SINGAPORE: For the first time in two years, fully vaccinated people in Singapore and Malaysia will be able to cross the land border by private transport.
Both countries will ease their travel restrictions from Friday (Apr 1), allowing travellers to drive their cars or ride their motorcycles across the Causeway and Second Link.
They can also choose to use designated vaccinated travel bus services while Singapore and Malaysia work to restore cross-border public bus services.
Here's what travellers need to have on hand before making their trips:
Q: What documents, mobile apps do I need?
While you dust off your passport, ensure that it is valid for at least six months.
If you're travelling to Malaysia, you'll need to download, register and activate the MySejahtera application on your mobile phone. This is what Malaysia uses to check your vaccination status and facilitate contact tracing.
The equivalent in Singapore is the TraceTogether app.
For non-Singapore residents who don't already have TraceTogether, note that your profile on the app has to contain the same identification number, nationality and date of birth as shown in the passport you are using to enter Singapore.
Q: Why do I need the apps?
The apps contain proof of one's COVID-19 vaccination status, which is required at immigration to enter the country.
It is also needed for people to check in to places such as malls, restaurants and hotels.
Q: Do I need entry cards?
Yes. For entry to Singapore, all travellers - including Singapore citizens permanent residents and long-term pass holders - are required to complete their SG arrival card within three days before arriving at the checkpoints, according to the SafeTravel website.
The SG arrival card, along with its electronic health declaration, will facilitate the submission of personal information, trip details and health declaration by all travellers seeking entry to Singapore.
On Malaysia's side, there are no entry cards required at the land border.
Q: How do I verify my vaccination status?
For travellers to Malaysia with digital vaccination certificates issued overseas, ensure that you have verified your digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate on Malaysia's MySafeTravel portal before departure.
(Tip: After receiving a confirmation email, it will be useful to print a hard copy should you be required to produce it at the checkpoint.)
Once you have verified your vaccination status on the MySafeTravel portal, check that the details have been reflected on the MySejahtera app.
Alternatively, travellers can update their vaccination status on the MySejahtera app via the "traveller" icon.
Just in case - it may be useful to bring along a hard copy of your Singapore vaccination certificate, generated via notarise.
The requirements are similar for Singapore - travellers should upload their digitally verifiable vaccination certificates as part of their SG arrival card.
Travellers will then be granted temporary vaccinated status lasting about 30 days. This will be reflected in their TraceTogether app.
Q: What are the COVID-19 vaccinations and certificates accepted by Malaysia?
Travellers must have completed a full regimen of a COVID-19 vaccine recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be allowed entry to Malaysia.
Children aged 12 and below will be allowed to enter Malaysia without the need to show proof of vaccination, said the country's Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Note that travellers who received either the Sinovac or Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines are considered fully vaccinated only if they got three doses.
Details of the accepted COVID-19 vaccines and doses recognised by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health are as follows:
A graphic of the acceptable COVID-19 vaccines and dose(s) to travel into Malaysia. (Photo: Facebook/Malaysia Ministry of health)
In Malaysia, those who are 18 years old and above are considered fully vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines - even without a booster.
Those who are aged 60 and above, however, are required to get a third dose of the vaccine (booster) to keep their fully vaccinated status.
Q: What are the COVID-19 vaccinations and certificates accepted by Singapore?
Similarly, travellers must have completed a full regimen of a COVID-19 vaccine recognised by WHO to be able to enter Singapore. They also have to meet the minimum dose interval period at least two weeks before arriving in the country.
A screengrab of the acceptable COVID-19 vaccines and dose(s) to travel into Singapore. (Photo: Immigration and Checkpoints Authority)
For travellers who want to have their vaccination records ingested into the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) beyond their temporary vaccinated status period, they can do so, depending on what vaccination they had taken.
"Travellers who entered Singapore with Sinovac/Sinopharm as part of their vaccination will be required to have a minimum number of three vaccination doses if they want to be eligible for vaccination-differentiated measures beyond four months from the date of their second dose," said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on its website.
A full list of accepted three-dose combinations involving Sinovac/Sinopharm and other WHO-EUL vaccines can be found here.
