Entry procedures for emergency travel between Malaysia and Singapore (Aug 2021)

These procedures and requirements apply to cases where an immediate family member in either country has passed away, or is critically ill. Full details here.

Malaysia's Immigration Department has released a set of procedures and entry requirements for travel between Malaysia and Singapore, in cases of Death and Critical Illness Emergency Visits (DCEV).

These are as follows:

Prerequisites 

Who can apply

Malaysians, Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents of Singapore, holders of Singapore’s Long Term Pass who are immediate family members of the deceased/critically ill patient (i.e. parents, children, close siblings and legal guardian).

Applicants must be adults aged 21 to 60 years old.

Mode of travel

Travel via air (KLIA & KLIA2) and land border crossings between Malaysia and Singapore (BSI and KSAB).

Visit details and application requirements

This is only limited to emergency visits in Peninsular Malaysia.

For applications due to death of family member:

• Only a maximum of two family members will be allowed entry as the following:
  • Spouse; or
  • Children; or
  • Parent; or
  • Close siblings (if the deceased is single).

For applications due to a critically ill family member:

• Only a maximum of two family members will be allowed entry as the following:
  • Spouse; or
  • Children; or
  • Parent; or
  • Close siblings (for single patients); or
  • Legal guardian.

Other prerequisites to note

Priority for entry will be given to spouse or child(ren)/parents of the deceased/critically ill patient.

Appeals may be considered on a case-by-case basis. For example, non-close siblings or an elderly member may be allowed to enter if the patient or deceased has no other immediate family members.

Application procedures

Applications for compassionate reason must be made prior to departure using this form and this checklist.

Travellers arriving through BSI and KSAB must submit their application to this email adress while travellers arriving at KLIA/KLIA2 must submit their application to the following email addresses:

• cprc_sel@moh.gov.my and
• kkmkliacovid@gmail.com.
• All applications must be copied to hso@moh.gov.my

Application must include the following documents:

• Death cases
  • Death certificate or any other documents as proof of death of the immediate family member;
  • Documents to prove familial connection; and
  • Other supporting documents including embalming certificate.
• Critically ill cases
  • Doctor’s letter to support critically ill cases;
  • Document to prove familial connection;
  • Approval letter for visit from respective hospital; and
  • Other supporting documents.

The applicant(s) must be physically present at the Malaysian airports (KLIA & KLIA2 only) and land border crossing entry points in Johor Bahru (BSI & KSAB) with the following documents:

• Entry approval for compassionate reasons from Johor Health Department OR Selangor Health Department;
• For Death cases
  • Death certificate or any other documents as proof of death of the immediate family member
  • Documents to prove familial connection; and
  • Other supporting documents including embalming certificate.
• For Critically ill cases
  • Doctor’s letter to support critically ill cases;
  • Document to prove familial connection;
  • Approval letter for visit from respective hospital; and
  • Other supporting documents.

Further points to note:

• Travellers are subjected to the prevailing health policy of Malaysia.
• Travellers shall bear all costs incurred, not limited to quarantine, COVID-19 tests and any other logistical charges.
• Travellers are subjected to the prevailing immigration procedures, rules and regulations during immigration clearance at the point of entry. Travellers who require visa to enter Malaysia will have to obtain the necessary visa before departure.

Health screening

The following health screening requirements apply:

• Travellers are required to undergo RT-PCR swab test within 72 hours before departure and produce a valid negative test result.
• Travellers must install, register and activate MySejahtera mobile application before departure.
• Travellers will be subjected to health screening at the point of entry.
• Travellers to undergo RTK Antigen (RTK Ag) test at the point of entry:
  • At Johor-Singapore International Points of Entry (BSI & KSAB)
    • For arrivals from 7.00am to 7.00pm, swab test will be done at point of entry. If the result is negative, travellers will be escorted to the designated quarantine station. If the result is positive, travellers will be turned back with the vehicle.
    • For arrivals after 7.00pm, travellers will b e escorted to the designated quarantine station and engage the service of private healthcare facility for swab test. If the result is negative, travellers will proceed with visit arrangement. If the result is positive, travellers will be referred to the hospital and cost will be borne by travellers. Emergency visits only allowed for those with RTK Ag negative.
  • At KLIA/KLIA2
    • RTK Ag testing will be done at point of entry. If the result is negative, travellers will be escorted to the designated quarantine station. If the result is positive, travellers will be referred to the hospital.
  • Travellers can choose either standard or premium service (transportation to the destination is included in the premium service) as a designated quarantine station.
  • Cost for PCR/ RTK Ag swab test will be borne by travellers.
  • Payment for quarantine and the one-off payment for foreigners will be made at the quarantine facility, unless stated otherwise.

Travelling to destination

The Immigration Department has noted:

• Approval for DCEV will be authorised by the respective Health State Department on the same application form submitted.
• With the approval of DCEV, travellers are to communicate with the designated quarantine station staff (Civil Defense Force) for “time-off” and transport arrangement for emergency visit.
• For travellers who make the trip for the purpose of visiting a critically ill family member in hospital, prior approval from the Hospital Director/Management is required (to be obtained prior to departure or during the three-day quarantine). Depending on the prevailing hospital’s visitation policy, travellers may not be allowed to proceed with the visit without an approval letter from the respective hospital, even if they have obtained permission to enter Malaysia under DCEV.
• On the visiting day, travellers will be escorted by the Civil Defense Force to the declared emergency destination (e.g. funeral place and hospital).
• Travellers will be granted a one-off, three-hour visit at emergency destination (not including travel time), subject to the prevailing health policies of Malaysia. Travellers are not allowed to detour or go to any place other than the emergency destination.
• Upon completion of the visit, travellers will return to Singapore immediately, where the travellers would be subject to Singapore’s prevailing entry policies.
• Failing to do so, the travellers will be subjected to the prevailing immigration and health policies of Malaysia.

The Department has also highlighted that if the COVID-19 situation in the receiving/sending country deteriorates, the DCEV may be temporarily suspended by either party, by giving prior notice to the other party of a duration to be determined by mutual agreement.

"The commuting arrangements may also be reactivated by mutual consent of the Governments of Singapore and Malaysia when the COVID-19 situation improves." 

The following appendixes showcase details that apply at each border:

• Flowchart of DCEV at BSI and KSAB
• Flowchart of DCEV at KLIA/KLIA2

On the same note, Singapore's SafeTravel website also states updates for travellers returning to Singapore from Malaysia, only after making cross-border travel to Malaysia for DCEV.

Travellers who are Singapore citizens and PRs do not need entry approval and may refer here for the entry requirements, including details of the health control measures for travel history to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Long Term Pass Holders in Singapore will be subject to the requirements listed here.

Photo / 123RF