UK enforces travel permit requirement on foreign visitors including from Singapore and Malaysia
People arrive at London Heathrow Terminal 3 in London, U.K., on Aug. 22, 2023. Photo by Reuters
Starting on Feb. 25, visitors to Britain from 85 countries including Singapore and Malaysia must obtain an electronic permit in advance of their trip or they will be barred from travelling, the British Interior Ministry said.
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme requires all visitors who do not need a visa to enter Britain to purchase a pre-travel permit online at a cost of £16 (US$21.63).
It was introduced in 2023 and extended to European visitors in April 2025, but has not been strictly enforced.
However, from Feb. 25, it will be mandatory for visitors to Britain to have obtained an ETA to travel.
This means that airlines will prevent passengers from boarding if they do not have an ETA, e-visa, or other valid documentation, the Interior Ministry said.
British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, as well as those with the right to live in Britain, are exempt from needing an ETA.
“The ETA scheme is a vital part of our work to strengthen the U.K.’s border security, helping to deliver a more efficient and modern service that works for both visitors and the British public,” Migration Minister Mike Tapp said.
In October 2025, the European Union began rolling out its much-delayed post-Brexit border security checks for British nationals entering the bloc. Britain formally left the EU in 2020.
The EU’s Entry/Exit System removes the requirement to manually stamp passports at the EU’s external borders and instead creates digital records.
However, travelers have complained that the new system’s introduction has caused delays at some airports, and industry leaders have expressed concern that full implementation at Easter could cause widespread disruption.
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