Visiting of Malaysians to India become costlier
Travelling of Malaysians to India will be expensive as the India’s eVisa charges increased from RM200 (Rs 3,400) to RM 320 (Rs 5,440), and is valid for four months. The new charges came into being on June 25 2018; scraping the cheaper six-month visa that was priced at RM194.56 (Rs 3,308).
Over-the-counter visas are now priced at RM462.56 (Rs 7,865), excluding service charges. Validity is one year.
The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) member Gopalan Mariappan said the price increase will adversely affect the inflow of Malaysian tourists to India
“The stoppage of the cheaper six-month visa will make Malaysians think twice. Spending RM320 or RM462.56 for a tourist visa is a lot of money,” said Gopalan.
“Most Malaysians spend about five to seven days in India, and they usually make one trip a year. So the amount visitors pay for the visa might not be worth it,” he added.
Herritage G Tour Agency director S. Gokilan said the price increase would be a burden to travellers. “This will affect Malaysian Indians who travel back to India for pilgrimage or to see family,” he said.