To cross from Johor Bahru to Singapore in 2026 you clear Malaysian immigration first, then Singapore’s. On the Malaysian side, Malaysians can use QR codes (MyBorderPass and its successor MyNIISe) and Singapore passport holders do not need the MDAC arrival card. On the Singapore side, citizens, PRs, long-term pass holders and returning visitors can clear passport-free with a MyICA QR code at Woodlands and Tuas, while foreign visitors must submit the free SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival. From the RTS Link’s targeted February 2027 start, rail passengers will clear both countries once, at their departure station.
This JB–Singapore border crossing guide pulls together the current rules from Malaysia’s Immigration Department, Singapore’s ICA, the transport ministries and major news reports, as of November 2026. The Johor–Singapore crossing is one of the busiest land borders in the world: around 350,000 people use the Causeway every day, according to The Star, and ICA recorded a new daily high of more than 599,000 travellers across Woodlands and Tuas on 4 September 2026. Small things, such as having the right QR code ready, decide whether your crossing takes ten minutes or much longer. Below you will find who can use which lane, a quick table by traveller type, a step-by-step for first-timers, vehicle permits, the KTM Shuttle Tebrau, and what changes when the RTS Link opens next to Bukit Chagar.
How does the JB–Singapore border crossing work?
Every crossing has two separate immigration checks: Malaysia’s at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) CIQ complex on the Causeway, or the Sultan Abu Bakar complex (KSAB) at the Second Link, and Singapore’s at Woodlands Checkpoint or Tuas Checkpoint. If you are new to the term, our explainer on what CIQ stands for and how the Johor checkpoints work covers the layout.
Going to Singapore, you exit Malaysia at BSI or KSAB, cross the bridge, then enter Singapore. Coming back, you exit Singapore first and enter Malaysia at the Johor complex. Each country runs its own lanes and its own digital tools, which is why there are two apps to know: Malaysia’s MyNIISe (and the older MyBorderPass for Malaysians) and Singapore’s MyICA. You still need to carry a valid passport on every trip, even when you clear with a QR code.
- Causeway (BSI ↔ Woodlands): the main route, used by cars, motorcycles, buses and the KTM Shuttle Tebrau. It connects directly to JB city centre.
- Second Link (KSAB ↔ Tuas): the western route, usually used by drivers heading to western Singapore or Iskandar Puteri.
- RTS Link (Bukit Chagar ↔ Woodlands North): the cross-border rail line, targeted to start passenger service in February 2027, with co-located customs at both ends.
Malaysian side: MyBorderPass and MyNIISe QR clearance
Malaysia now offers QR-code clearance at both Johor land checkpoints, and since September 2025 it is open to Singaporeans and many foreign visitors, not only Malaysians. There are two systems, and it helps to know which one you are using.
MyBorderPass (Malaysians only)
MyBorderPass is the earlier Malaysian QR system, introduced in 2024 at BSI and KSAB as well as KLIA. According to Zafigo’s July 2025 explainer, it is for Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above with a valid Malaysian passport. You register in the MyBorderPass app by scanning your passport photo page, adding contact details, taking a selfie for facial matching and setting a PIN; drivers can add their vehicle. Each account covers one person, so a family needs one account each. Reports in early 2026 indicate the government intends MyNIISe to take over from the older QR systems, so frequent travellers should register for MyNIISe as well.
MyNIISe (Malaysians, Singaporeans and eligible foreigners)
MyNIISe is the app of Malaysia’s new National Integrated Immigration System. Its trial began at BSI and KSAB on 22 September 2025 for cars, and from 15 October 2025 it was extended to motorcycles, pedestrians and bus passengers in the motorcycle and bus halls, The Star reported. Key points:
- Who can use it: Malaysians, Singaporeans and travellers from 63 countries and territories for entry (71 for departure), per Mothership and The Star.
- Group QR: one QR code can cover a travel group or family, unlike MyBorderPass’s one-person-per-scan model.
- Where: dedicated lanes fitted with MyNIISe scanners at BSI and KSAB. The older MyBorderPass QR codes are not interchangeable, so scan each at its own machines.
- Uptake: by 28 June 2026 the app had 2.4 million downloads, 1.27 million registered users and more than 19.48 million QR transactions at BSI and KSAB, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said (Malay Mail, July 2026).
- Malaysian login: from 15 January 2026, Malaysian users log in with MyDigital ID, according to news reports.
Download MyNIISe from the Apple App Store, Google Play or Huawei AppGallery, register with your passport before your trip, and keep your physical passport with you.
Malaysian autogates and MDAC: who must fill the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card?
Singapore passport holders do not need to submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) at any entry point, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states. Most other foreign visitors must submit it online, free, within three days before arriving in Malaysia, for every visit.
MDAC exemptions and requirements
- Exempt: Singapore passport holders; Malaysian long-term pass holders; holders of the Brunei common identification certificate; holders of the Thai border pass (as announced by Malaysia’s Home Ministry when the MDAC began in December 2023).
