The UK Tourist Visa for Singaporeans now centers on the ETA, or Electronic Travel Authorization. This digital permit is tied to your passport and allows travel to the United Kingdom for tourism, business, short study, family visits, or even airport transit.
Applying for an ETA is simple. You fill out an online form, upload your details, and pay the required fees, no embassy visits needed. The system checks your information against security databases, and most approvals come through within minutes to three working days.
The requirements are straightforward: a valid Singapore passport, a digital passport-style photo, an email address, a payment card, and your travel plans. Parents must also apply separately for children. Accuracy matters, as errors can cause delays or result in refusals.
Processing time is generally fast. While many decisions arrive quickly, travelers are advised to apply early to avoid issues.
The cost is budget-friendly compared to a full visa. The UK ETA fee is £16 plus a £10 processing charge, totaling £26. Valid for two years or until the passport expires, it permits multiple visits of up to six months each.
With the ETA system launching April 2025, Singaporean visitors can look forward to smoother applications, faster entry, and fewer headaches at the border.
UK Tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is digital travel permission required for foreign nationals visiting the United Kingdom for tourism, business, study, family visits, and transit purposes. Linked to traveller’s passport, valid for multiple journeys across two years, and Government costs £16 and including processing fee (26 GBP to 49 GBP) depending on updates in fees. ETA does not replace visas, functions as pre-entry clearance strengthening UK border security and simplifying immigration system improvements for millions of visitors annually.
The UK Tourist ETA is a short-term Electronic Travel Authorisation linked to a passport, costs £16, valid for multiple journeys up to six months, while the UK Tourist Visa requires an embassy process, higher fees, longer processing, and grants permission for longer or more complex stays.
Singaporean nationals eligible for UK Tourist Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 2 April 2025. ETA Government costs £16 and including £10 Processing fees total 26 GBP, valid for two years or until passport expiry, and allows multiple journeys up to six months for tourism, business, study, family visits, transit purposes.
Applicants must submit passport details, travel plans, digital photo, contact details, pay the application fee via the ETA Authoritative Web portal application.uketa.com.sg. Exemptions cover British citizens, Irish citizens, dual citizens with UK passports, and individuals with valid UK immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
The ETA system forms part of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. Operates online, checking applicant information against UK and international security databases. If no red flags appear, a decision is usually issued within three working days.
Delays may occur due to additional checks or suitability questions related to criminality, immigration status, or past travel violations. ETA grants travel permission but does not guarantee entry at the UK border, where officers may refuse admission.
How to Apply for UK Tourism ETA?
Apply for a UK ETA
Apply for a UK Tourist Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): application.uketa.com.sg
Pay the £16 government fee plus £10 our processing fees (total £26). The ETA permits multiple journeys, stays up to six months, and lasts two years.
Fill Out the Online Form
Required documents: Passport details, travel plans, contact information, and a compliant photo. Applicants must answer suitability, criminality, and immigration status questions. Keep your application number for reference, and ensure the information matches your passport details.
Application steps: Create an account Via ETA Webportal uketa.com.sg. start the ETA application, complete the form, review all entries, and pay the fee. Most decisions arrive within three working days, though delays may occur. The travel permission is electronically linked to the applicant’s passport.
Validity and use: The ETA lasts two years or until the passport expires. It permits multiple entries and stays up to six months each. If your passport changes, a new ETA is required. Landside and many airside transits require an ETA.
Airlines and border control: Carriers check ETA status before boarding. An ETA grants permission to travel but not guaranteed entry; border officers determine entry. Incorrect details may result in boarding issues or refusals.
Fees and cost: Government fee is £16. processing fees are £10, totaling £26. Verify any additional bank charges. Retain your receipt for future travel.
System overview: The Electronic Travel Authorisation is part of broader immigration system improvements enhancing border security by checking applicant data against security databases. It parallels systems in the US and Australia.
Rejections or delays: Common causes include mismatched passport details, unanswered suitability questions, prior immigration violations, or criminal history. Provide accurate information about your trip and any other nationalities or citizenships. If someone else applies on your behalf, verify all details.
Travel scope: ETA supports tourism, business meetings, short-term study, visiting friends and family, and transit. It does not replace a visa where one is required for work. For full eligibility and requirements, review current travel regulations.
Additional info: No VFS Global appointment is needed, as ETAs are processed online. Alternative documents like certificates of entitlement to the right of abode fall under separate processes.
What Documents Are Required for a UK ETA For Singaporeans?
UK ETA Requirement
To apply for a UK ETA Visa, make sure you have the following
Valid Passport
Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your travel date to the UK. You’ll need it for both the application and your trip.
Recent Photo
Payment Method
Use a valid payment method like a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay to pay the application fee.
Active Email Address
Provide an email address you use often. You’ll get updates and the approval notice through this email.
Clean Criminal Record
You need to have a clean criminal record. If you’ve been convicted of a crime and served a prison sentence of 12 months or more, your application could be denied. This also applies if you’ve been convicted in the past year.
