One of the more popular destinations in Europe for Singapore-based travellers is undoubtedly the United Kingdom, especially London which boasts by far the highest non-stop seat capacity from Changi Airport of any city on the continent.

Indeed Singapore Airlines will be operating a record 40 weekly non-stop flights to and from the UK next summer, including twice-daily flagship Airbus A380 service.

Since mid-November 2023, the UK started to tighten its border regime with the introduction of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for non-visa foreign nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

However, that was just the initial rollout of a wider long-term scheme.

It has now been announced that Singapore citizens, along with those holding 48 other nationalities, will also need to apply for ETA before travelling to the UK, for arrivals from 8th January 2025 onwards.

Applications for a UK ETA for Singapore citizens will open on 27th November 2024, and every traveller including babies and infants will need to obtain one ahead of their departure, at a cost of GBP10 (~S$17) per person.

Aside from Singaporeans, those with passports issued in Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the USA will also require an ETA from the same date.

The ETA will apply only to visitors who can currently travel visa-free to the UK. Those who require a visa will still need to submit an application in advance.

What’s changing?

Currently, Singapore citizens can travel to the UK visa-free for up to six months at a time, as part of a reciprocal agreement between the two countries, without the need to submit any documentation or apply for a visa, provided they are travelling as tourists, visiting friends and family, or on a business trip.

While this benefit will continue once the ETA is in force for Singaporeans, there will be some additional requirements including application and payment of a fee to travel from early 2025, once these changes take effect.

Singaporeans are not having their visa-free travel status to the UK removed as part of these changes.

The new UK ETA is merely a travel authorisation, issued to those already eligible to enter the UK visa-free, including Singapore citizens travelling for tourism visits or business trips.

It’s also important to remember that:

• where you start your journey to the UK is irrelevant – only your nationality affects the requirement for an ETA.
• how you enter the UK is irrelevant – whether by air, boat or train, an ETA is required.

What’s not changing?

British and Irish citizens and individuals who hold a valid UK immigration permission (including some Singaporeans), like an employment visa or long-term study visa, will not be required to apply for an ETA before travelling.

The UK and Ireland are part of a Common Travel Area (CTA). The British and Irish authorities share immigration intelligence, so it is neither feasible nor necessary for their respective citizens to obtain an ETA before entering the UK.

British and Irish nationals do not need a passport to travel between their two countries, however those with other nationalities, including Singaporeans, do need to show a passport for UK – Ireland travel.

Nationals of most European countries will not need an ETA to travel to the UK, until 2nd April 2025. Those citizens can apply from 5th March 2025 onwards.

Why is the ETA being introduced?

The UK Home Office states that one reason for introducing ETAs is the limited information border authorities currently have on visitors and the potential risks they may present. With the new system, border authorities can promptly reject foreign applicants, preventing the arrival of those deemed a threat to national security.

“ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and ensure more robust security checks are carried out before people begin their journey to the UK, helping to prevent abuse of our immigration system.

“This will ensure we have information on those seeking to come to the UK helping to prevent dangerous individuals, such as criminals, entering the UK.

“The introduction of ETAs is in line with the approach many other countries have taken to border security, including the US and Australia.”

UK Government

How to apply

Singaporeans visiting the UK from 8th January 2025 onwards can apply for an ETA from 27th November 2024 via one of the following methods:

• The UK ETA app on the Apple app store
• The UK ETA app on Google Play
• The UK government online portal

You will need to upload a photo of yourself and the passport you will use to visit the UK, and answer some questions about yourself.

Do be careful to avoid scam sites that charge additional fees to apply for an ETA on your behalf. Only use the UK government application portals, which charge GBP10.

How much does it cost?

It will cost GBP 10 (around S$17 at the time of writing) to apply for the ETA., once application for Singapore citizens go live on 27th November 2024.

All passengers must apply and pay the fee, even babies and senior citizens.

The UK Government recommends applying for an ETA before booking any travel to the UK.

Once issued, the ETA is then automatically linked to your passport, so you do not need to show a paper copy, but you may still wish to carry a confirmation with you, in case any issues arise.

How long does it take?

After applying for your ETA, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 working days, but it may be quicker.

In our experience of similar schemes used by other countries, approval is typically much faster than that, so we’d expect the same with this one.

An ETA can be obtained at any time, even when you do not have immediate travel plans, though the two-year validity clock will start ticking as soon as it is issued.

Nonetheless it’s probably a good idea to have your ETA application in place around a week before your trip.

What about urgent trips?

