If you’re searching for the official UK ETA application portal, here it is: https://uketa.com.my. That’s it. There is no other legitimate place to apply, no separate “Malaysia portal”.
That last part matters more than it sounds like it should. A quick search for “UK ETA application” turns up a handful of lookalike sites charging extra “processing fees” for a service that costs £20 through the real channel. This guide walks you through exactly where to go, how the application works, and what to watch out for so you don’t end up paying more than you need to.
Why This Trips People Up
The UK ETA has been mandatory for Malaysian passport holders since 8 January 2025. Before that, Malaysians could travel to the UK visa-free with no advance paperwork at all, so a lot of frequent travelers are applying for something like this for the first time. If you’re still unsure whether you personally need one, our guide on UK ETA requirements for Malaysian citizens covers who’s affected and who isn’t. Add to that the fact that “ETA” sounds close enough to a dozen other travel authorization schemes (Australia’s ETA, the US ESTA, South Korea’s K-ETA), and it’s easy to land on the wrong site or assume a third-party agency is required.
It isn’t. The application is entirely self-service, entirely online, and doesn’t involve a visa office or an appointment.
What an Official UK ETA Site Actually Looks Like
Before you type in any personal details, check for these:
- The domain is uketa.com.my. The application itself lives at apply-for-an-eta.
- The fee is a fixed £30. For a full breakdown of what’s included in that fee, see our guide on UK ETA costs for Malaysians.
- No demand for documents beyond your passport and a photo. The real application asks for a photo of your passport, a photo of your face, an email address, and a payment method. It doesn’t need your bank statements, proof of accommodation, or a cover letter.
If a site fails any of these checks, close the tab.
What You Need Before You Start
Have these ready so you’re not hunting for them halfway through:
- The passport you’re actually traveling with (the ETA is linked to a specific passport, so use the one you plan to board with)
- A working email address you can check immediately, since a verification code and later your decision arrive by email
- A credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
- About 15-20 minutes without interruptions, since the session can time out if you leave it idle too long
Official UK ETA Portal at a Glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Official URL | application.uketa.com.my, then through to apply-for-an-eta. |
| Cost | £30 per applicant |
| Who it’s for | Anyone applying for themselves, or on behalf of someone who isn’t physically with them |
| Passport step | Upload a clear photo of the passport’s data page |
| Photo step | Upload a photo of your face following the on-screen guidance |
| Payment methods | Credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay |
| Processing time | Usually within a day, up to 3 working days for cases needing review |
| Validity | 2 years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first |
Step-by-Step: How the Application Works
Here’s the general sequence, whether you use the website.
1. Start at the right place. Go to https://uketa.com.my and click through to “Apply for an ETA,” or open the official UK ETA portal.
2. Enter your email and verify it. You’ll receive a short code by email. Enter it to continue. This code usually expires within a few minutes, so check your inbox right away.
3. Provide your passport details. On the website, you’ll upload a clear photo of the same page instead.
4. Take a photo of your face. On the website, you’ll upload a photo instead.
5. Answer a short set of questions. These cover basic background and suitability questions, similar to what you’d expect on any visa-related form.
6. Pay the £30 fee. Use a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. This is the only fee involved if you’re applying directly through the official channel.
7. Wait for your decision. More on timing below.
What Happens After You Apply
Most applicants get a decision by email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) within a day, sometimes much sooner. We advises allowing up to 3 working days for cases that need a closer look, so don’t book anything that assumes an instant answer if you’re applying close to your travel date. If you want a closer look at what affects how quickly a decision comes back, we’ve covered that in our guide to UK ETA processing times for Malaysians.
When you’re approved, the email includes a 16-digit ETA reference number. Keep that email, though you don’t need to print anything: the ETA is linked digitally to your passport, and you’ll only need to show the passport itself when you travel.
If you don’t hear back after 3 working days, check your spam or junk folder first. If it’s genuinely not there, Uk govt. provides a way to contact UKVI directly.
Once you have a decision, you can check your ETA status anytime at uketa.com.my, which tells you whether you have a valid ETA and when it expires. This only works after a decision has been made, so don’t expect it to show anything useful while your application is still pending.
How Long the ETA Lasts
Once approved, your ETA is valid for 2 years, or until your passport expires, whichever happens first. During that time, you can enter the UK as many times as you like, with each visit lasting up to 6 months. It covers tourism, visiting family or friends, business meetings, and short courses of study. It doesn’t cover working for a UK employer or living in the UK through a string of back-to-back short visits. If you’re a frequent visitor, our breakdown of multiple entries under the UK ETA explains how that works in practice.
Applying for Children or Family Members
If you’re applying on behalf of your kids, the process is largely the same, though there are a few extra things worth knowing, covered in our guide to the UK ETA for children traveling from Malaysia. And if cost is part of your planning when applying for the whole family, we’ve broken down what to expect in UK ETA family cost for Malaysians.
FAQ
Is there more than one official UK ETA website? No. The only official channels are uketa.com.my.
Can I apply for my whole family in one go? Each person needs their own individual application and their own £30 fee, even children and infants.
Do I need to print anything once I’m approved? No. Your ETA is linked electronically to your passport. You just need the physical passport itself when you travel.
Can a travel agency apply on my behalf for a fee? Some agencies offer to handle the application for you, and that’s legal, but it isn’t necessary. The application is designed to be completed by the traveler directly, and doing it yourself means paying only the official £30 fee with no markup. If you’re weighing that decision, our comparison of UK ETA processing fees explained lays out what you’re actually paying for either way.
What if my application gets rejected? You’ll be told the reason, and you can apply again. It’s worth understanding the common causes first, which we’ve laid out in our guide to why UK ETA applications get rejected, so you can avoid the same mistake twice.
Applying for your UK ETA doesn’t need to be complicated, and it definitely doesn’t need to cost more than £20. If you’d rather have some guidance while you go through it, the team at UK ETA for Malaysian is here to help you get it right the first time. You can also browse our full UK ETA guide for Malaysians for everything else you might need to know before you travel.