What is the processing time for a UK ETA?
Processing time for UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) usually minutes or hours, maximum 3 working days. Decisions arrive via email. Apply several days early to avoid delays and ensure smooth, passport-linked boarding. Most applicants receive an automatic decision within minutes, certain cases take up to three working days, and you’ll receive a 16-digit ETA reference number via email.
How much does a UK ETA cost?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation government fee is £16 (raised on 9 April 2025); our processing fee is £10, so your total is £26. Fees are kept under review. Apply only at application.uketa.com.sg/.
How long is a UK ETA valid for tourists?
An ETA is not a visa or a tax; it’s permission to travel. It’s valid for 2 years (or until the passport expires), permits multiple journeys, and each visit allows stays up to six months for tourism, business, study (short), or transit purposes.
Can Singaporeans use a UK ETA for multiple trips to the UK?
Yes, Singaporean citizens can use a UK ETA for multiple trips to the UK within its 2-year validity period (or until the linked passport expires). Each visit can be for up to 6 months, provided the purpose aligns with permitted activities (e.g., tourism, business, or short-term study).
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), introduced 2 April 2025, is a security-led immigration system improvement that pre-screens millions of visitors, links passport, contact, and photo details, costs £16, and authorises travel for stays up to six months.
ETA strengthens border security and modernises the immigration system following the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. Pre-travel checks enable automated systems to compare applicant information against security databases, allowing officials to identify threats before arrival.
Applicants provide passport info, contact details, and a compliant photo, answer suitability questions, pay the fee, and usually receive an automatic decision quickly. Certain cases are escalated to an officer and reviewed within three working days.
Yes, non-Singaporean travelers can apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, provided their nationality is on the ETA eligibility list of countries such as Qatar, Jordan, GCC nations, US, and Australia.
Yes, if you are applying for a UK Tourist Visa, you must go through VFS Global or an official visa center, not directly through the UK embassy in Singapore.
Travelers can check their UK ETA application status by logging into their ETA account with their application number, passport details, and email contact on the same platform where they applied
Applicants should apply for a UK Tourist Visa at least three months before travel, since processing involves VFS Global, biometrics, document checks, and potential delays.
Unlike an ETA, which gives a decision in hours or days, a visa can take weeks. Extra time accounts for peak seasons, complications with passports, or additional security checks. If a family or group is traveling, advance applications prevent difficulties at the point of entry.
Eligible non-European nationalities include Qatar (from 25 October 2023), Jordan (from 1 February 2024), GCC states (from 22 February 2024), Singapore (from 2025 rollout), as well as US and Australian nationals from 9 April 2025.
If an ETA application is refused, the applicant cannot board their flights or enter the UK. The refusal notice includes reasons, such as incorrect passport details, photo violations, criminality, or unsatisfactory suitability questions.
Yes, children of all ages need their own UK ETA, even if traveling with parents or guardians. The ETA system applies to every traveller regardless of age, family status, or travel purpose. Parents must complete applications for minors by entering passport details, contact details, photos, and travel plans. The UK government intentionally requires separate ETAs to avoid abuse, violations, or immigration system loopholes.
Yes, travelers from eligible nationalities require a UK ETA for airside and landside transit through UK airports after 2 April 2025. The ETA applies to transit purposes, including connecting flights, even when passengers do not cross the UK border control. Exemptions may apply for certain nationalities or certificate of entitlement holders.
This prevents abuse of airport transit as a loophole for unauthorized entries. The ETA is now a standard travel requirement for millions of people making journeys through UK hubs.
Do I need a visa to visit the UK?
How many tourists visit the UK each year?
What is a UK Tourism ETA?
How much does a UK ETA cost?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation government fee is £16 (raised on 9 April 2025); our processing fee is £10, so your total is £26. Fees are kept under review. Apply only at application.uketa.com.sg/.
Can I work in the UK with a tourist ETA?
Who is the best and trusted online travel agency to apply for a UK ETA?
Which countries can I visit with a UK ETA?
Is an ETA required to visit the UK?
What is the difference between a UK ETA and a UK tourist visa?
What can you do with an ETA from Singapore?
What can you not do with an ETA from Singapore?
How long can a Singaporean stay in the UK without a visa?
Does a UK citizen need a visa to travel to Singapore?
What happens if I stay longer than 6 months in the UK?
Overstaying breaches immigration rules and can lead to future refusals, re-entry bans, or removal; the former 28-day grace has been replaced by stricter rules.
Can Singaporeans live in the UK?
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Singapore’s trusted UK ETA agency since 2024, streamlines applications for tourism, business, study, and family visits. Our expert team delivers a fast, secure process with dedicated local support.
This website is operated by World Visa Centre LLC, a travel and tourism agency based in Malaysia and licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism. We provide information and assistance for completing online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) applications, charging an additional professional service fee.
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