Amirull Salihing
MyNIISe QR immigration checks are set for a wider rollout in January 2027. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said travellers will use QR codes at Malaysia’s entry points. Passports can still be used.
He made the announcement in the Dewan Rakyat on 27 October, according to reports. However, the system is still in trial at the two Johor land checkpoints. The trial began there in 2025.
Overall, here is what the minister said, where the trial runs and what travellers should do before January.
What the minister said
At the time, Saifuddin said the government hopes to start the wider rollout in January next year. In other words, passports still work at the gate. In practice, travellers entering Malaysia will go through immigration checks with MyNIISe QR codes. However, they must first download the app.
The system replaces the older MyIMMs platform. Earlier disruptions at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar were blamed on glitches in that platform. In addition, the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, known as MDAC, will eventually be integrated into the app.
Still, the timeline has moved. In May, the ministry had said full implementation would come in September 2026. Now the target is January.
Separately, the minister warned about arrival card scams. Syndicates have charged travellers RM100 to complete the card, he said, although it is free.
Where MyNIISe QR trial runs
The trial began on 22 September 2025 at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar at the Causeway end. It also runs at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex on the Second Link.
According to one report, the trial opened with 27 QR-ready booths at the first and 24 at the second. They cover cars, motorcycles and pedestrians.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry said in December 2025 that it would add 40 eGate units and 145 QR scanners. They are for the two complexes. The ministry expected the upgrade to double processing capacity. However, it has not given a current count of QR lanes.
Families can use a group option. One QR code can cover a family, but each person needs a passport registered in the app. Likewise, the same app is planned for the RTS Link. The May report said that link will have 220 autogates tied to MyNIISe.
Earlier this year, the minister said the system would be deployed at the Bukit Chagar complex when it opens. The RTS Link is now slated to start in February 2027. So the January rollout comes shortly before the rail link opens.
Watch this video on how to register for MyNIISe.
Who has signed up and what to do
About 1.5 million people had registered as of 13 October. Of these, 998,000 are Malaysians and 421,000 Singaporeans. The remaining 112,000 are other foreign nationals.
Singaporeans are therefore the biggest foreign group on the app. Besides, Singapore citizens are exempt from the MDAC, according to the report.
Therefore, frequent Causeway commuters should register before January. So download MyNIISe, add your passport details and check that the app works on your phone. Moreover, keep your passport with you, because it remains valid.
In short, the QR code speeds up checks but does not replace the passport. Travellers should therefore carry both when they cross, and keep the phone charged.
Navin Kumar Perianen
Sashidaran Gunathevan
C. Khor
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