Travellers from 63 territories, including Singapore, could use QR code to enter Malaysia in 2026
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Cars entering Johor from Singapore at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs Immigration and Quarantine complex in Johor on Sept 22, 2022.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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KUALA LUMPUR - Travellers from 63 countries and territories and those holding the long-term visit passes might be allowed to use the QR code system for immigration clearance at Malaysia’s borders beginning on Jan 1, 2026, said Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on March 4.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin said the government is planning to expand the use of the Immigration Department’s QR code system to travellers from these places including countries from South-east Asia like Singapore and Brunei as well as the US and Britain.
Currently, the QR code system is used by only Malaysians at immigration borders, he said during Question Time in Parliament on March 4.
But the auto gates can be used by travellers from the 63 countries and territories, said Mr Saifuddin.
The QR code clearance system can be used by Malaysians via the MyBorderPass app.
Mr Saifuddin also said that about 172 Immigration officers are stationed at Immigration counters.
“But, when the (QR Code) system is fully installed, there will only be 68 staff. We will have a reduction of labour of nearly 60 per cent,” he said.
A total of 786,603 Malaysians have downloaded the MyBorderPass app since its trial phase began in January.
Around 25 per cent of travellers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport used the QR code to clear immigration, while 60 per cent still opted for the auto gates and 40 per cent used manual counters, said the home minister.
“The system’s efficiency is measured by average processing time. The QR code takes five seconds and the passport auto gate 15 seconds, while manual clearance depends on queue length,” he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
