Are you planning for your next getaway? While we as Malaysians are lucky to have a passport that allows us to visit some of the best holiday destinations visa-free, a range of new travel rules for 2026 will soon change the way we travel. With up to 30 countries, such as Singapore and Thailand, introducing digital arrival cards or the United Kingdom making Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) mandatory, being extra prepared for international travel means you’ll unlock even more seamless travels in the future.
But what makes these rules different, and how can you ensure that you have the right documents on hand before you fly? Today, we’ll discuss everything you’ll need to know to stay ahead with the ever-evolving travel rules and to keep your 2026 adventures seamless.
What are some travel rules that are changing in 2026, AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR MALAYSIANS?
Before we jump into a state of panic, it’s worth noting that none of these changing travel rules means that our passport is losing its spot as one of the strongest documents in the world. Heading into 2026, we’ve kept our visa-free access to over 180 countries, allowing wanderlust travellers to still plan their dream holidays without having to go through embassy appointments or nail-biting visa applications.
Instead, the travel rules are simply here to change the way we cross borders, regardless of how you’re making your way around. As we move into a digital-first world, it’s no surprise that these changes will often require prior applications online to help ensure a smooth transition from country to country. To help keep things simple, we’ve broken down the different types of pre-arrival registrations that you’ll need for some of the most popular holiday destinations.
No more papers, please: Introducing the Digital Arrival Card
For starters, let’s talk about the Digital Arrival Card. Used to replace the paper registrations we used to receive as the plane is landing, the Digital Arrival Card is a form of documentation that focuses on your basic trip details to help cut down on long immigration queues. Gone are the days when we’ll be panicking on the flight to find a pen from our seat neighbours, as these Digital Arrival Cards are ideally submitted up to 72 hours before you even begin your travels.
Now, despite moving from a physical form to a digital documentation, it’s good to know that these Digital Arrival Cards are usually free to apply for. To avoid falling victim to scammers, it’s always best to only submit your application via the official websites of the corresponding countries. Unfortunately, you may occasionally see websites allegedly promising quicker approvals or ways to bypass these documentations for a fee, so it’s best to stay vigilant and keep your money for more fun adventures instead.
So, where will you need to have these Digital Arrival Cards ready? Well, if you’re across the causeway, the Singapore Arrival Card is a must. Available to apply through the official ICA website, the applications are easy to complete and necessary for you to cross the borders. Meanwhile, our neighbours in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines are also embracing this digital shift by introducing Digital Arrival Card systems of their own.
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Elsewhere in Japan, India, Cambodia, Brunei, and the Maldives, you’ll find respective e-portals to help you breeze through Digital Arrival Card applications. At the time of writing, Vietnam has yet to introduce a full Digital Arrival Card system nationwide, though testing phases are currently underway for arrivals in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a growing list as time progresses, though most of these applications are easy to navigate once you’ve completed them for one country.
Unlocking the world with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
For longer-haul adventures, you’ll likely be met with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or an application of a similar name. Not to be confused with the visa that requires high-level embassy clearance, ETA documents act as a digital link to your passport that lasts a minimum of 12 months. They are simpler to apply for, and you’ll typically receive approval within 72 hours. However, this is also subject to change depending on peak seasons, so it’s recommended that you apply for an ETA immediately after your travel plans are set.
Unlike Digital Arrival Cards, applying for an ETA usually requires a small, one-time processing fee while submitting your documents. However, the upside is that your information is stored digitally once your ETA is approved, and you’re often granted multiple entries through the period of validity. Although it’s good to remember that in the event you renew your passport before your ETA expires, you’ll have to apply for an ETA, as each document is linked to the passport that was initially used for submission.
For Malaysians, the biggest travel rule update for 2026 involves any travel to the United Kingdom. This is because the UK ETA is now mandatory for all visitors, including children. Applying for the UK ETA can be done via the official app that’s available on both Android and Apple phones, and it costs £20 (approximately RM 107) per application. Once approved, your ETA is valid for multiple entries and exits for up to 2 years or until your passport expires. Of course, an ETA is not required if you’re simply transiting through the airport without passing border control.
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Over in the EU, an upcoming rollout of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is also set for the last quarter of 2026. Costing €20 (approximately RM 92) to apply, the ETIAS aims to create a more secure and efficient border control, replacing manual passport stamps with a digital record that’s linked to your passport. Each approved application will be valid for up to 3 years or until your passport expires, and allows multiple entries across all participating countries for up to 90 days.
In the meantime, an Entry/Exit System (EES) is also currently being tested across multiple airports in Europe, so leaving extra wait time to clear through borders in case you’re entering Europe is to be expected. The good news, however, is that using the EES is completely free of charge and can be done on the spot. As such, it’s good to be aware that any parties asking you to pay for an EES clearance are most likely to be fraudulent.
