May 2024 update: No need to manually register at the checkpoint counters for Singaporean citizens! 🎉
Update (9 May 2024): You can now enter JB via the e-gates without lining up for the manual counters at the checkpoint — even if it’s your first time — as long as you meet the requirements listed below. Hooray! 🥳
Recently, Malaysia announced that most foreigners would be required to fill up the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) from 1 January 2024 (regardless of entry point by air or land). However, there are some exceptions, with Singaporeans being one of them.
In case you didn’t know, since March 2023, Singaporeans have been allowed to use the e-gates when crossing the Causeway between Singapore and Malaysia.
This is to speed up traffic flow at Malaysia’s land checkpoints, so whether you’re a student planning an exciting day trip across the border to eat, play, shop and cafe hop with friends, or a parent taking your kids to JB for a short getaway, saving invaluable time at the checkpoint is something we’d all love!
But the steps to use the JB custom e-gates remain unclear to most.
So, here’s everything you need to know about using the e-gates for the first time to ensure your smooth passage into JB!
E-gate Eligibility
Photo credit: CNA
1) Singapore Citizens, Malaysian Permanent Residents, and Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) pass holders
2) Biometric passport with at least 3 months validity
3) Minimum height of 120cm
How to Use JB Customs E-gates before Entering Malaysia
Although you are no longer required to do a first-time registration for the e-gate at the manual counter, you still need to fill up the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within three days of your trip to Malaysia.
For example, if your trip is on 3 March, the earliest you can submit the MDAC is 1 March. So that’s good news for us because it helps to cut down the waiting time for immigration queues by ALOT. Let us know how the process was like for you!
Looking for things to do in JB or have any burning questions about entering JB from Singapore? Check out these guides and FAQ:
– JB Day Trip Itinerary — Where to Eat, Play and Shop Under S$65
– JB Cafe-hopping — 9 New Cafes to Check Out in Johor Bahru
– Commonly Asked Questions About Travelling to Johor from Singapore
Know of anyone who’s crossing the Causeway and planning to use the e-gates for the first time? Share this article with them!
Just wondering, I have registered and gone through the normal counter to register my passport biometrics once last month, however I noticed on the MDAC website it has a pass expiry date.
Any idea if the pass expiry date is for that specific trip or for the subsequent use of the egate? As that would mean having to register and go through the normal counter 1 trip prior to using the egate again.
Hi Lloyd! You’ll need to fill in the MDAC form each time you enter Malaysia via the e-gates, so the expiry should be for the specific trip. You also only need to apply for the e-gates through the manual counter for your first time, for subsequent trips, you do not need to go through the counters again. Hope this clarifies!
May 2023: Thanks for article – Tried this, registered online and got verified. It worked once to exit, but was never able to enter again via the e-gate. System glitch somewhere, and I’m currently typing this while in the queue at JB immigration – Singaporeans back to queuing for hours like old times, some sitting on the floor. Egates showing verification error.
Earlier in May 2023, I requested the immigration officer to activate the e-gates facilities at KLIA on arrival after I done the MDAC online prior. The officer told me that I can start to use the e-gate when leaving KL, so I tried but the e-gate can’t read my passport on my departure. After feedback to the officer at the counter, he asked if I like to try again but I just said next time as I need to be on time for my flight. Then I tried to get it activated at JB immigration (via Woodlands) 2 weeks later, the officer said the “system down” and thus can’t check my MDAC status. Seriously? What kind of infrastructure their government invested in? Malaysia really “boleh”!
Thanks Dylan for this article, gonna try this for my future trip in JB.
Love your personality! Hope to see you in the next trip ^_^
Thanks for your kind words, will definitely let Dylan know too 🙂 Enjoy your future JB trip!
I was at the msia custom today 5 Aug 23 with 2 other sis. Immigration staff told me yes I could use the egate next time I enter. Sis number 1 was told the truth sys down can’t take fingerprint. Sis number 2 was told she didn’t apply MDAC… all kind of nonsense reply that’s what we get. Yah true sg back to long hours of queue coz of their efficiency… fabulous that 3 officers can say 3 diff things. I guess they do not genuinely allow us to use egate without paying. Then we pay! Just buck up and provide decent service! OMG!
I was in malaysia last month(Jul’23) and this month(Aug’23). When i ask for 1st registration for the finger print at the counter Malaysia custom just wave me off say dont have.
I think they want us to pay to use the egate.
I managed to register for egate via the manual counter at woodlands ciq on 26 April 23 (wed), and use the gate on my subsequent visit on 16-17 sep 23 (sat-sun).
However, my parents were unable to register for the egate on 16 sep sat as “reg can only be done on working days mon- thurs”.
Can registration be done for egate on fridays too?
Hi Vinitha! As far as we know, the designated MDAC registration counters are only open from 8AM to 7PM on Monday to Thursday. So unfortunately, you won’t be able to register on Fridays.
In KLIA-1, KLIA-2 on Arrival Counters Registrations for e-Gate was done untill December 2023. Starting from 2024 Malaysia adopted to use the AUTO Gate systems which is an advancement from e-Gate system. In this auto gate system Passport need to be scanned the chip inside the passport will be providing the required details. such chip is available with 9 or 10 countries only. ofcourse INDIA doesn’t provide that type of passport.
In JB Land border crossing iam not sure how it works.
So are the automatic egates working at jb ciq? I have u.s. passport. Used autogates at klia1 to enter. Will use klia2 to fly Singapore. I can then use jb autogates to re-enter? Thanks!