If a traveller had contracted COVID-19 before being vaccinated, he or she must have received at least one dose of any WHO-EUL vaccine at least 28 days from their first COVID-19 infection.
They must also be able to produce proof of their positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
Q: Road Charge - how much will travellers pay to enter Malaysia?
Malaysia’s Road Charge is a levy imposed on all non-Malaysian-registered cars entering Malaysia on road via Johor.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport has confirmed that all motorists with Singapore-registered vehicles are required to pay a Road Charge (RC) of RM20 (S$6.40) for entry at Malaysia’s land checkpoints - either at the Woodlands Causeway or Tuas Second Link.
However, this fee will be waived between Apr 1 and Apr 7, given that the land borders have been closed for more than two years so Singaporeans have not been able to enter Malaysia to top up their Touch ‘n Go cards.
Travellers from Singapore may also consider buying the EZ-Link x Touch 'n Go card, which is a dual-currency card designed for Singapore motorists travelling to Malaysia.
Do note that from Apr 8, travellers must ensure that their Touch 'n Go cards are valid with enough money in them to make payment, in order to prevent congestion and delays at the checkpoints.
Q: Do I need to apply for Malaysia's Vehicle Entry Permit?
It is currently not yet mandatory to apply for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), although Malaysia's Ministry of Transport has reminded motorists with Singapore-registered vehicles to register for the VEP on this website.
Vehicles that have been registered will then be fitted with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, tied to an e-wallet Touch 'n Go application.
Singapore vehicles that have been fitted with the RFID-VEP must ensure that there is enough balance in their e-wallets to pay for the Road Charge.
Q: What about Singapore's VEP?
Those driving foreign-registered vehicles into Singapore must ensure they have a valid VEP/Autopass card
Applications can be done online, on the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) OneMotoring website.
Drivers must also have a valid road tax and certificate of insurance for the vehicle.
The Autopass Card, which has a validity period of 14 days, serves as an electronic VEP for foreign cars and motorcycles. It is used to record a vehicle’s entry to Singapore and to pay for all entry and exit fees.
Drivers of foreign-registered vehicles must receive LTA’s VEP approval email before they travel.
Those without Autopass cards must collect theirs at LTA’s Johor Bahru Service Centre (34, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Susur 1, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor) before entering Singapore.
"They will not be allowed to apply for VEP/Autopass cards or update their road tax and motor insurance for their existing Autopass cards at Singapore’s land checkpoints," said LTA.
Travellers are encouraged to plan their trips at least two weeks ahead to allow enough time for the VEP application and approval process.
An Autopass Card is sold at S$10, with a pre-loaded cash value of S$4 and a non-refundable card cost of S$6, said LTA on its website.
The entry and exit toll charges, VEP fees and reciprocal road charges are in the tables below:
A graphic depicting the requirements for Malaysia-registered cars or motorcycles to drive into and out of Singapore. (Photo: Land Transport Authority)
A graphic depicting the charges for foreign-registered cars when driving into and out of Singapore. (Graphic : Land Transport Authority)
A graphic depicting the charges for foreign-registered motorcycles when driving into and out of Singapore. (Graphic : Land Transport Authority)
Q: Do I need to buy travel insurance?
According to Malaysia’s MySafeTravel website, all short-term foreign visitors entering Malaysia from Apr 1 are required to have COVID-19 travel insurance for their COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs in Malaysia.
It must have a minimum coverage of US$20,000.
This applies to all short-term visitors regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination or recovery status. The insurance should be purchased before travelling to Malaysia either from Malaysia-based or overseas insurers.
Likewise, all short-term visitors to Singapore must purchase travel insurance for their COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs.
The travel insurance must have a minimum coverage of S$30,000 (US$22,000).
This is a requirement regardless of the traveller’s vaccination or recovery status, as there is still a risk that they can get a COVID-19 infection and require medical attention, said ICA.
Travellers should get such insurance before travelling and prepare an electronic or physical copy of their insurance policy to facilitate their entry into Singapore, it added.
Singapore citizens and permanent residents don't need to purchase COVID-19 travel insurance as they are able to access government subsidies and MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans to help pay for their medical bills, if they develop symptoms within 14 days of their return.
