Entry terms

What an e-Visa is and how to apply

Your destination asks for an e-Visa, and you want to apply on the right website.

An e-Visa is a visa you apply for online and receive as an electronic approval before you travel. You do not queue at an embassy, but you still must apply on time.

How will you meet it on the trip?

You will meet it when a destination page says “apply online before arrival”. India is one example. Malaysians apply for the Indian e-Tourist visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html², and the Malaysian High Commission lists a 30-day e-Tourist visa with double entry, free of charge until 31 December 2026¹.

Sri Lanka is another. Malaysian MOFA states that Malaysians must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization before arriving, and the visa is free of charge³. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you fly.

A tip for avoiding look-alike sites

Begin at the government page and follow its link. If a site charges a service fee for the same form, you are probably on an agent page. Our guide on checking a Malaysian travel agency licence helps when an agent handles the application for you.

Visa on arrival is the other common entry route. For the full picture of a first trip, read choosing a first overseas holiday. More terms are in the halal labels and evidence hub.

If your route passes through more than one country and you are unsure which need an e-Visa, send us the route and we will help you list what to check.

Ask about your route

Common questions

Is an e-Visa the same as visa on arrival?

No. You apply for an e-Visa online and receive approval before you fly. A visa on arrival is issued at the airport or border after you land. Check which one your destination uses, because turning up without the approval can mean being refused boarding or entry.

How do I know the website is the real one?

Start from your government's foreign ministry page or the destination's official immigration page, then follow its link. Be careful with sites that look official but add fees for the same form. Compare the web address with the one the official page gives.

Do I need to print the e-Visa approval?

Bring a copy, on paper or saved on your phone, because airline staff and immigration officers may ask to see it. Check that the name and passport number match your passport exactly. A spelling error is easier to fix before you leave than at the airport.

Sources

Malaysian nationals are granted a 30-day e-Tourist visa with double entry free of charge, with the no-fee offer running until 31 December 2026. Malaysian High Commission, New Delhi (kln.gov.my) (accessed 2026-10-19)
Malaysians apply for the Indian e-Tourist visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Malaysian High Commission, New Delhi (kln.gov.my) (accessed 2026-10-19)
Malaysian MOFA states Malaysians must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka, and the visa is free of charge. Malaysian MOFA (KLN) (accessed 2026-10-19)

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