Malaysians travelling to UK need electronic travel authorisation from Jan 8

 

The UK’s electronic travel authorisation is a digital permission to travel to the UK for visitors who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling. (AP pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Malaysians travelling to, or transiting via, the UK from Jan 8 next year will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), said the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

In a statement, the British High Commission described an ETA as a digital permission to travel to the UK for visitors who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling.

It said ETAs had been introduced to a few countries in stages since November 2023, and the UK was now rolling out ETAs to the rest of the world, including Malaysia.

An ETA costs 10 pounds (RM57) and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over a period of two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. 

The introduction of the ETA is in line with the approach many other countries (like the US and Australia) have already taken to strengthen border security,

 said the high commission.

It will contribute towards delivering a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year.

The high commission stressed that an ETA was not a UK visa, adding that Malaysians who were going to live in the UK for over six months – such as for work or studies – were still required to apply for a relevant visa.

Individuals with a valid UK visa do not need an ETA.

Malaysian travellers can apply in advance for an ETA from Nov 27 onwards.

The high commission said the easiest way to apply for an ETA was through the UK ETA app.

Applications can also be made on the UK government’s website if they do not have access to a smartphone.

Applicants will get the result of their application within three working days but may get it sooner if they use the UK ETA app.

All applications are managed by UK Visas & Immigration, and the British High Commission is not involved in the application and approval process, it added. - FMT