When you decide to go for an overseas holiday, you must always check the extra costs that come with going to a different country. Things like visas and health certificates and other travel add-ons.
Travel add-ons
First, you need to check if you need a visa. We are not affiliated with this site, but find it very helpful and up to date when checking if you need a visa. Just enter your passport country at the top and it will show you below, which countries require what entry documents. If you require an eVisa, they will direct you to the official site or quite often, an authorised agent, who will generally charge a service fee. You will generally save money if you can go straight to the issuing authority and you will also be able to check if there are any upcoming fee adjustments. If you’re travelling to Europe, you may need an ETIAS, a mandatory requirement and applies to citizens of countries granted visa-free access to the EU since 2020. An ETIAS costs €10 and must be applied for at least 72 hours before you travel.
One that is often overlooked these days is the Vaccination card that used to be required for entry to many countries. This yellow card, issued by the World Health Organisation, was completed by your doctor if you required shots for diseases like typhoid, cholera or yellow fever. Not having it could cause you to be denied entry. Or more likely arriving home to a period of quarantine if you’ve been to a country where these diseases are endemic. This certificate will still be required if you travel to certain countries. Find out if you need a Yellow Card for your destination.
Other add-ons may not cost you money, but they need to be completed to streamline your entry into your destination. This covers things like Digital Arrival cards.
Visas and Electronic Travel Authorities (ETA)
An ETA is a digital travel permission for travellers who do not need a visa for short stays. Applying does not automatically guarantee approval. During the application you may be asked for more information to prove you will be returning to your point of origin, or travelling to a third country. A processing fee may be charged for this ETA.
Australia
Australia requires visitors to apply for an ETA, unless they require a visa that requires an application. You must use the app, available for apple and android. Download links are available on this page (it’s also available for other countries) which gives information about making the application.
There is a non-refundable AUD 25 cost payable by credit card when you make the application. Approval may be as quick as a few minutes, but if further checks are needed, you may be asked for additional information to shows you intend to leave Australia after your visit.
New Zealand
New Zealand, like Australia, charges a fee to visitors except Australian visitors, when you apply for a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) that allows you to travel to New Zealand multiple times within 2 years. The NZeTA currently costs you NZD23 (NZD17 if you use their mobile app), with an additional NZD35 for the non-refundable International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). The IVL charge is added to the NZeTA to make a total of NZD58 unless you also require a visa.
Please note that the IVL charge is increasing to NZD100.00 from 1st October 2024. There is no change for the NZeTA, which is valid for 2 years.
United Kingdom
The British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur has advised that Malaysian travellers to UK will need to apply for an ETA from 8th January 2025. The cost for the ETA is £10 (approximately RM56.69) and allows multiple entries into the UK for stays of up to six months over a period of two years, or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first.
Digital Arrival Cards
This is like a “Let us know you’re coming” card, designed to move you more quickly through the entry process.
Both Singapore and Malaysia require visitors to complete an arrival card from 3 days before you arrive. This is to streamline your arrival procedures. In addition, Malaysia has made Autogate entry available to visitors from 10 countries when you register for your Digital Arrival Card. There is no charge for this service.
For Singapore, two days before you fly, complete your Singapore Arrival Card online. This writer took about 10 minutes to complete the form and had an instant confirmation. There is no charge. It’s important to remember this is not a visa, which they can only do at as you pass through the immigration checkpoint.
Completing your Arrival card online will save you the hassle of standing in the crowd before Singapore Immigration, having to complete it standing up. The SG Arrival Card is also available on MyICA Mobile Application. For more information, visit the ICA website. They have a handy video and links to download the free app for iPhone and Android.
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