In good news for Chinese and Indian nationals currently residing in Australia and planning travel to Malaysia, the Malaysian Government has recently announced it has extended its successful eVisa programme to Oceania-based People’s Republic of China and Republic of India passport holders as of 1 November 2016.

The eVisa programme was first introduced by the Malaysian Government in January 2016 for tourists travelling to Malaysia from the People’s Republic of China. The implementation of the eVisa system has been carried out in three phases, starting with Chinese nationals residing in Mainland China, the second phase taking in Chinese nationals residing outside Mainland China, and the final phase incorporating other countries such as India. The programme will be extended in 2017 to include more nationalities.

The conditions of the eVisa are very straightforward. The eVisa is a single entry visa applicable for the purpose of travelling and tourism in Malaysia, for a maximum stay length of 30 days. eVisas are only valid for three months from the date of approval and applicants have to enter Malaysia before the visa ends. Tourism Malaysia Sydney Director, Roslan Abdullah, also suggests applicants should apply for a eVisa at least two weeks before the proposed travel date just in case. Other types of visas will still need to be applied for in person at any of the Malaysian Representative Offices in each host country.

Any Chinese and Indian tourists residing in Australia and wanting to travel to Malaysia should visit the only official website for Malaysian eVisa applications. Online applications will incur a small processing fee, as well as the visa fee itself. Applicants will be alerted via email about their eVisa approval within 24 hours during week days. Applicants will also need to self-print their eVisa and bring it with them when travelling to Malaysia.