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Both countries will ease their travel restrictions from Friday (Apr 1), allowing travellers to drive their cars or ride their motorcycles across the Causeway and Second Link.
They can also choose to use designated vaccinated travel bus services while Singapore and Malaysia work to restore cross-border public bus services.
Here's what travellers need to have on hand before making their trips:
Q: What documents, mobile apps do I need?
While you dust off your passport, ensure that it is valid for at least six months.
If you're travelling to Malaysia, you'll need to download, register and activate the MySejahtera application on your mobile phone. This is what Malaysia uses to check your vaccination status and facilitate contact tracing.
The equivalent in Singapore is the TraceTogether app.
For non-Singapore residents who don't already have TraceTogether, note that your profile on the app has to contain the same identification number, nationality and date of birth as shown in the passport you are using to enter Singapore.
Q: Why do I need the apps?
The apps contain proof of one's COVID-19 vaccination status, which is required at immigration to enter the country.
It is also needed for people to check in to places such as malls, restaurants and hotels.
Q: Do I need entry cards?
Yes. For entry to Singapore, all travellers - including Singapore citizens permanent residents and long-term pass holders - are required to complete their SG arrival card within three days before arriving at the checkpoints, according to the SafeTravel website.
The SG arrival card, along with its electronic health declaration, will facilitate the submission of personal information, trip details and health declaration by all travellers seeking entry to Singapore.
On Malaysia's side, there are no entry cards required at the land border.
Q: How do I verify my vaccination status?
For travellers to Malaysia with digital vaccination certificates issued overseas, ensure that you have verified your digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate on Malaysia's MySafeTravel portal before departure.
(Tip: After receiving a confirmation email, it will be useful to print a hard copy should you be required to produce it at the checkpoint.)
Once you have verified your vaccination status on the MySafeTravel portal, check that the details have been reflected on the MySejahtera app.
Alternatively, travellers can update their vaccination status on the MySejahtera app via the "traveller" icon.
Just in case - it may be useful to bring along a hard copy of your Singapore vaccination certificate, generated via notarise.
The requirements are similar for Singapore - travellers should upload their digitally verifiable vaccination certificates as part of their SG arrival card.
Travellers will then be granted temporary vaccinated status lasting about 30 days. This will be reflected in their TraceTogether app.
Related:
Q: What are the COVID-19 vaccinations and certificates accepted by Malaysia?
Travellers must have completed a full regimen of a COVID-19 vaccine recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be allowed entry to Malaysia.
Children aged 12 and below will be allowed to enter Malaysia without the need to show proof of vaccination, said the country's Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Note that travellers who received either the Sinovac or Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines are considered fully vaccinated only if they got three doses.
Details of the accepted COVID-19 vaccines and doses recognised by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health are as follows:
A graphic of the acceptable COVID-19 vaccines and dose(s) to travel into Malaysia. (Photo: Facebook/Malaysia Ministry of health)
In Malaysia, those who are 18 years old and above are considered fully vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines - even without a booster.
Those who are aged 60 and above, however, are required to get a third dose of the vaccine (booster) to keep their fully vaccinated status.
Q: What are the COVID-19 vaccinations and certificates accepted by Singapore?
Similarly, travellers must have completed a full regimen of a COVID-19 vaccine recognised by WHO to be able to enter Singapore. They also have to meet the minimum dose interval period at least two weeks before arriving in the country.
A screengrab of the acceptable COVID-19 vaccines and dose(s) to travel into Singapore. (Photo: Immigration and Checkpoints Authority)
For travellers who want to have their vaccination records ingested into the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) beyond their temporary vaccinated status period, they can do so, depending on what vaccination they had taken.
"Travellers who entered Singapore with Sinovac/Sinopharm as part of their vaccination will be required to have a minimum number of three vaccination doses if they want to be eligible for vaccination-differentiated measures beyond four months from the date of their second dose," said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on its website.
A full list of accepted three-dose combinations involving Sinovac/Sinopharm and other WHO-EUL vaccines can be found here.
