Singapore immigration clearance with QR code guide
Malaysians planning to travel to Singapore by car can anticipate a hassle-free journey with a passport-free QR code immigration clearance system at two land checkpoints, effective from 19th March 2024.
The collaborative initiative was announced in January this year by Malaysia’s Ministry of Economy (MOE) and Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), which aims to expedite immigration clearance. It’ll contribute to the broader plan for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JSSEZ).
Here are several things from the initiative to take note of, as well as a guide on how to use the QR code on your mobile devices.
A guide on how to use the QR code
Image credit: App Store
To start with, travellers will be obligated to download the MyICA mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store. On the homepage, click on the QR code icon, and you’ll be given a choice to generate either an individual QR code or a group one.
Image adapted from: MyICA Mobile
If you’re travelling alone, the option to generate an individual code would only require the details of one person, but should you be travelling in a group, you will be required to submit the details of each person in your company. Do note that a maximum of 10 passports can be inputted into the group QR code, and details of each can be edited or passports added and deleted if needed.
Image adapted from: MyICA Mobile
Once all the information has been submitted, click on the “QR Code Homepage” button and the bottom of the page, and you’ll be given access to the QR codes. These codes will be scanned at the counters of Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints, where ICA officers will also conduct in-person checks to confirm that the information submitted in the system is valid.
Image adapted from: MyICA Mobile
Things to know about the new initiative
Image credit: Google Maps
Travellers in cars will be able to travel to and from Singapore with this QR codes feature being rolled out, and it is to note that this initiative only applies to two of Singapore’s land checkpoints as of now – Tuas and Woodlands. Travellers will still be required to present their physical passports at Malaysia’s checkpoints.
If you are a foreign visitor entering Singapore for the first time, or re-entering with a different passport from your last visit, you will have to present your physical passport at the immigration counters. The QR code feature can then be used on your subsequent trips.
Image credit: Today Online
On the other hand, foreign visitors who have visited Singapore before can auto-populate their passport details by scanning the machine-readable zone of their passport biodata pages, instead of manually inputting your personal details into the MyICA app.
Those who would rather stick to presenting their physical passports to ICA officers instead of the QR codes can also do so.
Passport-free travel to Singapore
From 19th March onwards, Malaysians travelling to Singapore will be able to perform passport-free immigration clearance in the comforts of their car and with just a single scan of a QR code. For a smooth-sailing travel, bookmark this guide to ensure that you’ve got everything covered.
For upcoming trips to Singapore, you can also bookmark our guides on 19 free things to do in Singapore and 10 hawker stalls in Singapore that Malaysians will approve of.
Cover image adapted from: The Smart Local Singapore & ICA Singapore