Travel Guides & Articles
India Boosts Travel Industry with Free 30-Day E-Tourist Visa For Malaysian Nationals, Valid Until 2026
Sunday, July 27, 2025
To encourage tourism and further strengthen the relationship between the two nations, India announced a 30-day complimentary double-entry e-Tourist visa for all Malaysian passport holders with travel validity unto December 31, 2026. The move to waive off visa fees and encourage online applications without visiting embassies is to make travel more convenient, affordable and a hassle-free experience for Malaysians who want to visit India for its cultural treasures, spiritual havens, historical wonders and natural beauty.
India Launches Free 30-Day e-Tourist Visa for Malaysian Nationals, Valid Through 2026
For Malaysian passport holders eager to explore India, the Indian government has made traveling to the vibrant subcontinent easier and more affordable than ever. In a move to enhance tourism and strengthen bilateral relations, India has extended a complimentary 30-day e-Tourist visa to Malaysian nationals, which comes with double entry and is completely free of charge. Valid through December 31, 2026, this initiative marks a significant milestone in India’s push to simplify the visa process for international visitors.
How the 30-Day Free e-Tourist Visa Works
The Indian government’s 30-day e-Tourist visa is an ideal travel document for tourists seeking to experience India’s rich culture, bustling cities, spiritual sites, and breathtaking landscapes. This visa offers convenience and flexibility, allowing travelers to apply online and avoid the usual hassles associated with embassy visits or lengthy paperwork. Below is an overview of the key features of the free visa program:
- Visa Type: e-Tourist Visa
- Duration: 30 days from the date of arrival
- Entries Allowed: Double entry (ideal for those wishing to visit neighboring countries like Sri Lanka or Nepal and return to India within the visa’s validity period)
- Visa Fees: Free of charge (zero visa fees)
- Deadline: Available until December 31, 2026
- Application Process: 100% online; no need to visit the embassy
Key Benefits of the Free e-Tourist Visa
- Zero Visa Fees: The most attractive feature of this offer is the elimination of all visa fees. Malaysian citizens can apply for and receive their visa entirely free of charge, making it a budget-friendly option for those wanting to explore India.
- Double Entry: This visa allows Malaysian nationals to enter India twice within the validity period. This flexibility is perfect for travelers who wish to take side trips to neighboring countries and return to India within the 30-day window.
- Simple Online Application: Forget about complicated forms or embassy queues. The entire process can be completed online through the official e-visa portal. All you need is a valid passport (with at least six months of validity and two blank pages) and a few supporting documents.
- Convenient Approval Process: After applying online, applicants will typically receive their Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) within 72 hours via email. Upon arrival in India, travelers can present their ETA at immigration to receive the final visa stamp in their passport.
How to Apply for the Free 30-Day e-Tourist Visa
Applying for the free e-Tourist visa is a straightforward process. Simply follow these steps:
- Visit the official e-visa portal
- Fill out the application: Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months and contains two blank pages for the visa stamp. Complete the online form with the necessary details.
- Upload documents: Along with the application, you’ll need to upload a recent photograph of yourself and any other required documents. Check the portal’s guidelines for a full list of acceptable documents.
- Submit your application: Since this is a free visa offer, skip the payment step and submit your application. There is no need to enter payment details.
- Wait for the approval: After submitting the application, you’ll typically receive an approval email within 72 hours. This email will contain your ETA.
- Immigration Process: Upon arrival in India, present your ETA at the immigration counter. The visa will be stamped into your passport, and you’re all set to explore India.
What’s Not Covered by the Free Visa Offer?
While the 30-day e-Tourist visa is entirely free for Malaysian nationals, there are a few things to keep in mind. The gratis offer only applies to the e-Tourist visa category, which is designed for tourism purposes. Other visa categories, such as:
- e-Business Visa
- e-Conference Visa
- e-Medical Visa
- e-Ayush Visa
- e-Emergency Miscellaneous Visa
…are not included in this offer, and standard visa fees still apply to these types of visas.
Options for Those Preferring a Regular Paper Visa
For those who prefer a traditional paper visa instead of the e-Tourist visa, the Indian government still offers the option to apply for one through its Consular Application Centres (IVS Global Services) in Malaysia. There are six cities across Malaysia where applicants can apply for paper visas. Alternatively, you can apply through the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur. However, the usual visa fees will apply for paper visa applications.
Important Notes to Remember
- The free e-Tourist visa offer is subject to the terms and conditions of India’s e-visa policy, which can be found on the official website.
- Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months before applying for the visa.
- Only the 30-day e-Tourist visa is eligible for this free offer. Other visa categories, like business or medical visas, still require payment.
India’s free 30-day e-Tourist visa for Malaysians is a real game changer for those who wish to visit one of the most diverse and culturally rich countries in the world. Whether you’re journeying to India to witness the giving beauty of the Taj Mahal, stretch your legs in the serenity of Rishikesh or indulge in the street food glories of Mumbai, this visa offer means it is now more accessible and affordable than ever to plan your visit.
