✍ 10 Mar 2024. If you are a regular Johor Bahru day tripper on foot from Singapore, get MACS 2.0. MACS means Malaysia Automated Clearance System. It will let you enjoy scan-and-go at the Malaysian Immigration auto clearance e-gates, saving you from the manual clearance queue 🕺
Registration is a breeze. Once done (only need to register once), you can use MACS every time you clear Johor immigration.
Fill up the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card. You can do this three days before arriving in Johor Bahru. Most people take about 5 minutes to fill this form using their smartphone.
Once submitted successfully, MDAC system will auto reply your submission to your provided email address. Reply usually comes in less than 5 minutes, if not instantly.
The MDAC is free of charge.
Step 2
Report to the MDAC registration counter at the arrival hall of Johor Bahru Malaysia Immigration. When you step into the arrival hall, the registration counter is on your left, among the e-gates. Note the operating hours. Opens at 8am, closes at 7pm. Friday off.
During registration, the immigration officer will request to see the email from MDAC to you. They will take your fingerprints. Then, they will scan your passport into their system. The whole process takes about 5 minutes, if everything is in order.
It's a breeze once you submitted your MDAC properly.
MACS 2.0 registration is free of charge.
Step 3
Join the auto e-gate queue and scan your passport. The process takes less than one minute, if everything is in order. It's a great time saver 😁
Step 4
Use the auto e-gate to scan out when you leave Johor Bahru.
For future visits, fill up and submit the MDAC (digital online arrival form) and use your Singapore passport to scan in and out of the auto e-gate at JB Malaysia Immigration.
As I use the facilities regularly, I will update this post if there are any changes.
Please share your experience in the comments too 🙏
Don't miss out on this privilege if you are eligible to apply for MACS 2.0.
👮 Please note that MACS 2.0 is applicable for foot traffic at Johor Bahru and Tuas checkpoints only. It is not applicable for train, car or motorcycle traffic.
MACS 2.0 replaces the earlier version which has been discontinued.
Use this link to access MDAC application form 👈 click
Frequently Asked Questions
✍ 2 Nov 2023. I did that recently. At the car departure booth, I informed the immigration officer that I had entered via e-gate. He chopped (stamped) and made a written note in my passport and I was able to clear immigration smoothly.
Do we have to fill up the MDAC at every visit to Malaysia to use the e-gates with MACS?
✍ 3 Jan 2024. The short answer is Yes. Today, I used the e-gate but forgot to fill up the MDAC online 😅 The e-gate would not let me pass. So, I stepped aside and filled up the MDAC online, on the spot. It took just 2 - 3 minutes and I got an email acknowledgment immediately. After that, I passed through the e-gate smoothly.
There are comments that ex Malaysians are not able to use MACS 2.0. Anyone able to verify?
✍ 17 Mar 2024. I learned from a former Malaysian who is a Singapore citizen now. She had no problem at all applying for and receiving approval for MACS 2.0.
Can anyone tell what happens if I get into JB using MACS2.0 but decide to return to SG with a friend driving back to SG.
ReplyDeleteI don’t see any e-gate scanners available. Can the Immigration Officer manage the e-gate scanning?
Thank you in advance.
I entered JB via e-gate this morning and returned this afternoon in a friend's car. At Malaysia Immigration car clearance, I informed the officer that I had entered via e-gate.
DeleteHe applied an exit stamp in my passport and added a handwritten remark "Entry by E-Gate 2/11/2023".
Everything went smoothly.
Hi. This is a very important point To Add, that those who wish to travel cheaply by Bus to Hatyai via Bus, Anywhere in West Malaysia. Don't use eGate, as you are entering the Thailand border, there is No Rubber Stamp show on the Passport, despite this, Thai Custom Officer graciously extend kindness to him and allow him to enter Thailand, if not he would have to turn around and will to miss his vacation
ReplyDeleteBut if driving, there's no benefit as there's no egate for drivers?
ReplyDeleteHi. Is SPass can apply for Macs ?