If a traveller had contracted COVID-19 before being vaccinated, he or she must have received at least one dose of any WHO-EUL vaccine at least 28 days from their first COVID-19 infection.
They must also be able to produce proof of their positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
Q: Road Charge - how much will travellers pay to enter Malaysia?
Malaysia’s Road Charge is a levy imposed on all non-Malaysian-registered cars entering Malaysia on road via Johor.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport has confirmed that all motorists with Singapore-registered vehicles are required to pay a Road Charge (RC) of RM20 (S$6.40) for entry at Malaysia’s land checkpoints - either at the Woodlands Causeway or Tuas Second Link.
However, this fee will be waived between Apr 1 and Apr 7, given that the land borders have been closed for more than two years so Singaporeans have not been able to enter Malaysia to top up their Touch ‘n Go cards.
Travellers from Singapore may also consider buying the EZ-Link x Touch 'n Go card, which is a dual-currency card designed for Singapore motorists travelling to Malaysia.
Do note that from Apr 8, travellers must ensure that their Touch 'n Go cards are valid with enough money in them to make payment, in order to prevent congestion and delays at the checkpoints.
Q: Do I need to apply for Malaysia's Vehicle Entry Permit?
It is currently not yet mandatory to apply for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), although Malaysia's Ministry of Transport has reminded motorists with Singapore-registered vehicles to register for the VEP on this website.
Vehicles that have been registered will then be fitted with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, tied to an e-wallet Touch 'n Go application.
Singapore vehicles that have been fitted with the RFID-VEP must ensure that there is enough balance in their e-wallets to pay for the Road Charge.
Related:
Q: What about Singapore's VEP?
Those driving foreign-registered vehicles into Singapore must ensure they have a valid VEP/Autopass card
Applications can be done online, on the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) OneMotoring website.
Drivers must also have a valid road tax and certificate of insurance for the vehicle.
The Autopass Card, which has a validity period of 14 days, serves as an electronic VEP for foreign cars and motorcycles. It is used to record a vehicle’s entry to Singapore and to pay for all entry and exit fees.
Drivers of foreign-registered vehicles must receive LTA’s VEP approval email before they travel.
Those without Autopass cards must collect theirs at LTA’s Johor Bahru Service Centre (34, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Susur 1, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor) before entering Singapore.
"They will not be allowed to apply for VEP/Autopass cards or update their road tax and motor insurance for their existing Autopass cards at Singapore’s land checkpoints," said LTA.
Travellers are encouraged to plan their trips at least two weeks ahead to allow enough time for the VEP application and approval process.
An Autopass Card is sold at S$10, with a pre-loaded cash value of S$4 and a non-refundable card cost of S$6, said LTA on its website.
The entry and exit toll charges, VEP fees and reciprocal road charges are in the tables below:
A graphic depicting the requirements for Malaysia-registered cars or motorcycles to drive into and out of Singapore. (Photo: Land Transport Authority)
A graphic depicting the charges for foreign-registered cars when driving into and out of Singapore. (Graphic : Land Transport Authority)
A graphic depicting the charges for foreign-registered motorcycles when driving into and out of Singapore. (Graphic : Land Transport Authority)
Q: Do I need to buy travel insurance?
According to Malaysia’s MySafeTravel website, all short-term foreign visitors entering Malaysia from Apr 1 are required to have COVID-19 travel insurance for their COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs in Malaysia.
It must have a minimum coverage of US$20,000.
This applies to all short-term visitors regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination or recovery status. The insurance should be purchased before travelling to Malaysia either from Malaysia-based or overseas insurers.
Likewise, all short-term visitors to Singapore must purchase travel insurance for their COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs.
The travel insurance must have a minimum coverage of S$30,000 (US$22,000).
This is a requirement regardless of the traveller’s vaccination or recovery status, as there is still a risk that they can get a COVID-19 infection and require medical attention, said ICA.
Travellers should get such insurance before travelling and prepare an electronic or physical copy of their insurance policy to facilitate their entry into Singapore, it added.
Singapore citizens and permanent residents don't need to purchase COVID-19 travel insurance as they are able to access government subsidies and MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans to help pay for their medical bills, if they develop symptoms within 14 days of their return.
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Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
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