Did you know that Malaysian travellers can visit up to 181 countries visa-free? Despite this, many countries are now introducing the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system for foreigners hoping to visit. In this blog, we’ll share 5 of the most important visa updates and ETA requirements that you must know before travelling in 2025.
How is an ETA different from a visa?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, let’s talk about how the ETA differs from a visa. Unlike the latter, ETAs are typically known as digital travel permits for travellers hoping to visit a country for short stays. This is applicable for holidays, short work trips, or visiting friends and family living in a different country. ETA submissions are usually easier to complete either via official embassy websites or independent apps and cost less to apply.
Why should I be concerned about visa updates and requirements?
For many, staying informed of visa updates and requirements may be the last thing on their mind when booking a holiday. However, some countries like Australia may have strict ETA and visa requirements that can hinder your visit. This is why it’s always best to be aware of any visa updates and the requirements for respective countries.
How can I make my visa and ETA applications much smoother?
With this in mind, how can you make your visa and ETA applications smoother? We recommend finding out if the country you’re visiting requires a visa to enter or if an ETA is sufficient. In fact, the Malaysian passport actually ranks 11th on the Henley Passport Index 2025, thanks to our foreign relations with many countries worldwide. So, it’s always likely that you wouldn’t need a visa unless you are travelling on special terms.
Knowing that you may need a visa or ETA, it’s always best to submit an application ahead of time. If necessary, you may even want to apply for your visa or ETA before purchasing your air tickets, as this will ensure your travel can go ahead. It’s worth noting that ETAs are never meant as visa replacements and should not be treated as such.
Separately, it’s also best to keep all your travel documents and information on hand when going through immigration to help smooth the process. This will also help when visiting countries that don’t require a visa or ETA. Details such as the address of your hotel or homestay and your return flight tickets should always be available on hand. If you’re planning on travelling elsewhere before flying home to Malaysia, it’s also good to have the flight ticket for your following destination on hand.
Our tip to avoid stressing out with internet issues when you land is to print this information before you fly or keep a copy offline on your phone.
Here are the visa updates and requirements you must know before entering the following countries or continents.
Australia
Australia’s Electronic Travel Authority program is one of the most comprehensive on our list. To keep things simple, here are some of the key details you must know when you wish to visit Australia.
Australia’s ETA allows Malaysian travellers to stay up to 3 months per visit and has a validity of 1 year or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. As the document is tied to your passport, you must re-apply for a new ETA if you have a new passport, even if your previous ETA has not expired.
If you’re travelling as a family or with friends, you’ll have to ensure that everyone from your group has their own ETA application. Combining ETAs with spouses, parents, siblings, or children under your custody is not allowed. Subsequently, the ETA should only be used if you’re visiting Australia on vacation or on a business trip. It’s not a replacement for a work or study visa, which requires separate applications from an ETA.
Aside from filling in your details during your ETA application, you must also meet character and health requirements. If necessary, you may be required to undergo health checkups or submit documentation of police reports in case of any run-ins with the law.
You can only apply for the Australian ETA via their app, available for download on Apple or Google Play Store. We recommend only downloading your app from the official app stores to avoid scams or malware. It costs AUD 20 to use the ETA app, but there are no Visa Application Charges (VAC) when applying for your ETA. Do note that this is not refundable.
It’s also important to know that an ETA is required if you’re on a cruise entering Australia. You can get more visa updates via the Australian High Commission website here.
Why you’ll want to visit Australia in 2025: Despite a stringent ETA process to enter Australia, the country still offers many fun activities you cannot miss for the year. Happening in the last week of May is the Vivid Sydney festival which is returning for its 15th year, while avid marathoners will find the Sydney Marathon a must-attend event for the year. For more ideas on what to do in Australia, check out our list of exciting things to do in Sydney in 2025.
Europe
Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash
Bearing a much longer name than the rest, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System or ETIAS is Europe’s very own Electronic Travel Authority system. While it’s not yet put in place, much has been discussed for the European borders to put ETIAS in effect in the second half of 2025. For the latest updates, stay tuned to the official ETIAS website. Nevertheless, here’s what we know about this system that you should be aware of.
For starters, anyone hoping to visit any of the European destinations we’ve listed below will be required to apply for an ETIAS before travelling.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Every ETIAS document is valid for 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Your application allows you to stay for up to 90 days from the day you enter your first European country. There is a €7 (approximately RM32) fee when applying for this authorization, although it’s also free for travellers below 18 or over 70.
Similar to other ETA systems, everyone from your travel group must have their own approved ETIAS application, including children, babies, and elderly who are travelling with you. However, ETIAS has made it easier if you wish to apply on behalf of someone else – helpful for parents who want to apply for children under their custody or elderly parents who may not be tech-savvy. All you’ll have to do is fill in a form of authority when making an application.
