If you’ve been planning to travel to South Africa, Malaysia or the United Kingdom, you need to be aware of the changes made in the visa structure for travelers by the respective countries. There is good news mostly, especially from Malaysia that has now opened e-visa for Indian travelers. Here’s what you need to know about the new visa rules.
Malaysia
Starting with the best news, Malaysia has now opened its borders to Indians through the e-visa route. The e-visa will take 24 working hours to process too so the speed of delivery is to be commended as well. To be eligible for the visa you will need your passport with nine months validity and will also need to upload a picture of yourself. Most countries have a requirement of six months validity for the passport while the picture’s exact requirements are a bit fuzzy at the moment.
Please be clear to check both these documents properly before applying. In addition, you will also need your return flight ticket details to book. If you’re travelling with a child, his or her birth certificate will also be needed. Once processed, the visa will be valid for three months and can be used to visit Malaysia for 30 days with a single entry visa.
Apply here for your Malaysia e-visa.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has introduced biometric details to be filled from the comfort of your home. VFS Services, which handles visas for UK and other European countries, has begun the facility for Indians who wish to travel to the UK. On the other hand, the tourist fee for a single visit has been hiked by 2 pounds to 87 pounds. The home service, called ‘On Demand Mobile Visa’ is charged extra of course but for people travelling in large groups or those who cannot take off from work to spend a day queuing for visas, this can be a handy option.
Currently, the service charge is 750 pounds for a group of 10 people over and above the visa fees with each extra visitor being charged 75 pounds for the service. The service is yet to be rolled out for individual travelers but is scheduled to begin soon.
South Africa
Visa requirements for South Africa have yo-yoed wildly since the year began. First, Indian travelers were asked to submit biometric proof before travelling but that was later revoked. Now, a confirmed letter from the hotel in South Africa has been added to the clause but travel operators are fighting the problem by saying that the infrastructure hasn’t developed to support the clause.
Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom, however, seems to realise that strict visa rules are not the way forward and is specifically looking to increase tourism from Indian and Chinese travelers. It has also announced opening of four more visa application centres across the country this year. While the problems are confusing, there is clearly one great incentive to travel to South Africa now – its depreciating currency rand that has tumbled over the past year to such an extent that you can now afford that great safari in South Africa without breaking the bank.
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