PETALING JAYA: Malaysians travelling to the United Kingdom do not require the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) yet, says a British High Commission spokesman.
He said the ETA is presently being rolled out in stages, starting with Qatar in November this year and to be followed by other Gulf countries in February next year.
“The UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) at the UK Home Office, which handles all matters relating to UK visas, will announce the implementation date for the rest of the world in due course.
“Until then, travellers from Malaysia do not require an ETA to travel to the UK,” the spokesman said when contacted yesterday.
The British High Commission said that while the ETA is not a visa, it is electronically linked with one’s passport and is valid for multiple visits during a two-year validity period.
“Similar schemes to boost border security have already been introduced by the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand,” it added.
Presently, Malaysians do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom for a period of up to six months for tourism purposes.
It costs £10 (RM58.50) per applicant for an ETA.
According to the UK government website, the ETA will be required for people who go to the United Kingdom for up to six months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study, or for up three months for temporary work under the Creative Worker visa concession.
It will also be required for those transiting through the United Kingdom if they are not going through the UK border control.
The ETA to United Kingdom came in the wake of European Union (EU) countries requiring visitors to obtain an online document known as ETIAS or the European Travel Information and Authorisation System before entering any EU countries or Schengen member countries.
