PETALING JAYA: Following many complaints over the Indian High Commission’s new ruling that required visa applicants to be present, seven more processing centres are set to be opened soon throughout Malaysia.
They are located in Ipoh, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Malacca and Klang as well as Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
These outsourcing centres will complement the three existing ones in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Baru, set up to capture biometric data for Malaysians travelling to India.
A spokesperson of the Indian High Commission to Malaysia said this was done to save people’s time and costs in submitting their visa applications.
The system, which took effect on April 1, is applicable to all heading to India, be it for holidays or business.
Travel agents or other representatives, according to the Indian Visa Application Centre (Ivac), are not allowed to submit applications on behalf of interested travellers.
Submission hours are Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 2pm. For more information, visit www.indiavisa.com.my.
Meanwhile, many were frustrated by the new ruling.
Among them was polio patient A. Saravanan, 61, who had to queue up with others at the Ivac in Lebuh Pasar Besar, Kuala Lumpur, unlike previously when he only submitted his application to the tour agent.
“I understand the need for the new regulations for security purposes, but the lack of express service for senior citizens and the disabled at the centre is disappointing,” he said.
Checks by The Star showed that over 50 people were queuing outside the Ivac premises from as early as 6am yesterday.
The Malaysian Indian Tour and Travel Association has asked MIC to intervene over the inconvenience caused by the new system.
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