If you are planning a trip to India soon, do remember to allocate more money in your travel budget for the tourist visa! That’s because the charges in tourist visas are expected to increase significantly starting July 1.
Source: The Star
Based on a report by The Star, India’s eVisa, which has a validity period of four months, has previously increased from RM200 to RM320. This higher pricing has been implemented since June 25. As if this eVisa’s increase is not enough, it was reported that the price for over-the-counter visas have also risen markedly to RM462.56 and will be valid for one year. That price excludes service charges too!
Previously, there was a six-month visa that was priced at RM194.56 but this has been discontinued. The new over-the-counter visa pricing will be effective from July 1 onwards. The decision to raise prices of these tourist visas to India has left many Malaysians feeling disgruntled as they think that the prices are too high.
Source: WORLD OF BUZZ
Netizens voiced out their dissatisfaction on social media with most of them grumbling about the prices saying that it was ridiculously expensive compared to other countries. Some of them said that they were interested to travel to India but after seeing these high prices, they would change their mind.
Source: The Star
Gopalan Mariappan, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) exco member for the India market has also complained about the expensive price and said that this will discourage Malaysians from planning a trip to India. Even a tourist visa to Australia is way cheaper than that!
“The abolishment 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. 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 said.
Herritage G Tour Agency director S. Gokilan said travellers were calling his agency and complaining about the prices as it made it even more expensive to travel to India. “This will greatly affect Malaysian Indians who travel back to India for religious pilgrimage or to see family. They say the visa fees are almost similar to the price of a flight ticket. People are not happy,” he said.
What do you think of the new visa prices?
Also read: Malaysians Can Travel to ‘Asia’s Hawaii’ Visa-Free Starting May 1!