Across the oceans, destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have long relied on ETA systems, with the major difference being the duration of validity for respective documents. For those looking to visit Australia, the ETA has a 12-month validity that grants you multiple entries within the time frame and costs $20 AUD (approximately RM 56) per application. New Zealand’s ETA, on the other hand, offers a 2-year validity for a NZ$17 (approximately RM 40) processing fee. Alternatively, you’ll be able to obtain the Canadian ETA that gives you a 5-year validity for CAN$7 (approximately RM 20).
Photo by Closer to home, the mandatory ETA also extends to destinations such as South Korea, which introduced the K-ETA in 2021. Offering a 3-year validity for multiple entries upon approval, the K-ETA costs 10,000 won (approximately RM 26) to apply for and is typically required to avoid being denied boarding. Other countries, such as the United States of America, Kenya, and Sri Lanka, are also on the list of destinations that require ETA approvals before flying, so we recommend checking beforehand to save yourself from travel stresses at the check-in counter.
Protecting a paradise: How tourist levies are set to work in 2026
Finally, some of our favourite spots are also looking to introduce tourist levies to help support the local tourism industry and vital conservation efforts. Not to be mistaken for a Digital Arrival Card or ETA, these tourist levies act as a supplement to your necessary travel documents and can be easily paid online.
A QR code is often issued once the tourist levy has been paid, and you will have to produce this code as proof to enter selected cities or regions. To avoid situations of messy emails or lost messages, we suggest taking a screenshot of your QR code as soon you receive it so you’ll have the right document on hand immediately when asked to produce this proof.
Photo by Alessandro Santoro on Unsplash
A common example of these tourist levies is found in Venice, which introduced an access fee for day-trippers during peak seasons. Introduced to help manage daily crowds rather than to turn away visitors, you’ll be required to register before entering the Floating City and pay a small fee in exchange for a QR code that acts as an entry pass. In return, most levy proceeds are used to help preserve the beauty of this breathtaking city, allowing more visitors to experience Venice in the years to come.
Another holiday destination that’s leading this travel rule change is Bali, which has introduced a mandatory tourist levy since 2024. Aimed at preserving the island’s soul, the funds collected via these tourist levies are used to support essential conservation projects such as coral reef restoration, modern waste management systems, and help with the preservation of Bali’s centuries-old temples. Applications and payments can be made on the official Love Bali website, and costs IDR 150,000 (approximately RM 34) per person.
How do you ensure a seamless travel in 2026?
Of course, we’ve all been in that position where applying for entry documents – especially for visa-free destinations – would be the last thing that comes to mind. However, staying prepared often goes a long way to keep the excitement of going on a trip alive as you reach the airport. This is because some airlines may even deny you boarding should you fail to provide a valid document, such as an approved ETA or updated Digital Arrival Card.
To help you stay ahead of this curve, here are four things you’ll want to remember to keep your travel seamless.
Check the entry requirements as soon as you booK
It’s good to know that the travel world moves fast, so making it a habit to check the official tourism or embassy website of your holiday destination can help you stay informed should new travel rules be put in place. Doing so will give you plenty of time to apply for a Digital Arrival Card or ETA if necessary, as these documents are expected to be rolled out in more countries throughout the year.
Be sure to keep to the 72-hour rule
While most of these digital applications are often approved quickly, it’s always best to complete them at least 72 hours before you fly. This takes unexpected delays such as system maintenance or public holidays into account, allowing for extra processing time where necessary. Doing so will always give you peace of mind rather than scrambling with your phone and praying for the best as you approach the airport’s check-in counter.
If the website looks shady, it probably is
As quickly as the travel world moves, unscrupulous scammers may move faster. Whether it’s introducing services to allegedly quicken the process of your ETA application or downright being a copycat website to submit your digital forms, it’s always good to stay alert before making any payment. You can do this by checking that you’re on the official websites or using only authorised apps to complete your application.
Always keep an extra copy with you
Last but not least, it never hurts to be well prepared with an extra copy of your Digital Arrival Card, ETA, or QR code and confirmation email on hand. Keeping them as a screenshot in your phone or even printing a copy of these documents is also a good idea. Having this prevents the panic you may encounter in case your phone battery goes empty or the airport Wi-Fi stops you from showing your documents online, allowing you to breeze through the gates and onward to enjoying the best holiday yet.
Want to keep your travel plans simple? Reach out to any of our holiday advisors, and we’ll be more than happy to take the weight of handling these travel documents off your shoulders. From ensuring you have the right pre-arrival registrations to planning the little details for an unforgettable holiday, your journey is always kept simplified, so all you have to do is pack a bag and enjoy the ride.
Start your adventures by getting in touch with Holiday Tours today!