What is the India e-Visa?
The India e-Visa is an electronic travel authorisation issued by the Government of India. Instead of sending your passport to a consulate, you complete an online form, upload a photograph and a scan of your passport, pay any applicable fee and wait for an approval to arrive by email.
When you land at a designated airport or seaport, you present the approval together with your passport and the immigration officer decides whether to admit you. An approved e-Visa is an authorisation to travel, not a guarantee of entry.
Malaysian citizens generally need a visa for India. The e-Visa is the simplest route for many short trips, though some purposes of travel need a regular visa instead.
e-Visa categories
The official portal offers several categories. Pick the one that matches the main purpose of your trip, as permitted activities and supporting documents differ.
- e-Tourist: sightseeing, recreation, visiting friends and relatives, and short courses or yoga programmes. Options of 30 days, 1 year and 5 years are listed on the portal.
- e-Business: meetings, trade, buying and selling goods, and attending commercial events.
- e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant: treatment in recognised hospitals and accompanying family members.
- e-Conference: approved conferences, seminars and workshops.
Employment, journalism and work for a non-governmental organisation require other types of visa.
Fees and the Malaysian fee waiver
The High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur has announced that Malaysian nationals can apply for the 30-day e-Tourist visa without a visa fee until 31 December 2026. Other categories and durations carry the fees published on the official portal.
A waived fee does not mean visa-free travel. You still need an approved e-Visa before departure. Dates and conditions can change, so confirm on the High Commission website before you apply. If you use an independent assistance service, its charge is separate from government fees and always optional.
Conditions and limits to know
- The e-Visa cannot be extended or converted to another visa type.
- It is not valid for protected, restricted or cantonment areas.
- Your passport needs enough validity and blank pages. See the requirements page.
- Holders of certain passports, including Pakistani passports, are not eligible.
- Apply early. The portal states a minimum lead time before arrival.
Where you can arrive
The e-Visa is accepted at designated airports and seaports only, not at land borders. Major gateways such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad are on the list, but always check the current list on the official portal against your actual arrival airport before booking flights.
How to apply
You can apply directly on the official Government of India e-Visa portal. No agent is required. Gather your documents, choose the right category, complete the form carefully, pay any fee and save your application reference.
