Crossing the Causeway or the Second Link with family or friends? Fill in your travel date, direction and each traveller below, and this checklist tells you who needs the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), who needs the SG Arrival Card, whether every passport is valid long enough, and which customs rules apply on the way back.
It's a planning aid built from the official rules, not legal advice. Each rule links to the government page it comes from, so you can check the official site before you travel.
This is a reminder tool, not an official form
Nothing you type here is sent to ICA or Malaysian Immigration. It only works out what each traveller needs. You still have to submit the SG Arrival Card and MDAC yourself on the official government websites:
These are the rules the checklist uses. Immigration and customs rules can change at short notice, so treat this as a summary and check the official site before you travel.
Passport validity: the 6-month rule
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Singapore passports must be valid for more than 6 months when entering Malaysia, and Malaysia's own missions ask the same of other visitors. Coming the other way, ICA says all travellers except Singapore passport holders must have a passport with at least 6 months' validity to enter Singapore.
A Malaysian returning to Malaysia, or a Singaporean returning to Singapore, needs a valid passport. On a return trip, check the date of each crossing: a passport that's fine on the way out can fall short on the way back.
Foreign visitors to Malaysia submit the MDAC online within 3 days before arrival, on the Immigration Department of Malaysia's portal. It's free there. Singapore citizens are exempt at all entry points, as are Malaysian permanent residents and long-term pass holders and a few other groups. Malaysians don't need it.
A Singapore PR or work pass holder with another country's passport still needs the MDAC, and may also need a visa depending on nationality. The exemption follows the passport, not the car. Singaporeans who want to enrol fingerprints for Malaysia's autogates can choose to submit it.
Visitors entering Singapore submit the SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival, counting the day of arrival. For an arrival on the 30th, you can submit from the 28th. It's free on the ICA website or the MyICA app. Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders don't need it.
At Woodlands and Tuas, car travellers can clear Singapore immigration by scanning a QR code from the MyICA app instead of handing over passports. One group code holds up to 10 people and must match everyone in the vehicle. First-time visitors, and anyone using a passport not used to enter Singapore before, show the passport that time. Carry passports anyway: Malaysia checks them on its side.
Singapore Customs gives GST import relief on new goods of up to S$100 per person after less than 48 hours away, or up to S$500 after 48 hours or more. Work permit, employment pass, student pass, dependant's pass and long-term pass holders aren't eligible. There's no duty-free alcohol for travellers arriving from Malaysia, and no duty-free concession or GST relief on cigarettes and tobacco, so declare them.
The Singapore Food Agency doesn't list Malaysia as an approved source of beef, pork, poultry or mutton for travellers, and that includes food containing meat. Up to 30 chicken shell eggs from West Malaysia are allowed, and other processed food up to 5 kg or 5 litres in total.
Every child needs their own passport, and their own MDAC or SG Arrival Card when their nationality requires one. In Singapore, the Traffic Police require passengers below 1.35 m to be secured by a child restraint suited to their height and weight, and Malaysia also requires child seats in private cars. Tell us how many children are travelling when you book and we'll fit the seats (SGD 10 / RM 35 each).
Book a private car between Singapore and Malaysia and stay in your seat through both checkpoints. The fare is per car and includes tolls, checkpoint fees, fuel and parking.
Do Singapore citizens need the MDAC to enter Malaysia?
No. Singapore citizens are exempt from the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card at all entry points, according to Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Singaporeans who want to enrol fingerprints for Malaysia's autogates can still choose to submit it 3 days before arrival.
Does a Singapore PR need the MDAC?
Yes, in most cases. The exemption follows the passport, so a Singapore PR travelling on another country's passport needs the MDAC unless they also hold Malaysian permanent residency or a Malaysian long-term pass. They may need a visa too, depending on nationality.
Do Malaysians need the SG Arrival Card?
Yes. Malaysian visitors entering Singapore submit the SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival, including the day of arrival. Malaysians who hold a Singapore long-term pass, such as a work pass, don't need it.
How long must my passport be valid?
For Malaysia, more than 6 months on the day you arrive. For Singapore, at least 6 months for everyone except Singapore passport holders. Citizens going home only need a valid passport. The checklist checks each date for you.
Can I bring duty-free alcohol or cigarettes back from Johor Bahru?
No. Singapore Customs gives no duty-free concession on alcohol for travellers arriving from Malaysia, and no duty-free concession or GST relief on cigarettes and tobacco. Declare them on Customs@SG or at the Red Channel and pay the duty and GST.
Do children need their own MDAC or SG Arrival Card?
Yes. Each traveller who needs the card needs their own submission, children included. Children also need their own passport.
Is the information I type saved or sent anywhere?
It stays in your browser. Your answers are saved on your own device so you can come back later, and nothing is sent to Luxway SGMY. Sharing on WhatsApp only happens when you tap the button, and you can clear everything at any time.
