Malaysia Visa on Arrival: Pros and Cons

Note: This article has been modified as per new rule changes in 2020 by the Malaysian government.

The process for obtaining a Malaysian Visa has been simplified by the Malaysian government in an effort to boost tourism. Consequently, the government has bought about new regulations, pertaining to electronic Visa (Malaysia eVisa) and Malaysia Visa on Arrival.

Can Indians get Malaysia visa on Arrival?

According to blinkvisa.com, The short answer is YES. But it is not the preferred type of Malaysia visa to get because of its restrictions. Such as

Cost: One needs to pay USD 100
Stay Period: This visa is given only for 7 days. The cheapest Malaysia visa (eNTRI) gives you a minimum of 14 days of Stay.
Proof of Income: You need to have at least $1000 worth of RM with you in hand to be eligible for this visa which increases your conversion cost.
Other visas: You must have visas from any of the following countries -Thailand, Indonesia or Singapore to be eligible for this visa.

Visa on Arrival is an entry permit given to a person on arrival into the country. This permit functions the same way a visa does and allows the individual to enter the country. A Malaysia Visa on arrival is the permit you get after entering Malaysia, in order to stay in the country. You have queue up at the immigration counter, pay for the visa and get the stamp of approval on your passport, all after reaching Malaysia. This visa is available to certain nationalities and at certain checkpoints only.

This article will explain to you in detail about Malaysia tourist visa, Malaysia visa scams, Malaysia visa cost, document requirements for Malaysia visa as well as how to apply for Malaysia visa from India without getting it rejected.

Is Malaysia Visa For Indians Really Free?

Malaysia visa for Indians is not free. The eNTRI visa still requires tourists to pay the convenience and processing charges. Only the visa fee of INR 1000 is waived off by the Malaysian Government.

The visa fee is split into 2 parts. One would be paying the processing and convenience fee You can contact window Malaysia for the same to confirm.

With Blinkvisa, it is now possible to get your Malaysia visa at just INR 1900. And most importantly, you will get 100% cashback of your visa fee which you can use to book flight, hotel, activities with Blinkvisa.

Read for More Information: Malaysia Visa – A complete Guide

Other types of Malaysia Tourist Visa

The type of visa you apply for depends on what your purpose in Malaysia is and how long you will be residing in the country. Based on these factors, Malaysian Visa For Indian Citizens can be broadly classified into 4 categories:

Single entry Visa
Multiple entry Visa
eNTRI visa
Transit Visa

Eligibility for a Malaysia Visa on Arrival?

Currently, the Malaysian government offers Visa on arrival for the citizens of only 2 countries, namely:

China
India

However, this is applicable only under the following conditions:

You are arriving from Indonesia, Thailand or Singapore
Hold a valid visa for either of these countries
Have 1000 USD on you, as proof of your sustenance
Willing to pay a 100 USD fee for processing the Visa on arrival
If the above conditions are met you can apply for a Visa on arrival, at a particular checkpoint where Visa on arrival is processed.

Submit proof that you have enough money for sustenance during your stay in Malaysia. You need to have at least 1000 USD with you or a credit card issued by an international bank such as Citi or Amex.

Show proof that you hold a return ticket to India.
After rigorous checking and validation of all your documents, your Malaysia Visa on Arrival would be approved.

Entry points For Malaysia Visa on Arrival process

If arriving via flight, you can apply for a Visa on Arrival at any of the following airports:

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2)
Bayan Lepas International Airport, Pulau Pinang
Sultan Ismail, Senai Airport, Johor
Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Sabah.
Kuching International Airport, Sarawak.

If arriving through the land borders, you can apply at:

Tuas – Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (Second Link) only

Requirements For Malaysia Visa on arrival

Given below is the list of documents you need to submit to the Immigration counter, to get your Visa on Arrival.

Your passport, with at least 6 months validity
A valid travel visa for Indonesia, Singapore or Thailand
Return ticket to India
Bank statement showing 1000 USD deposits

Malaysia Visa On Arrival – Pros and Cons

Pros

Convenience: Are you are a tourist vacationing in Singapore, whose next destination in Malaysia? Or is Malaysia the next stop on your business trip after Thailand? Then a Visa on Arrival offers convenience and ease, as you need not fill out a form and wait for days to get a separate visa. A Visa on Arrival is your best bet if you’re planning a short trip to Malaysia after visiting either of the eligible countries.
Simplicity: The process to obtain a Malaysia Visa on Arrival is a relatively simple process. If you have a valid visa for Singapore, Thailand or Indonesia then you need just submit the visa processing fee and return ticket proof. You don’t require any extra documents apart from these.
Time-saving: If you already hold a visa for Singapore or Indonesia then you can enter Malaysia directly, provided the conditions are met. It saves you a lot of time that would be lost applying for a separate visa for Malaysia. Submitting documents, filling registration forms, getting approval for a visa takes about 2 weeks. This precious time can be saved if you enter Malaysia directly.

