Malaysia is moving ahead with a major upgrade at its busiest land border with Singapore, announcing plans to install additional automated clearance facilities at Johor checkpoints by the end of 2025. The move is aimed at easing chronic congestion and improving travel efficiency for daily commuters, tourists and logistics operators crossing the Causeway and Second Link.
By December 31, 2025, a total of 40 new National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) e-gates and 145 MyNIISe QR code scanners will be rolled out at Johor’s main immigration complexes. These upgrades are expected to significantly speed up border clearance during peak travel periods, particularly weekends, public holidays and school vacations.
The new equipment will be deployed at the Sultan Iskandar Building (Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, or BSI) in Johor Bahru, as well as the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar, or KSAB) in Iskandar Puteri. Both locations handle massive daily traffic between Malaysia and Singapore, making them critical bottlenecks for cross-border movement.
Doubling border processing capacity
According to Malaysia’s Home Ministry, the additional e-gates and QR scanners are expected to double immigration processing capacity at both checkpoints once fully operational. This is part of a broader push towards automation and digitalisation in border control, reducing reliance on manual passport stamping and long queues at immigration counters.
For Singapore-based travellers and Malaysian daily commuters, faster clearance translates directly into time savings, reduced fuel costs, and improved productivity. It also supports the broader economic relationship between Singapore and Johor, where cross-border travel underpins employment, retail spending, tourism and property demand on both sides.
The Home Ministry said the upgrades are especially targeted at handling traffic surges during peak hours, when waiting times can stretch into hours. With increased automation, authorities hope to smooth traffic flow and improve the overall travel experience.
QR code immigration trial continues
The MyNIISe QR code clearance system, which allows travellers to use a personal QR code via a mobile app instead of manual passport checks, is currently undergoing a trial phase. This pilot began on September 22 and is scheduled to run until February 28, 2026.
Under this system, eligible travellers can scan a QR code at dedicated lanes, potentially cutting down clearance time significantly. The concept mirrors similar digital border solutions adopted in other high-traffic regions, aimed at supporting smart border infrastructure and contactless travel.
However, the initial rollout was not without issues. In the early days of the trial, users reported technical problems such as difficulties scanning passports during registration and, in some cases, seeing incorrect personal data displayed in the app.
System upgrades and monitoring underway
In response, the Home Ministry said it is accelerating upgrades to both the MyIMMs (Malaysian Immigration System) and NIISe platforms to improve system stability and responsiveness. Authorities are also expanding internet connectivity at critical checkpoint locations to ensure automation systems remain reliable during peak periods.
A dedicated Special Task Force has been set up to monitor progress on a weekly basis. The ministry said this oversight will continue until all systems are fully operational and stable by the end of December 2025.
For Singapore travellers, transport operators and businesses reliant on cross-border movement, these upgrades could mark a meaningful improvement in daily travel conditions. If successfully implemented, the enhanced e-gates and QR code systems may finally bring relief to one of Southeast Asia’s busiest land borders, strengthening economic ties while reducing travel stress for millions of users each year.