).
- Processing Fee: A small processing fee is applicable.
- Bank Charges: An additional 2.5% on the transaction.
For 1-Year and 5-Year E-Tourist Visas:
- Visa Fee: USD $40 (1-year) or USD $80 (5-year).
- Bank Charges: Up to 3% plus applicable taxes.
Payment Support:
- SBI ePay: +91-22-2753-5773 (24×7) or sbiepay@sbi.co.in.
- Axis Bank: +91 1800-419-0073 (24×7) or ecom@axisbank.com.
Important Payment Notes:
- Ensure 3D Secure/OTP authentication is enabled on your card.
- Clear your browser history and cookies before payment.
- If a payment fails but the amount is debited, a refund will be processed within 7 days. Do not attempt multiple payments immediately; wait 25-30 minutes.
- Visa fees are non-refundable, regardless of the application outcome.

Step 7: Track Application Status

Processing takes 72 hours (3 business days) on average, but some applications may take up to 5 business days.
Check your status at: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/ → “Check your Visa Status”.
Status updates are also sent via email and SMS.

Step 8: Receive ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

The approved ETA will be sent to your registered email address.
Print 2-3 copies of the ETA on A4 paper and carry them with your passport when traveling.

Step 9: Entry into India

Present your printed ETA at the designated immigration checkpoint.
The immigration officer will stamp the e-visa in your passport.
Your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) will be collected at the airport.

Designated Entry and Exit Points

Entry Points (E-Visa holders MUST enter through one of these only):

31 Designated Airports:

Ahmedabad
Amritsar
Bagdogra
Bengaluru
Bhubaneshwar
Calicut
Chennai
Chandigarh
Cochin
Coimbatore
Delhi
Gaya
Goa (Dabolim)
Goa (Mopa)
Guwahati
Hyderabad
Indore
Jaipur
Kannur
Kolkata
Lucknow
Madurai
Mangalore
Mumbai
Nagpur
Port Blair
Pune
Tiruchirapalli
Trivandrum
Varanasi
Visakhapatnam

5 Designated Seaports (For Cruise Passengers):

Chennai
Cochin
Goa
Mangalore
Mumbai

Exit Points: E-visa holders can exit from any of the 104 authorized Immigration Check Posts in India, including all airports, seaports, land borders, and railway checkpoints.

Processing Time and Timeline

Standard Processing: 3-5 business days.
Application Timeline (30-day visa): Apply 4-30 days before travel.
Application Timeline (1-year/5-year visa): Apply 4-120 days before travel.
Expedited Processing: There is no official express or emergency e-visa service. Websites claiming “express service” for additional fees are fraudulent.
Best Practice: Apply at least 7-10 days before travel to allow for any issues.

Common Reasons for E-Visa Rejection and How to Avoid Them

Incorrect or Mismatched Passport Details: Name spelling, passport number, or dates do not match the passport exactly. Solution: Double-check every character before submission.
Photo Specification Issues: Wrong background color, shadows, poor quality, or incorrect dimensions. Solution: Use professional photo services and follow specifications exactly.
Incomplete or Unclear Documents: Blurry passport scans or missing information. Solution: Upload high-resolution, clear scans in the correct format.
Incorrect Visa Category Selection: Applying for a tourist visa for business purposes. Solution: Carefully read category descriptions.
Payment Failures: Transaction timeouts or using cards without international capability. Solution: Use an internationally enabled card with sufficient balance.
Previous Visa Violations: Overstaying or not disclosing previous visa rejections. Solution: Be completely honest about your visa history.
Insufficient Proof of Intent to Return: No return ticket or insufficient funds. Solution: Have confirmed bookings and an adequate bank balance.
Application Errors: Typographical errors or inconsistent information. Solution: Review the entire application multiple times before submission.

Important Rules and Regulations

Stay Duration Rules: The 180-day total stay limit per calendar year (Jan 1 to Dec 31) for 1-year and 5-year visas is strictly enforced.
Visa Extension Policy: E-Tourist visas are non-extendable and non-convertible. To stay longer, you must exit India and apply for a new visa.
Registration Requirements: Tourist visa holders staying less than 180 days do NOT need to register with the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office).
Restrictions: You cannot work, engage in business, study formal courses, or engage in journalism on a tourist visa. You must not visit restricted/protected areas without special permits.

Visa Application Centers in Malaysia

While e-visas are fully online, regular visa applications are handled through these centers:

Kuala Lumpur Office (ICAC):

Address: IVS VMS Sdn Bhd, Level 12-1, Sentral Vista, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur.
Phone: +60 1 2369 2535
Email: ivsvmsmalaysia@gmail.com
Hours: Application: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Collection: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM.

Note:

Visa Application: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Visa/Passport Pickup: After 3 business days, from 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM.
Non-Malaysians: Processing takes at least 8 business days.

Penang Office (India Visa Center):

Address: No. 105, Lebuh Chulia, 10200 Penang.
Phone: +60 1 9476 2506
Email: penang@ivsglobal.in
Hours: Application: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Collection: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM.