Earlier this month, the Malaysian government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, launched a pilot project to implement a QR code-based immigration control system at KLIA Terminals 1 and a couple of. This initiative is anticipated to supply an efficient solution to scale back traffic congestion on the country’s predominant international gateway roads.
Interior Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail revealed that 40 dedicated lanes will probably be established within the arrival and departure areas of KLIA Terminals 1 and a couple of. These facilities are for nationals of 63 eligible countries, including Malaysian nationals.
According to Saifuddin, the QR code system can speed up the immigration process by reducing processing time to simply five to seven seconds, which is way faster than the standard automated gate method, which usually takes about 15 to 25 seconds.
He emphasized that the QR-based system not only improves efficiency, but in addition increases safety through using cutting-edge technologies.
Saifuddin also noted that this innovation is anticipated to handle congestion issues at entry points into the country, including KLIA, which regularly occur during peak periods and holiday seasons.
Under this initiative, using autogates by foreigners remains to be subject to several requirements. They must not be on any watchlist or blacklist and must complete a Malaysian Digital Arrival Card, aside from Singapore residents who’re exempt from this rule.
Foreign nationals’ entry details will even be verified using biometric matching and facial recognition technologies embedded in passport chips. If any discrepancies are detected, individuals will probably be referred to immigration officials for further consideration.
According to the Department of Immigration, stringent monitoring measures have been put in place because the introduction of visa-free travel in 2023. These include dedicated teams monitoring travelers from China and India, increased surveillance in areas with high foreign traffic, and strict procedures for refusing entry notifications.
Additionally, visitors are required to pass a security check, which also includes return tickets and valid proof of accommodation, e.g. a confirmed hotel reservation.
It is price noting that despite the introduction of the QR code-based system, manual lanes and standard automatic gates remain available for normal use.
