PETALING JAYA: Malaysians travelling to or transiting through the United Kingdom will be required to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) starting Jan 8, 2025.

The British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur announced that ETAs would be mandatory for all foreign visitors, including children, who do not currently need a visa for short stays.

The ETA requirement, which is not a UK visa but a digital permission to travel to the United Kingdom, will also include those who do not already have UK immigration status.

“Malaysians who are going to live in the United Kingdom for over six months, either for study or work, are still required to apply for a relevant visa; but individuals with a valid UK visa do not need an ETA.

“This is in line with the approach many other countries, like the United States and Australia, have already taken to strengthen border security.

“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 said in a press release on Wednesday (Sep 11).

It said each ETA will cost £10 (RM56.64) and permits multiple journeys to the United Kingdom for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires.

Malaysians can begin applying in advance from Nov 27, 2024 onwards either through the “UK ETA app” or through the UK government’s website www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.

The High Commission also noted that ETA applications would be managed by the UK Visas & Immigration department and not by the High Commission itself.