Malaysians will need advance permission to visit UK

Malaysians will need advance permission to visit UK — here’s what changes in 2026

Starting 25 February 2026, visitors from visa-exempt countries — including Malaysia — will no longer be able to travel to the United Kingdom unless they obtain a valid digital travel permit in advance. GOV.UK+2WeirdKaya+2

The new permit is called Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA is not a visa — it’s a short-stay travel permit for tourism, family visits, short business trips, or transits. euronews+2DavidsonMorris | Solicitors+2

Having an ETA doesn’t guarantee entry. On arrival in the UK, standard immigration rules still apply; ETA merely gives you permission to travel. DavidsonMorris | Solicitors+1

Table of Contents

What Malaysians need to know

Who needs ETA: All Malaysians travelling to UK without a long-term visa (i.e. short-stay or transit travellers) must apply for ETA. Varnam Malaysia+2euronews+2
How to apply: Application is online via the official UK ETA app or website. DavidsonMorris | Solicitors+1
Cost & Duration: ETA costs about £16 (≈ RM 88). Once approved, it typically lasts up to two years or until the passport expires — whichever is earlier. Varnam Malaysia+1
Validity per Trip: With ETA, each stay — whether tourism, business, or short visit — is limited to a maximum of six months per entry. KLProperty.cc+1
When it starts: Enforcement begins 25 February 2026. Travellers without ETA by then will be denied boarding or entry. GOV.UK+2wired-gov.net+2

Why UK introduced ETA — what changes

The move to ETA is part of the UK government’s plan to digitalise immigration, aiming for a more streamlined and secure border system. euronews+2DavidsonMorris | Solicitors+2
ETA helps authorities pre-screen travellers before they travel — giving UK more control over who enters. GOV.UK+2DavidsonMorris | Solicitors+2
For travellers, ETA should make short-trip travel smoother: once approved, permit covers multiple entries (within validity period), avoiding repeated long visa processes. aopa.co.uk+1

What this means if you plan to travel from Malaysia

If you’re Malaysian and thinking of travelling to the UK (tourism, family visit, business, transit) — don’t book flights until your ETA is approved. Airlines will check before boarding. WeirdKaya+1

Apply at least a few days ahead of travel — though many ETA applications are approved within minutes, the UK government recommends allowing up to three working days in case extra checks are needed. DavidsonMorris | Solicitors+1

Double-check that your passport is valid for the duration of ETA’s validity; if you renew your passport, you’ll likely need a new ETA. DavidsonMorris | Solicitors+1

Bottom line

From February 2026 onwards: no ETA, no travel. If you’re Malaysian and plan to visit or transit through the UK, get your ETA sorted early. The scheme isn’t a visa — but it’s now a must-have travel permission.