- Must submit: other foreign nationals, through the Immigration Department’s MDAC page, no more than three days before arrival. There is no fee; avoid third-party sites that charge one.
- Singapore PRs: PR status is not listed as an MDAC exemption. A Singapore PR travelling on, say, an Indian or Chinese passport should plan to submit the MDAC unless their own nationality is exempt. Check the official imi.gov.my MDAC page before travelling.
- Malaysians never need the MDAC.
Can Singaporeans and foreigners use Malaysian autogates?
Yes. Singaporeans can use Malaysia’s e-gates and the MACS facility, which MFA notes is available only at the Johor land checkpoints, and passports are not stamped on the automated lanes. Malaysia has progressively widened autogate access to visitors from a list of low-risk countries. First-time users generally verify their passport at a manual counter before using the gates on later trips. MFA also advises Singaporeans who plan to enrol fingerprints for the e-gates to submit the MDAC three days before arrival, even though they are otherwise exempt.
Quick table: what you need by traveller type
The fastest route depends on your passport and status. Use this table as a checklist before your first JB–Singapore border crossing.
| Traveller | Malaysian side (entering or leaving Johor) | Malaysia MDAC | Singapore side (Woodlands / Tuas) | SG Arrival Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore citizen | MyNIISe QR lanes, or e-gate/MACS after first registration | Not required | MyICA QR (passport-free) or automated lanes | Not required at land checkpoints |
| Singapore PR | Depends on passport nationality: MyNIISe if eligible, or counter/autogate | Required unless your nationality is exempt | MyICA QR (passport-free) or automated lanes | Not required at land checkpoints |
| Malaysian | MyNIISe or MyBorderPass QR, or autogate with passport | Not applicable | MyICA QR if a returning visitor or pass holder; otherwise counter | Required unless you hold a Singapore long-term pass |
| Other foreign visitor | MyNIISe if nationality eligible; counter on first visit | Required (within 3 days before arrival) | Counter on first entry with that passport; MyICA QR on later trips | Required (within 3 days before arrival) |
Sources: MFA Singapore, ICA, Malaysia Home Ministry announcements as reported by Malay Mail, The Star and Mothership. Rules change, so confirm on the official sites before travelling.
Singapore side: passport-free QR clearance at Woodlands and Tuas
At Woodlands and Tuas, you can clear immigration by scanning a QR code from the MyICA app instead of handing over your passport. ICA rolled this out for cars from March 2024, extended it to motorcycles from 15 August 2024 and to the bus halls from 16 December 2024. Between March 2024 and March 2025, more than 50.3 million travellers used QR codes at the land checkpoints, including about 70% of all car travellers, ICA said.
Who can use MyICA QR clearance
- Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders.
- Foreign visitors who have entered Singapore before on the same passport. First-time foreign visitors, and anyone using a new passport for the first time, must present the passport in person once.
- It works for cars, motorcycles, lorries and buses. In cars, one group QR code can cover several travellers (ICA’s 2025 fact sheet cites groups of up to 10 in car zones).
If you renew your passport, update your MyICA profile before generating a new QR code, and check the code’s expiry date in the app before you set off.
SG Arrival Card for non-residents
Foreign visitors must submit the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with health declaration through the ICA website or MyICA app, free, no earlier than three days before arrival. Singapore citizens, PRs and long-term pass holders entering through land checkpoints are exempt. ICA introduced an enhanced SGAC on 30 September 2026: update MyICA to the latest version, and note that drivers of foreign-registered cars need a valid VEP to complete the submission.
Automated lanes and what is coming at Tuas
Automated lanes in the passenger halls use biometrics, so you must have your biometric identifiers enrolled with ICA or MOM. ICA also announced in May 2026 that its Automated Passenger Clearance System, which lets car and cargo-vehicle occupants self-clear without leaving the vehicle, will be introduced progressively at Tuas from early 2027 and later at the redeveloped Woodlands Checkpoint.
Step-by-step: your first JB–Singapore crossing
First-timers usually lose time on preparation, not at the counter. Follow these steps in order.
- Check your passport. Singapore requires at least six months’ validity; Malaysia’s land checkpoints generally require at least three to six months depending on your status, so six months keeps you safe on both sides.
- Submit arrival cards if they apply to you. Foreign visitors: the MDAC for Malaysia and the SGAC for Singapore, each within three days before arrival. Singapore citizens are exempt from both at land checkpoints.
- Install and register the apps. MyNIISe for the Malaysian side; MyICA for the Singapore side. Register at home on Wi-Fi with your passport in hand.
- Generate your QR codes before you reach the checkpoint. Use a group QR if you travel with family.
- Choose your mode. Bus from JB Sentral or BSI, KTM Shuttle Tebrau, car, or motorcycle. Our RTS vs bus vs driving commute comparison explains the trade-offs.