Photo by Sail.nl
Why should Europe be on your travel list for 2025: Aside from strolls down Europe’s beautiful cobblestone streets, you’ll find a range of exciting and exclusive activities happening in some countries this year. For example, the Netherlands will welcome the SAIL Amsterdam event once more in August. This unique maritime event that welcomes ships from all over the world to the Dutch harbour only happens once every 5 years, with the 2020 edition being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
United Kingdom
Photo by Marcin Nowak on Unsplash
As of the 8th of January 2025, Malaysians hoping to enter the United Kingdom are required to apply for an ETA. It costs £10 (approximately RM55) for every application, and this fee is not refundable. If you’re travelling as a group, it’s important to remember that the ETA cannot be shared and everyone must have their personal authorization document – including children and babies under your custody.
The ETA is valid for 2 years upon approval and allows you to stay within the United Kingdom for up to 6 months for every visit. While ETAs are typically reserved for travellers heading to their destinations for a vacation, it’s key to know that you’ll also need it if you’re transiting on the landside of the United Kingdom. This is especially true for anyone with long layovers who wants to pop into the city for less than 24 hours, as you’ll have to access border control. An ETA is not required if you’re transiting between airport terminals.
Applications for the ETA can be done through the official app that you can download via the App Store or the Google Play Store. Alternatively, you can apply for your ETA through the official website but note that you must complete your application in a single go. There is a 20-minute timeout limit to the website, and your progress is not saved. This means that if you don’t manage to complete everything within the time frame, you’ll have to start over when submitting your details.
We recommend having your required documents on hand before you start. These include a picture copy of your passport that you can upload online and a credit or debit card authorized for online payments to complete your application.
Reasons why you’ll want to visit the United Kingdom in 2025: Beyond visiting breathtaking sights such as Stonehenge in Bath or Castle Rock in Edinburgh, the United Kingdom has much to offer visitors this year. For starters, locomotive fans will want to partake in the Railway 200 event that celebrates the birth of Britain’s modern railway and nationwide celebrations are set to welcome visitors of all ages. Literary lovers will also want to make their way to Bath and Hampshire, where they’re celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
Japan
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Hoping to visit Japan but unsure of any visa updates and requirements? Thankfully, Malaysians hoping to visit Japan are welcome to enter the country visa-free if you’re here on a short stay. This means you cannot remain in Japan for more than 90 days without a visa, and you must hold a biometric passport that is compliant with the ICAO standard. Most passports that were issued in Malaysia have been held to this standard since 2010, so if you’ve renewed your passport recently, then it’s likely that you won’t encounter any problems.
Japan has yet to place an ETA system in their immigration process, although this has been a point of discussion within the Japanese government. It may not be until the year 2030 that this will come into effect, so if you’re looking to visit Japan, then you’ll want to hurry!
Photo by Crystal Kay on Unsplash
Should you visit Japan in 2025? Our answer is a definite yes. With cherry blossom season coming up soon, visitors who have yet to set foot in Japan should take this opportunity to enjoy the country and take in the sights alongside locals. Japan’s oldest fireworks festival, the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival is also a must-see for pyrotechnic enthusiasts. This grand display can be enjoyed from anywhere around Asakusa in Tokyo.
Korea
Photo by Ji Seongkwang on Unsplash
Introduced in 2021, the Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) is a requirement for travellers aged 18 to 64 visiting Korea. Unlike other countries, visitors aged 17 and under or 64 and over will only need a valid passport to enter.
The K-ETA is valid for longer than most ETAs, as you can continue to use it for 3 years after applying. Each stay should last for no longer than 3 months, and you cannot work in Korea with this ETA.
Although K-ETA applications are usually processed in 72 hours, we recommend doing it ahead of time in case of complications. Similar to most ETA applications, you can apply for the K-ETA through the official website. Every application will set you back ₩10,000 (approximately RM35).
Finally, all you’ll need is a valid passport, an accessible e-mail address, and a passport-style photo. Do be aware that your forehead and chin must be clearly visible in this picture. For our Muslim guests, headscarves are permitted in your picture but they should be in a contrasting colour against the clean, white background requirement.
Photo by Insomniac Events
What to look forward to in Korea in 2025: Following a 5-year hiatus, the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) is returning to Incheon, Korea in April. Headlined by big names like Skrillex, Steve Aoki, and Martin Garrix, this unmissable music festival for EDM fans is reason enough to book your travel to Korea immediately.
Don’t want to go through the hassle of handling your ETA and visa applications? Leave it to our holiday advisors, and all you’ll have to do is get ready to travel. Reach out to us today.