ETA required
Malaysians need a UK ETA
ETA required for travel from 8 January 2025
Malaysia is listed on Appendix ETA National List, unlike several nearby ASEAN states that still need a visitor visa. That is why a Malaysian passport uses the £20 ETA, while an Indonesian or Thai passport uses the visa route. Do not let an agent sell you a Standard Visitor visa if you only need an ETA — and do not try the ETA app with a non-Malaysian passport. Dual Malaysian–British citizens should use the British passport. Apply on GOV.UK or the UK ETA app only.
Malaysian travel facts
| Passport | Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Roll-out | ETA required for travel from 8 January 2025 |
| What you need | UK ETA (£20) |
| Stay | Usually up to 6 months as a visitor |
| Work | Not allowed on visit permission |
| Landside transit | ETA required if you pass UK border control |
Mistakes malaysians make
- Paying VFS for a visitor visa you do not need as a Malaysian visitor.
- Using a Singaporean friend’s invitation as if it changed your nationality. It does not.
London notes for Malaysian arrivals
Direct KUL–Heathrow flights (Malaysia Airlines) arrive T4. Take Elizabeth line to Farringdon for City hotels. If you stay in Zone 1–2 a few days, contactless capping beats buying a 7-day Travelcard.
FAQs
- Why can Malaysians use ETA but Indonesians cannot?
- The Home Office list is by nationality. Malaysia is on Appendix ETA; Indonesia is not. Confirm on GOV.UK if your passport changes.
- Can I job-hunt in London on an ETA?
- You can visit. You cannot work. Interviews that amount to work for a UK employer are not what an ETA is for.
Other passports
Bodhixt is not affiliated with UKVI. Confirm on GOV.UK before you book. Apply via https://www.gov.uk/eta only.