Cons

Higher Cost: A Malaysia Visa on Arrival has a processing fee of 100 USD. In comparison, a normal single entry or multiple entry visa which costs significantly less.
Arrival: The Malaysia Visa on Arrival is valid only if you enter from Indonesia, Singapore or Thailand. If you are already vacationing there its convenient, however, if your travel plans do not have either of these countries on your list, then the visa is practical of no use.
Sustenance money: It is mandated that if you enter Malaysia with a Visa on Arrival, then you must have a deposit of 1000 USD with you. This is to prove that you have enough to sustain yourself on your tour to Malaysia. The normal visa application has no such rules. You need not carry any minimum amount with you.
Valid for a week: If you obtain a Visa on Arrival it would be valid for only 7 days. If your duration in Malaysia is more than a week then the Visa on Arrival is not for you. This time period is non-extendable

eNTRI- The best alternative to Malaysia Visa on Arrival

For an Indian citizen, the best alternative to the Malaysia Visa on Arrival is the Malaysia eNTRI Visa. The name eNTRI is short for Electronic Travel Registration and Information. It was formulated as a part of the Visa Waiver Program to boost relationships between India and Malaysia. The eNRTI Visa is applicable for Indian and Chinese nationals only. Apply for the eNTRI Visa easily online and at a lesser fee.

The eNTRI visa is better option than a Visa on Arrival in the following ways:

With an eNTRI Visa, you can stay in Malaysia for 15 days and the visa is valid for a duration of 3 months from the date of issuing. Unlike a Visa on Arrival, that is valid and will allow you to stay in the country only for a week.
The eNTRI visa costs about 26 USD (INR 1900), including all fees and GST. This is significantly lesser compared to the cost of Visa on Arrival, which is 100 USD
You need not show a deposit of 1000 USD in bank statements and credit cards to avail an eNTRI Visa
The eNTRI Visa will be dispatched to you in 48 hours. Whereas, a Visa on arrival presents you with the hassle long queues and cumbersome checks at the immigration counter.
A valid visa for Singapore, Thailand or Indonesia is not required. Neither are you obliged to enter the country through specific entry points.

This is what an eNTRI permit will look like

If an eNTRI permit is better, how do I get it?

You can apply for an eNTRI permit online at the websites blinkvisa.com or windowmalaysia.my

Windowmalaysia.my is the official website by the Malaysian government, it is prone to heavy traffic and frequent crashes. The applications made through the official website are also subject to more stringent checks. Therefore, it is recommended that you apply through the website blinkvisa.com. They have trusted agents and have expertise in securing visas. The website has reliable chat support for any queries you might have and charge a processing fee of only INR 500.

You can apply for an eNTRI visa by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Visit our website for Malaysia Visa from India. Fill the basic details and click on Get Visa to ‘Buy Malaysia visa for INR 1980‘ that you see on Malaysia Visa Page.

Step 2: On the Malaysia visa page you can click on apply for the visa. It is okay if you choose the incorrect ‘visa type‘ now. We will call you later to help you choose the right one.

Step 3: Scroll down to find the Malaysia visa form. Fill this correctly. Our expert will call you and help you with your doubts.

Step 4: Now you will have to make a payment INR 500 to initiate the Malaysia visa process.

The rest amount can be paid once your visa is approved.

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FAQ’s on Malaysia Visa on arrival

1. I’m Indian, do I need a visa to visit Malaysia?

Yes. Indian citizens need a visa to visit Malaysia. However, you can obtain an eNTRI permit under the Visa Waiver Program. With an eNTRI visa, you can stay in Malaysia for 15 days. You need to pay only 1980 rupees to obtain the eNTRI visa.

2. How do I get a Malaysian tourist visa?

You can apply for a Malaysian tourist visa manually through the consulate or the One-Stop Centres (OSC) set up by the Malaysian government in different cities in India. The easier course of action would be to apply for an eVisa. You can log into the website blinkvisa.com to register for an eVisa. The different types of eVisa you can apply for are single entry, multiple entry, and eNTRI visa.

3. Which documents do I need to get an eNTRI Visa?

You need the following documents handy while applying for the eNTRI Visa:

Front and back page photocopy of your passport. The passport needs to have a minimum validity of 6 months

Soft copy of your photograph

Boarding pass

Proof of hotel booking or other accommodations

Birth certificate in case of minor applicants

4. What are the types of Visa for Malaysia?

The visas for Malaysia can be broadly classified into:

Single entry visa
Multiple entry visa
Transit visa
Visa on arrival
eNTRI visa

5. How much do I need to pay for a Visa on Arrival?

The cost of processing a Visa on Arrival is 100 USD. In addition to this, you are required to have a minimum of 1000 USD as a deposit in your bank.

6. I’m a citizen of India, can I apply for Visa on Arrival for Malaysia?

Yes, but only under certain conditions. You can apply for Visa on Arrival if you already have a valid visa for Indonesia, Thailand or Singapore and are entering Malaysia via these countries.

7. Can I work in Malaysia with the Visa on Arrival?

No. It is impossible to work in Malaysia with a Visa on Arrival.

8. Can I convert my Visa on Arrival into a tourist or business visa?

No. It is impossible to convert the Visa on Arrival into any other type of Visa. The visa validity is for 7 days only and cannot be extended either.

9. How much do I need to pay for an eNTRI Visa for Malaysia?

The charges including processing fee and taxes would be as follows:

10. Where can I track my eNTRI Visa application?

You can visit the website windowmalaysia.my to track the status of your application. If applying through blinkvisa.com, you will get a call from the agents updating you about your visa status.

11. How soon will I get my eNTRI Visa for Malaysia?

The eVisa will take about 48 hours to get approved and dispatched to you. This is excluding weekends and public holidays. There might be slight delays due to unforeseen circumstances, but this is unusual.

12. Do I need to get vaccinated to travel to Malaysia?

No. No vaccination for yellow fever or any other disease is required before you travel to Malaysia.

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