You have two passports. You want to go to the UK. Now you’re staring at the UK ETA application and wondering: which passport do I use?
This is one of the most common questions Malaysians with dual citizenship ask. And it’s a fair one, because the answer depends on which second passport you hold.
This guide will walk you through every scenario clearly. No legal jargon. No guessing.
Quick Answer: It Depends on Your Second Passport
Here’s the short version before we go into detail.
| Your second passport | Do you need a UK ETA? | Which passport to use? |
|---|---|---|
| British passport | No | Use your British passport. No ETA needed. |
| Irish passport | No | Use your Irish passport. No ETA needed. |
| BN(O) passport | Yes | Apply for ETA using your BN(O) passport. |
| Australian, Canadian, NZ, or other visa-exempt passport | Yes | Apply for ETA using that passport. Enter UK on that passport. |
| Passport that requires a UK visa (e.g., Pakistani) | No ETA | You need a UK Standard Visitor Visa instead. |
Read on for the full explanation for your situation.
Scenario 1: You Have a Malaysian Passport and a British Passport
This is the simplest case.
British citizens do not need a UK ETA. This includes dual nationals. If you hold a valid British passport, you are exempt from the ETA requirement entirely.
You should enter the UK using your British passport. That’s it.
Important change from February 2026: Airlines now have to check that you have permission to enter the UK before you board. If you try to board using only your Malaysian passport (without showing your British passport), the airline may not be able to confirm your right of entry. They could refuse to let you on the plane.
So if you’re a British-Malaysian dual citizen, always travel with your British passport. Show it at check-in. Use it at UK border control.
If your British passport has expired or you haven’t received it yet, read the section on certificates of entitlement below.
Scenario 2: You Have a Malaysian Passport and an Irish Passport
Same as above. Irish citizens are also exempt from the UK ETA.
You do not need to apply for an ETA. Travel on your Irish passport.
Scenario 3: You Hold a British National (Overseas) — BN(O) — Passport
This is where many people get confused.
A BN(O) passport is not the same as British citizenship. It is a different status, and it does not exempt you from the UK ETA.
If you travel to the UK using your BN(O) passport, you do need a UK ETA. Apply for the ETA using your BN(O) passport details. You will then enter the UK on that same BN(O) passport.
This surprises a lot of people. The word “British” is right there in the name. But BN(O) is a special status that was created for Hong Kong residents before 1997. It gives you the right to visit the UK, but it does not give you full British citizenship or the right to live there permanently (unless you apply separately under the BN(O) Visa route).
So: BN(O) passport holder = you need an ETA. Apply on your BN(O) passport.
Scenario 4: You Have a Malaysian Passport and Another Visa-Exempt Passport (Australian, Canadian, etc.)
This is the most common situation for Malaysians born abroad or who naturalised in another country.
Say you were born in Australia. You have an Australian passport and a Malaysian passport. Both countries allow visa-free travel to a long list of countries, including the UK (with an ETA).
Here’s what you need to know:
You apply for the UK ETA using the passport you plan to show at the UK border.
If you apply for the ETA on your Australian passport, you must check in for your flight and enter the UK using your Australian passport. The ETA is linked to your passport number. If you show up at the airport with a different passport, the airline’s system won’t find a valid ETA for you.
Pick one passport. Apply the ETA to that passport. Stick with that passport for the entire trip.
Most people in this situation find it easier to just use one passport end-to-end. Decide before you apply.
Want to start your UK ETA application? You can apply through uketa.com.my with a step-by-step review to catch common errors before submission.
Scenario 5: Your Second Passport Requires a UK Visa
Some countries’ passport holders still need a full UK visa — not just an ETA.
For example, if you hold a Pakistani or Indian passport in addition to your Malaysian passport, and you want to travel on that second passport, you would need a UK Standard Visitor Visa for that document.
In this case, you have two options:
- Apply for the UK ETA using your Malaysian passport instead (since Malaysians are on the visa-exempt list and can use an ETA).
- Apply for a UK Standard Visitor Visa on your second passport.
Option 1 is almost always simpler. Use your Malaysian passport. Apply for the ETA on that. Enter the UK with your Malaysian passport.
Not sure which document category you fall under? Check the UK ETA vs UK Visa comparison page for a clear breakdown.
What Happens When Your ETA Passport Expires?
The UK ETA is linked to a specific passport number.
If you renew your passport — whether that’s your Malaysian passport or your Australian one — your old ETA becomes invalid. It doesn’t carry over to your new passport automatically.
You have to apply for a new ETA on your new passport before you travel again.
This catches people off guard. You might have an ETA that says it’s valid until 2027, but if your passport expired last month and you got a new one, that ETA is no longer usable. The ETA is tied to the old passport number, not to you as a person.