- Clear Malaysia at BSI or KSAB. Scan your QR at a MyNIISe lane, or use the autogate or counter if this is your first visit.
- Clear Singapore at Woodlands or Tuas. Scan your MyICA QR at the self-scan points, or queue at a counter on your first entry with a new passport.
- Carry your physical passport throughout, and keep a little Singapore and Malaysian currency or a working payment card for buses and tolls.
Driving across: VEP rules for Singapore and Malaysian cars
Singapore-registered cars need Malaysia’s Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) with an RFID tag to enter Malaysia, and Malaysian-registered cars need Singapore’s VEP to drive into Singapore. Both sides enforce their rules.
Singapore cars entering Malaysia
- Register for the VEP and install the RFID tag. The tag costs RM10 and is valid for five years, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said in 2024.
- Enforcement with summonses started on 1 July 2025. Driving without a VEP is compoundable at RM300; offenders cannot leave Malaysia until the summons is settled (Malay Mail, June 2025). JPJ had issued 3,910 summonses by October 2025, paultan.org reported.
- Motorcycles and some company vehicles were temporarily exempt when enforcement began; check JPJ for the current status.
Malaysian cars entering Singapore
- Foreign-registered cars need a Singapore VEP, paid through an Autopass card. The fee is S$35 a day for cars and S$4 for motorcycles in 2026, rising to S$50 and S$7 from 1 January 2027 (LTA, February 2026).
- Until 31 December 2026, no VEP fee is charged on weekends and Singapore public holidays, during the free weekday hours (5pm to 2am), or on your 10 free VEP days a year; foreign cars without an in-vehicle unit also pay S$5 a day during ERP hours. From 1 January 2027, the VEP fee applies on all days except weekends and Singapore public holidays: LTA is removing both the 10 free VEP days and the free weekday VEP hours. Foreign vehicles without an ERP2 on-board unit will instead pay a flat ERP fee of S$10 (cars) or S$3 (motorcycles) per ERP operational day (LTA, 6 February 2026).
- From 2 November 2026, foreign-registered vehicles with unpaid traffic, parking or emissions fines cannot apply for or renew a VEP and will be refused entry, ICA said.
KTM Shuttle Tebrau and buses
The KTM Shuttle Tebrau is a five-minute train between JB Sentral and Woodlands Train Checkpoint, with immigration at both stations. Mothership reported fares of RM5 from Johor and S$5 from Singapore. The service is expected to end about six months after the RTS Link opens, according to reports citing Johor officials, with the trains redeployed to local routes.
Cross-border buses run from JB Sentral and the BSI bus hall to Woodlands and beyond. Commuters interviewed by The Star in 2026 described paying about S$2.60 one way and morning waits of up to an hour in the BSI bus hall at peak times, which is why many leave before 6am.
What changes with the RTS Link
The RTS Link replaces two separate immigration stops with a single clearance at your departure station. Immigration facilities for both countries are co-located at Bukit Chagar and Woodlands North, so passengers clear Malaysia and Singapore before boarding and walk straight out on arrival, The Star reported in October 2026.
- Start: passenger service targeted for February 2027, subject to safety certification (LTA–MOT, October 2026).
- Journey: about five to six minutes over the 4 km line; up to 10,000 passengers per hour per direction.
- Clearance tech: Malaysia plans to run MyNIISe at the Bukit Chagar CIQ, with 220 autogates integrated on the platform (Malay Mail, May 2026).
- Fare: not yet announced.
Our RTS Link latest news tracker follows the opening date and fare, and the Bukit Chagar station walking guide shows how to reach the station on foot. If you want to plan around busy dates, see our Causeway jam calendar for 2027.
For people who cross often, where you live in JB matters as much as which app you use. Causewayz Square in Bukit Chagar sits about 600 m from the BSI CIQ and about 800 m from the RTS Bukit Chagar station, and the developer has proposed a pedestrian link bridge towards the CIQ and RTS. Being within walking distance of both crossings gives residents a simple, predictable commute and broad rental appeal to Singapore-bound tenants. WhatsApp us for the latest SPA price list and floor plans.
Sources
- MFA Singapore: Malaysia travel page (MDAC, MACS, VEP)
- ICA: Use of QR code for immigration clearance at Woodlands and Tuas
- ICA (Ask Gov): When to submit the SG Arrival Card, and exemptions
- Mothership: Singaporeans can use MyNIISe QR at Johor checkpoints (Sep 2025)
- Malay Mail: MyNIISe hits 2.4 million downloads, 19.48 million QR scans (Jul 2026)
- LTA: Revised VEP and GVP fees from 1 January 2027 (Feb 2026)
- Malay Mail: Malaysia VEP enforcement from 1 July 2025
- The Star: JB–Singapore RTS Link set to be ready next February (Oct 2026)
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Border rules change often; always confirm with ICA and the Malaysian Immigration Department before travelling.