Singapore has long been one of the most popular travel destinations in the world as it has visa-free agreements with many countries including Malaysia. Citizens in Malaysia and Singapore used to travel frequently before the COVID-19 epidemic.
The authority introduced a series of COVID-related restrictions for cross-border trips, such as Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF), negative Pre-Departure Tests or COVID-19 travel insurance. As the global epidemic situation is getting stable and improved, all Covid-related entry requirements were lifted on 13 February 2023. It’s time to restart your travel from Malaysia to Singapore.
In this post, we will go through an ultimate guide to travel to Singapore from Malaysia, covering Singapore entry requirements, preparation and different ways of traveling.
Singapore Entry Requirements
Cross-border trips pose stricter requirements than domestic trips. Before you travel to Singapore from Malaysia, you should check the following restrictions.
Passport
Malaysian citizens have to apply to the Malaysian authority for a passport and it must have a minimum 6 months validity. First-time applicants must personally go to Immigration Offices to submit applications.
Passport photos
The first thing you need to do is to prepare two passport photos. The biometric photos must strictly comply with the Malaysia passport photo requirements in case of rejection. Although there is a facial live capture tool at the counter, you can take beautiful ones in studios or at home. For studios, just google on the Internet and find one in the neighborhood. If there is no studio or you want to save time and money, you can choose AiPassportPhotos, an AI-powered online photo maker that promises to provide Malaysia passport photos with 100% compliance for users.
Identity Card
Applicants must show their MyKad. If not, a temporary Identity Card and birth certificate should be included. An Army Identification Card or Police Identification Card is also required (if any).
Fill the form
With all the certificates prepared, you need to fill in Form Im.42-pin 1/97 which is available at immigration offices or official website.
Visa
When traveling from Malaysia to Singapore, Malaysians don’t need a visa for short trips of up to 30 days, but those who hold passports issued by visa-required countries or travel for the purpose of work or study must apply for a visa. Check the visa-required countries on ICA website or read this post to learn more about various types of Singapore visas.
Visa photos
Visa photos are as important as passport photos. The standard ones should comply with:
- Size: 1.33 x 1.71 mm (400 x 514 px)
- Resolution: 300 dpi
- File type: JPEG
- The head takes up 74% of the whole image.
- The blank area overhead should account for 9%.
- Background color: white
- Photo Color: colored
- Lighting: the portrait should be evenly lit without shadows.
- Keep the head in the center and look directly to the camera
- Keep the mouth closed and eyes open.
- Top of the head to the shoulder should be visible.
- The photo should be taken within the last 3 months.
If you think it is too troublesome to check whether your photo meets the requirements one by one, you can also turn to AiPassportPhotos Singapore visa maker.
Form 14A & Form V39 A
Visit ICA website to download the template of the required forms. Form 14A is used to gather the applicant’s general information and Form V39 A for local contact in Singapore.
Copy of the bio-data page on the passport
Applicants must attach the bio-data page (usually the first two pages) on the passport to the visa application so as to confirm their identity The passport should be valid for a minimum 6 months starting from the date of entry into Singapore.
SGAC
SGAC, referring to the Singapore Arrival Card, is a must-apply certificate for Malaysia to Singapore except for Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders through land checkpoints. It is an electric permission linked to the passport. Information on SGAC must be 100% consistent with that on the passport. Dual passport holders must ensure to use the same passport at customs as the online application.
Most applications would be approved within 2-5 days and travelers must enter Singapore within 3 days after the approval. Please arrange your schedule properly.
Application instructions
Applying for Singapore SGAC takes a few steps entirely online as follows.
- Check whether your Malaysian passport is within validity (minimum 6 months from the date of entry from Malaysia to Singapore)
- Fill up the application form online at sgvisitcard.com, including all necessary personal information like name, gender, country of birth, date of birth, country of citizenship and sometimes.
- Provide documents as required like passport information, contact information and travel plans.
- Review and confirm payment.
- Receive approval confirmation. Make sure to offer a valid email to receive the card.
Security and Clearance Check
Getting across the border must comply with the local laws and regulations. Make sure that no prohibited items are brought while packaging the luggage.
Secondly, you should get acquainted with the clearance procedures. Go automatic customs clearance if eligible.
Last but not least, make sure you have sufficient cash and a permit for your trip. Never overstay in Singapore.
Restricted items
- Chewing gum (excluding dental and medicated gum)
- Chewing tobacco and related items like electronic cigarettes, pistol-shape cigarette lighters
- Restricted drugs and psychotropic ones
- Firecrackers
- Obscene publications in printed or digital form
- Counterfeit products, etc.
Ways to Travel to Singapore from Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is about 350km away from Singapore City, the capital of Singapore. It is popular to travel from Malaysia to Singapore by air, car or ferry. Now let’s see the advantages and disadvantages of different methods.
The fastest: Travel to Singapore from Malaysia by Air
If you don’t want to waste too much time on the way, taking an airplane is definitely the fastest way to reach Singapore. The journey takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Travelers often land at the Singapore Changi Airport which is considered one of the top airports around the world and equipped with shopping malls and resort areas.
Although your trip in the air is within 1 hour, the problem is that you need to spend more time reaching the Kuala Lumpur Airport (59km from the City Center) and waiting at security check, baggage claim and immigration.
The Most Convenient: Travel to Singapore from Malaysia by Land
Overland travel from Malaysia to Singapore includes bus, self-driving and train.
Taking a bus is probably the cheapest way. It will take 6-8 hours to arrive. So even if there are comfortable seats, air-conditioners and sometimes TV and wifi, it is still a long and suffering trip.
Traveling by train across countries is an interesting experience, but it requires two transfers: KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur – Gemas, Gemas to JB Sentral in Johor Bahru and finally to Woodlands, Singapore. The whole journey takes about 7-9 hours. Transfers might be troublesome. If you are a lover of train travel, just try it.
If you are fed up with the troublesome transfer and public transportation schedules, driving your own car from Malaysia to Singapore is the most comfortable and convenient way. You can choose the most suitable route, decide when and where to stop and get rid of carrying the luggage during the 4-5 hours of driving.
The biggest drawback is that you have to upgrade your license to an international one to drive a Malaysian car in Singapore or you have to pay for leaving your car at a parking lot near the Singapore-Malaysia border.
Wrap Up
It is definitely hassle-free to travel from Malaysia to Singapore, no matter from the perspective of preparation before the trip or ways of traveling. All you need is to follow the instructions above. Once everything is done, just pack your luggage and expect your trip with friends and family.
Dolores Xiao