After we shared the possibility of a Malaysia-Singapore travel bubble last May, the joint discussion between both governments has led to the reopening of Malaysia-Singapore borders on 17 August 2020! While the borders are currently open for travellers on business and official-related purposes, here's what you should know about the much-anticipated cross-border travel between Malaysia and Singapore.
1. The Malaysia-Singapore cross-border travel reopens on 17 August 2020
Credit: Hishammuddin Hussein on Facebook
- On July 2020, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan announced that both governments will be implementing the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) and Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL).
- The objective is to allow Malaysian and Singaporean travellers to cross borders for business and official purposes.
- The cross-border travel between Malaysia and Singapore officially reopens on 17 August 2020.
2. Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) is for work and business-related travel
- The Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) allows Singaporeans and Malaysians to travel for work and business-related purposes via the land border crossings at the Johor-Singapore Causeway and Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.
- Under this scheme, travellers with a valid pass would need to work in Malaysia or Singapore for at least 90 days before returning to their home country.
- The entry and exit between Singapore and Malaysia must be done via Woodlands Checkpoint or Tuas Checkpoint in Singapore and Southern Integrated Gateway in Malaysia.
- The application for PCA can only be applied by the employer on behalf of the employee.
- How to apply for PCA: Visit Safe Travel (Malaysians with a valid Singapore work pass) and Immigration Department of Malaysia (Singaporeans with Malaysia's Long Term Social Visit Pass).
3. Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) is for short-term business and essential travel
- The Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) allows Singaporeans and Malaysians to travel for short-term essential business and official travel from both countries.
- For RGL, travellers with a valid pass need to work in Malaysia or Singapore for at least 14 days before returning to their home country.
- RGL only applies for travel between Singapore and Malaysia airports with non-stop flight route or land checkpoints.
- The RGL applicant must be sponsored by either a Singapore or Malaysia-based company or government agency.
- How to apply for RGL: Visit Safe Travel (Malaysian business and official travellers) or Immigration Department of Malaysia (Singaporean business and official travellers).
4. Only employers or sponsors can apply for PCA and RGL on behalf of their employees
If you're a Malaysian travelling to Singapore
Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA)
- Singapore-based companies must submit an online application on behalf of their employees at least 7 calendar days before departure.
- This application will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis and there is an eligible quota of 2,000 slots per day
- Their employees must be a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident, has a valid long-term pass for business and work purposes in Singapore as well as willing to spend at least 90 days in Singapore before returning to Malaysia.
- For more information, you can read the full application process here.
Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL)
- Business or official travellers under RGL must be sponsored by a Singapore-based company or government agency.
- This application will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis and there is an eligible quota of 400 slots per week
- The company or agency must also apply for a SafeTravel Pass on behalf of the applicant via this website.
- Without SafeTravel Pass, the applicant will not be allowed to enter Singapore.
- Once the application for SafeTravel Pass has been approved, the applicant may proceed to apply for a visa to travel to Singapore.
- The applicant must also electronically submit pre-trip health and travel history declarations as well as stating the accommodation in Singapore via SG Arrival Card.
If you're a Singaporean travelling to Malaysia
Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA)
- Malaysia-based companies must submit an online application for MyTravelPass on behalf of their employees at least 10 working days before departure.
- The company will receive the approval for their employee's MyTravelPass 3 days before departure
- Malaysian employers must upload the following documents: employer's letter of appointment, employee's passport copies and travel itinerary (including flight or vehicle details and accommodation)
- In the application, the employer must also state the date and duration of relief to be given to the employee (2-4 weeks) to return to their home country
Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL)
- Malaysia-based sponsor enterprise or government agency must submit an online application for MyTravelPass on behalf of the applicant at least 10 working days before departure
- Sponsors need to provide the following documents: letter of invitation, traveller's passport copy, traveller's business or official tentative program and traveller's proof of non-residential accommodation
- The sponsor will receive the approval for the applicant's MyTravelPass 24 hours before departure
5. You need to take a COVID test and self-isolate as part of PCA and RGL regulation
Credit: Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia on Facebook
- Before departing to Malaysia or Singapore, travellers must take a COVID-19 PCR swab test 72 hours before departure and the results must be presented upon arrival
- P.S. If you're a Malaysian travelling to Singapore, you need to complete the electronic Health Declaration Card too.
- Travellers would also need to undergo compulsory medical screening at the immigration clearance and a second COVID-19 PCR swab test (the cost is borne by the employee)
- Employers will then transport the employees to declared accommodation where they will self-isolate (maximum 48 hours) until the second test result is out
- If the result is negative, they will proceed to work. If the result is positive, they will be sent to the government hospital for treatment.
- To ease contact tracing, they need to download the following apps: MySejahtera (Malaysia) or TraceTogether, Homer and WhatsApp (Singapore)
6. You can use the EZ-Link x Touch 'N Go card for cross-border travel
- Launched on 17 August 2020, the EZ-Link x Touch 'n Go Motoring Card is a dual-currency (SGD and MYR) cross-border contactless smart card
- While it's designed for Singapore motorists travelling to Malaysia, it can be used in Malaysia too.
- Singaporean motorists can use this card to pay selected car park fees, Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and checkpoint toll charges in Singapore
- In Malaysia, this card can be used to pay for highway tolls, checkpoint toll charges, parking fees, bus fare, MRT fees as well as retail and dining acceptance points
- Do note that an Autopass card is still required for all foreign vehicles entering Singapore.
- The Autopass card serves as an electronic Vehicle Entry Permit for foreign cards and motorcycles and is used to record a vehicle's entry into Singapore and to pay all entry and exit fees when the vehicle is driven out of Singapore. Click here to read more about Autopass card.
While the cross-border travel between Malaysia and Singapore is currently open to travellers on business and official-related travels, we remain hopeful that we're one step closer to leisure travel between these two exciting countries when the time is right.