If you need to travel to the UK urgently, for example due to a family emergency, don’t worry.

Although you must apply for an ETA before you depart, a process that only takes a few minutes, you can then travel to the UK while waiting for a decision, unlike some other schemes like the US ESTA which require advance approval in order for you to be able to check in for your flight.

How long will an ETA last?

Once approved, your ETA will be good for multiple visits to the United Kingdom during a two-year period, or will expire on the same date as your passport, whichever comes sooner.

There will be no need to reapply before each trip you take to the UK while you hold a valid ETA liked to the same passport.

Your ETA cannot be transferred to a new passport

The UK ETA authorisation is electronically linked to the chip in your travel document, and cannot be transferred to another passport.

Therefore if your passport expires within your ETA two-year validity period, a new ETA visa waiver must be obtained, once you have a new passport in hand.

What about dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship for Singaporeans is very rare, since it is generally not permitted.

Some people do hold this status though, which usually arises if they were born abroad to Singaporean parents and also acquired the nationality of their birth country.

If you are a dual national of both Singapore and the United Kingdom or Ireland, you do not need to apply for an ETA for an arrival from 8th January 2025 onwards, provided you enter the UK using your British or Irish passport. You may also have to show this passport to check-in staff prior to departure.

Those with dual citizenship who have passports from two ETA eligible non-UK/Ireland countries (e.g. Japan and Singapore) can apply for an ETA using either passport, but they must then enter the UK with the passport they applied with.

Will a valid ETA guarantee entry into the UK?

No. While the ETA is partly designed to ‘smooth’ your arrival, having allowed authorities to vet your suitability for entry in advance, it is important to know that approval of an ETA is not a guarantee of entry into the UK.

Your entry will still be subject to the discretion of an immigration officer at the UK border. In some cases you may be asked to show that you have sufficient funds for your trip, and a return or onward travel booking from the UK.

In reality, Singapore citizens are already ‘well trusted’, as one of 11 non-EU nationalities eligible to use the eGate entry lanes at UK airports.

That means as a Singapore citizen you’ll likely continue to be able to enter the UK without even speaking to an immigration officer at all, even after the ETA is implemented.

The UK does not have exit immigration, in common with some other countries including Canada, the USA and Ireland, so it’s just security to worry about at the airport on your way out of the country at the end of your trip – not even an eGate to contend with.

Transit passengers also need an ETA

If you are transiting the UK en-route to a non-UK or Ireland final destination, you will still need an ETA in order to be permitted to check in for your first flight, even if you remain in the transit area during your connection.

This would apply, for example, to a Singapore – London – New York routing with British Airways.

That’s definitely a big consideration if all you’ll be doing is transiting airside in the UK.

For example, a family of four flying from Singapore to France via London Heathrow on British Airways, remaining wholly within the transit area, will likely not want to be forking out GBP 40 (~S$68) just to be allowed to do so, when transits via other European and Middle East hubs do not come with this complication.

There has already been plenty of opposition to this element of the ETA policy, but for now the UK Government is standing firm.

“The ETA scheme will give us a comprehensive understanding of those travelling to the UK and the ability to prevent the travel of those who pose a threat, including those who are transiting through UK airports.

“Requiring transit passengers to obtain an ETA stops people who may use connecting flights to avoid gaining permission to travel to the UK. We are keeping this under review as we continue to roll out the scheme.”

UK Government

Europe will follow suit

Another complication for Singapore citizens will arise in the first half of 2025, when the European Union finally rolls out its much-delayed European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a similar advance travel authorisation for those who can arrive visa-free.

You’ll be able to apply for this one via an official website or mobile app in due course, for a fee of EUR7 (~S$10).

ETIAS will allow unlimited entries to Schengen Area countries during a 3-year period, or will expire on the same date as your passport if that comes up sooner.

That means from next year it will make a lot of sense for many of our readers to ensure they have a valid UK ETA and EU ETIAS approval at all times, to allow hassle-free trips to Europe at any time.

Singaporeans heading to the UK from 8th January 2025 will be faced with a new travel approval to obtain before departure, costing around S$17, in the form of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Thankfully your application does not need to be approved before you check in for your flight, but it is far safer to apply well in advance and obtain the approval well ahead of time.

Oddly, even if you are merely transiting through a UK airport on an international itinerary, an ETA will still be required.

European Schengen Area countries will also roll out a similar scheme in the first half of 2025, so do ensure you keep on top of your approvals to ensure seamless trips to the continent in the years ahead.

(Cover Photo: Shutterstock)