India has launched a free 30-day double-entry e-Tourist visa for Malaysian nationals to boost tourism and ease travel formalities. This move aims to attract more Malaysian visitors by removing visa fees and simplifying the entry process through an online system.
The offer is good through 2026, so there’s ample time to organize your adventure. Fill in your application online today, receive your ETA within a few days, and start your unforgettable journey to India, no fuss.
Travel Guides & Articles
Guru Nanak’s birth aniv: Centre denies Sikh jatha permission to visit Pakistan
The Union government has refused permission to send a Sikh jatha (group of pilgrims) to Pakistan for Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak’s Parkash Parb in November this year, citing security concerns.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had started the process earlier this year in July, gathering passports of intending devotees and sending applications to the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi for the necessary visas for the 10-day pilgrimage. However, in a letter sent to the chief secretary of Punjab and other neighbouring states, the Union ministry of home affairs stated that the current security situation between India and Pakistan made it unsafe for pilgrims to travel.
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“Considering the prevailing security scenario with Pakistan, it would not be possible to send the Sikh pilgrims’ jatha to Pakistan on the occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurparb in November 2025. We request that Sikh organisations in your state are informed and that the processing of jatha applications is stopped immediately,” reads the letter, dated September 12, sent by the under secretary of the Union ministry of home affairs to the chief secretary of Punjab and other neighbouring states.
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The Union government’s refusal to permit the Sikh jatha follows a series of security-related travel restrictions. The SGPC was unable to send pilgrims to Pakistan for the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in June this year due to similar concerns.
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The Union government’s refusal to permit the Sikh jatha follows a series of security-related travel restrictions. The SGPC was unable to send pilgrims to Pakistan for the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in June this year due to similar concerns.
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After the Pahalgam terror attack in April this year, which claimed the lives of 26 people, the Union government tightened travel restrictions, barring Indian citizens from travelling to Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border checkpost. In response, Pakistan suspended all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas for Indian nationals, with the exception of Sikh pilgrims.
SGPC condemns move
The decision has sparked outrage, with SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami condemning the government’s refusal. “This decision is an insult to the religious sentiments of Sikh pilgrims. While cricket matches are being played between India and Pakistan, pilgrims wishing to visit their religious shrines are being denied this right in the name of security,” Dhami said.
He appealed to the Union government to reconsider the decision, pointing out that the Sikh pilgrimage to Pakistan has been a long-standing tradition, with Sikh jathas visiting Pakistan for Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary for decades. “Since Partition, Indian Sikhs have been allowed to visit their religious shrines in Pakistan without interruption. This is the first time such a situation has occurred,” Dhami added.
Guru Nanak’s Parkash Gurparb is a major religious occasion for Sikhs worldwide, with many travelling to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan to pay homage at the Guru’s birthplace. The Nehru-Liaquat Pact of 1950 allows Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan’s sacred shrines on four key occasions — Baisakhi (Khalsa Panth foundation), Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom day, death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary.
In the past, thousands of Indian Sikhs have visited Pakistan for the Guru Nanak Gurpurab celebrations. In 2023, over 5,800 Indian pilgrims travelled to Pakistan’s gurdwaras to mark the Khalsa Foundation Day (Baisakhi), setting a record.
KOHIMA- Heavy monsoon rains lashed Nagaland on Sunday, triggering multiple landslides that disrupted traffic along both National Highway-29 (NH-29) and alternative routes, prompting authorities to issue an urgent travel advisory. While no casualties have been reported, officials have cautioned residents and travelers to remain alert as the state braces for more rain in the coming days.
In Peren district, Deputy Commissioner’s office issued a public advisory warning of several landslides along the Mhainamtsi–Pimla road, an alternate route frequently used when NH-29 is blocked. Authorities confirmed that the road is currently impassable, with debris and unstable slopes posing risks of further slides.
Meanwhile, flooding from the Chathe River triggered a major landslide near Pherima village on NH-29, the crucial highway connecting state capital Kohima to the commercial hub of Dimapur. Videos shared on social media showed massive debris covering the highway, stranding vehicles and halting movement of goods.
Emergency teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), have been deployed for clearance and restoration work. Officials recalled that this stretch witnessed a deadly landslide in September 2024, which claimed six lives, underscoring the chronic vulnerability of the route.
The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) reiterated its warnings about landslide-prone zones in the state, urging people to avoid travel on unsafe stretches, monitor official updates, and remain vigilant in hillside villages. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy showers for the next 48 hours, raising the risk of further landslides and flash floods.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s office assured that state resources have been mobilized, and local communities will receive support. Residents in vulnerable areas have been asked to follow NSDMA’s safety guidelines, including avoiding steep slopes, watching for unusual cracks or ground movement, and preparing for possible evacuations.
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