SEPANG – Beginning January 1, 2024, all travellers entering Malaysia must complete the mandatory Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before entering the country, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said while the implementation of digital cards has been introduced, it was not initially mandatory until December 31 of this year.
“We have informed arriving travellers about the necessity of filling out the digital arrival card, similar to the practice in Singapore, where Malaysians are required to submit digital cards two or three days before entry,” he told reporters after holding a visit to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) immigration counters, here, this afternoon.
Acknowledging the adjustment period, he said: “Although it is preferable to complete the forms two or three days before arriving in Malaysia, considering the recent awareness of this requirement, we are allowing flexibility until December 31, allowing travellers to fill in the forms upon arrival.”
From January 1, the completion of the arrival card before entering Malaysia will become compulsory, he said.
Saifuddin highlighted that the digital arrival card contains vital information about travellers’ planned locations and addresses, providing insight into their stay in the country.
He also noted certain exemptions to the ruling, saying that Singaporeans are exempt from this requirement due to their daily entry patterns, whether it be for a few hours or a one-day visit.
“We are also considerate of the reactions to this new ruling, especially at busy entry points like the Sultan Iskandar Building and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex, with a yearly total of 135 million crossings, expected to increase by 15% annually to 150 million crossings by 2026,” he said.
A significant proportion comprises Malaysians working in Singapore, particularly those from Johor, he said.
Therefore, the exemption of such cards is extended to Malaysian workers using work passes for Singapore, provided they are not regular social visitors.
He said Singaporeans entering other Malaysian entry points such as Penang and KLIA are also exempt from the mandatory digital arrival card.
Further exemptions are granted to holders of diplomatic passports, permanent residents and those with long-term stay visas. Brunei citizens with a General Certificate of Identity and Brunei-Malaysia Frequent Traveller passes are also exempt.
For Thailand, those transporting goods with border passes and holders of Indonesian border passes are exempt as well.
Saifuddin also announced the establishment of 14 new counters operating 24/7 to accommodate the increasing number of arrivals, bringing the total count to 60 counters.
Saifuddin noted that the surge in arrival flights, particularly from China and India, prompted increased monitoring. As of the latest statistics, there were 108 tourist flights from China and 200 from India between December 1 and 4.
He highlighted that the visa liberalisation plan, implemented from December 1, would be reinforced with integrated control and enforcement measures, including a special immigration team monitoring the entries and exits of tourists from China and India from the 30th day of their stay in Malaysia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on November 26, announced the 30-day visa-free entry for China and India tourists, aiming to boost the nation’s economy and foster international relations. – December 5, 2023