ReplyDeleteHave seen a few comments about ex Malaysians not able to use this feature. I have been hesitating to try this since seeing the many comments. Anyone able to verify?
ReplyDeleteBingo, it’s true that ex-Malaysian will be rejected on this application for my case. Had tried at least twice n rejected both applications
Deletesame here .... ex-malaysian not eligible to use e-gate. not sure what are the complications, and immigration officer told me "system cannot" and without further explanations. so, the system is half-cooked
DeleteI learned from a former Malaysian friend who is a Singapore citizen now, that she has no problem applying and receiving approval for MACS 2.
DeleteIsit the same for now? Means car go in dont need apply
ReplyDeletewhat is the procedure if enter JB on car and come back by bus? Can use e gate when coming back?
ReplyDeleteMy arrival 4 Dec departure 8 Dec but I wish to return early then the usual departure any problem. Pls advice tq
ReplyDeleteAfter registration successful, Do remember to check "Check Egate Eligibility Status", u don't want to waste time queueing at Egate especially during peak long Q period.
ReplyDeleteWhen change new passport, have to redo whole initial registration/verification process again
I registered last night and will be visiting tomorrow. Just checked and it says I am not eligible. Does the eligibility reflect correctly only after first time registration at MDAC registration counter?
DeleteI encounter ex-Malaysian (now convert to Singapore citizen) unable to perform the verification of MDAC.
ReplyDeleteImmigration officer claim, the person have been blacklisted on the records. If any of you have convert citizenship and have change a new passport, please validate if this blacklist is true.
does it mean ex malaysians can no longer go to Msia?
DeleteI guess you can but nit through e-gate
DeleteMarvin Leong hi, yes it’s true that ex-Malaysian will be rejected. I had the twice rejection for the application.
ReplyDeleteTony Boey Read your blog post and it's not quite accurate to say that the MACS system prior to MACS 2.0 has been discontinued. It still exists for people who have long term visit passes for Malaysia, e.g. dependent /employment / student pass holders. But it is no longer available for visitors.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good system. But I lead tours from Singapore there and there will be bound to be some Singapore locals forgot to do "MDAC" before reaching Malaysia customs. It's ok if they have a Malaysian line but for those who don't, if Wifi available? I suppose they can still connect accross tghe causeway but signal is intermittent. By right MDAC is supposed to be completed within 3 days of arrival so it means on the way to JB they can still fill out the form on their device in Singapore?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Do you experience some folks might encounter fingerprint issues when one register MDAC at the JB immigration?
ReplyDeleteI queue for 45mins and they said my fingerprint had problem and system didn't recognise (so weird!!) My passport was just renewed. And I had to join the main queue which was snake long...🥶🤮
yes, It's true that ex-Malaysian will be rejected. I experienced it recently when entering JB via land and the customs officer at the counter explained to me that because I had renounced Malaysian citizenship I am not eligible to apply for auto gate. Maybe 1 or 2 lucky ex-Malaysian might get through?
ReplyDeleteDo you know if obtain the MCAS 2.0 can use motorcycle without stamps?
ReplyDeleteSingapore PR can apply for MACs 2.0?
ReplyDeleteenter JB using egate at tuas, can i use egate to exit KLIA airport ?
ReplyDeleteTip: avoid e-gates 10,11,12 at the departure side of BSI, towards SG direction. Scanning is slow and tends to have error displayed.
ReplyDeleteE-gates at the rightmost side of both halls are the newest, though one has to place the passport like an open book, upside down, as compared to the older gates where only the polycarbonate information page is scanned.
Hi, may I know if the registration counter operate on Saturdays & Sundays please?
ReplyDeleteLinda Tan yes. They are closed on Fridays. You may want to do on a weekday as the queue is expected to last about 2.5 hrs during peak.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply! Unfortunately I hardly go JB on weekdays, can only attempt on Saturday or Sunday. :(
ReplyDeleteI’ve successfully applied and used the MACS. Just a question, when my passport expired, and I will have to apply a new passport again, does it mean I have to re-apply the MACS again?
ReplyDeleteYes
Delete