So after renewing any passport linked to a UK ETA, apply for a new ETA right away. Don’t wait until you’re about to fly.
You can read more about how passport validity affects your ETA on the UK ETA passport validity guide.
Does Malaysia’s Dual Citizenship Policy Affect Your UK ETA Application?
This is a question that comes up a lot, and it’s worth addressing honestly.
Malaysia’s Federal Constitution does not officially recognise dual citizenship. Under Articles 24(1) and 24(2), a Malaysian who voluntarily applies for and uses a foreign passport could, in theory, lose their Malaysian citizenship.
However, the UK ETA application does not ask you to disclose other citizenships. There is no field in the application that says “do you hold any other passports?” You apply on one passport. UKVI reviews that passport.
So from the UK side, your dual citizenship does not affect your ETA application at all.
The Malaysian side is a separate matter. If you’re unsure about your specific situation — for example, whether your second citizenship was acquired voluntarily or by operation of law (such as being born abroad to a foreign parent) — you should check with Malaysia’s National Registration Department (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara, or JPN) directly. This article cannot give you legal advice on Malaysian citizenship law.
What we can say: many Malaysians hold second passports and travel internationally without issue. The concern is real but often depends on the specific circumstances of how the second citizenship was acquired.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the errors that cause the most problems for dual-passport holders.
Using the wrong passport at check-in. You applied for your ETA on your Australian passport but you check in with your Malaysian passport. The airline sees no valid ETA and may refuse boarding. Always use the same passport for the ETA application and for travel.
Thinking a BN(O) passport is the same as a British passport. It is not. BN(O) holders must apply for a UK ETA. Do not skip this step.
Not reapplying after a passport renewal. A new passport means a new passport number. Your old ETA no longer works.
Applying for an ETA if you hold a valid British or Irish passport. You do not need one. British and Irish passport holders are exempt. Applying for an ETA when you don’t need one is a waste of money and could create confusion.
Not having your British passport ready at check-in. From February 2026, airlines must verify your permission to travel before boarding. If you rely on your British citizenship to skip the ETA, you need to actually show your British passport to the airline.
For a full list of application mistakes, see the UK ETA rejection guide for Malaysians.
What Is a Certificate of Entitlement?
If you have British citizenship but your British passport has expired (or you haven’t received your new one yet), you have another option.
A Certificate of Entitlement (CofE) confirms your right of abode in the UK. It is linked to your foreign passport — in this case, your Malaysian or other passport. You show this to the airline and at the UK border.
As of February 2026, Certificates of Entitlement are issued in digital form. They are linked to your UKVI account.
This is useful in one specific situation: your British passport is expired, you’re waiting for your renewal, and you need to travel soon. A CofE lets you travel on your foreign passport while still proving your British citizenship status.
That said, for most people, renewing your British passport is simpler and less time-consuming than applying for a CofE. Processing times for the certificate can take several weeks.
Which Passport Should You Put on Your Flight Booking?
This is practical advice that most guides skip.
Book your flight using the same passport you’re going to use at the airport. Airlines tie your booking to a passport number. If you show up with a different passport than the one on your booking, you may face delays at check-in even if your ETA is valid.
If you’re entering the UK on your Malaysian passport (with an ETA), book your flight using your Malaysian passport details.
If you’re entering on your Australian passport (with an ETA linked to that), book the flight with your Australian passport details.
Keep it consistent from booking to boarding to border control.
How to Apply for a UK ETA with a Malaysian Passport
If your situation is straightforward — you have a Malaysian passport, no British or Irish citizenship, and you need an ETA — the process is simple.
You’ll need:
- A valid Malaysian biometric passport (with a chip)
- An email address for confirmation
- A payment method (credit or debit card)
The ETA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. It allows multiple trips to the UK, with each stay up to 6 months.
To see what the full application process looks like, check the step-by-step UK ETA application guide.
For help with processing times, see the UK ETA processing time page, and for a breakdown of costs, visit the UK ETA fees explained page.
If you want help applying with an error check before submission, uketa.com.my provides a guided application service for Malaysians.
Summary
Two passports does not have to mean double the confusion. Here’s what matters:
- British or Irish passport? No ETA needed. Travel on that passport.
- BN(O) passport? You need an ETA. Apply on your BN(O) passport.
- Second non-British visa-exempt passport (Australian, Canadian, etc.)? Apply for the ETA on the passport you’ll use at the UK border. Be consistent throughout.
- Second passport that needs a UK visa? Use your Malaysian passport and apply for an ETA on that instead.
- Always reapply for a new ETA if the passport it’s linked to has been renewed.
If you have a straightforward Malaysian passport and need to apply, start your UK ETA application at uketa.com.my.
