Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS)

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Curious Cat

If you live in Johor Bahru and work in Singapore (or have some other need to commute frequently, student etc.) you would fill up your passport quickly if you got stamps in your passport for each entry and exit.

The Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) uses a sticker (with embedded with a RFID chip) that is attached to the passport and scanned upon entry and departure from Malaysia. So this removes the Malaysian stamps.

MACS has been developed to cater to non-Malaysian investors, business persons and professionals. A Malaysian sponsor company is required. Working for a business in Iskandar that also required you to work in Singapore would likely qualify. This requirement is stated in some places but seems to be ignored often especially for those with a Singapore passport (which makes sense, say you are just someone who lives in Singapore and has a weekend home in JB shouldn’t you be able to use MACS?).

You can apply and receive your MACS sticker at the main Johor Bahru CIQ (ask when you are there I can’t find a direct link on their web site).

Singapore has the Enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS) for Singapore citizens, permanent residents and Long Term Pass holders and Work pass holders. See the link for various conditions. It might only be available for those with Malaysian, USA, UK, Chinese or Australian passports (I am not sure on this part).

Please add your comments on your experience or suggestions related to commuting between Singapore and Johor Bahru.

28 thoughts on “Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS)”

Paulo from Philippines on November 29, 2016 at 9:39 pm said:

Hello,

I am an expat here in Malaysia holding an Employment Pass, currently residing in Masai. I would like to apply for MACS for a weekly visit to my wife who is living and working in Singapore. Will I be eligible for MACS?
- Madame Blossom on January 26, 2017 at 10:27 pm said:
  
  MACS is not for entry to Singapore. It’s for entry to JB only. It’s not even for entry via KL.
  - Subramanian on April 18, 2017 at 10:12 pm said:
    
    My wife is malaysian in an india citizen and i working in singapore can i apply for the MACS…how lobg is the processing time?and how much?
  - Paulo from Philippines on May 29, 2017 at 6:42 am said:
    
    Hello Madame Blossom,
    
    I understand that MACS is for entry to JB. Since I have to visit Singapore every week to be with my wife, MACS would save my passport atleast from the stamp going in and out of CIQ. Now my passport is half-filled with immig stamps and my EP in Malaysia is only until Oct 2017, (required 9months EP validity). I plan to apply for MACS after my EP is renewed and I have a new passport.
- Vishnu on January 31, 2017 at 5:03 am said:
  
  Hi Paulo,
  I’m also in a similar situation as your’s, would appreciate if you have any valuable point to share regarding this. Please advise if you were able to sort the issue.
  Thank you.
issam on December 3, 2016 at 11:14 am said:

I am a moroccan working in aingapore but stayed in jb. I work 6 days a week. But i didin’t get to apply macs just because i am considered african continents. Is there any other ways ? I am in a difficult position as i dont have a place in singapore to stay..and if i were to renew my passport it would take 3 months … pls advice.
- Jo on May 23, 2017 at 12:26 am said:
  
  Hi issam, did you find any solution for this?
Via on December 15, 2016 at 2:49 am said:

This is really unfair,i went to renew my macs for 3rd time,i been shocked of the non eligibility of my passport.am Moroccan entitled of 90 days free visa to Malaysia and a Singapore resident and often visit JB at weekends .they ban all African continent countries from applying without stating any exceptions for those who are staying permanently in Singapore .hope the Malasiyan Gov make rules more flexible fore those who are frecquenting johore or Singapore often and they have a permanent status as residents.
- Jo on May 23, 2017 at 12:25 am said:
  
  Hi Via, did you find any solution for this?
Shari bin Sarif on December 30, 2016 at 7:14 am said:

I only enter to Johor once a month, am I entitle to apply for MACS
- Madame Blossom on January 26, 2017 at 10:28 pm said:
  
  Yes, it doesn’t matter how frequent or infrequent.
Vishnu on January 31, 2017 at 4:59 am said:

Hi,
Can someone please advise the location of MACS office in Johor. I would appreciate your kind response.
Thank you.
Jacky Ng on February 10, 2017 at 3:57 am said:

As at now, Year 2017, are we (Singaporean) must do MACS entry permit at Orchard Singapore only? i do have a property in JB. Nusajaya right now. if only in JB or Singapore. what documents should i bring over? thanks!
shine on February 18, 2017 at 6:08 am said:

Hi.
I have plan to apply MACS visa.
i am from korea and holding work permit.
can i apply the visa?
Michael on March 3, 2017 at 12:44 am said:

HI
I’m a British Expat working in Singapore but living in JB. I got rejected for a MACS pass in November last year as they said I was crossing the border too often and was living in Malaysia. Is this normal? I’ve had 3 previous MACS passes 2 from CIQ and one from Third Link

Is it worth retrying the application?

Does anybody have any advice?
- Lin on August 16, 2017 at 1:45 am said:
  
  Hi Michael,
  Did you manage to sort out your situation? Are you staying in JB?
Amit Bajaj on March 13, 2017 at 6:24 am said:

Hi – this site is fantastic.

So I have a long term pass in Singapore (because my wife is Singaporean) and I’m employed out of Singapore, but I want to reside in KL (only KL) for a few weeks while working from home. Can I apply for this MACS? I’m paying all taxes in Singapore, etc.
May Balleras on April 3, 2017 at 5:15 am said:

I’m currently working in Singapore but I’m holding a Long term visit pass in Malaysia. Am I eligible for macs since my work pass in Singapore will be expiring on October this year.?
- Sherryll on June 28, 2017 at 7:42 pm said:
  
  Hi May! May I ask how you are able to handle your situation? Do you travel to Malaysia from SG work everyday?
  
  My husband is Malaysian and both of us are working in Singapore. We intend to stay in JB then just travel in and out of JB for work everyday but I am not sure if this is allowed. Will be applying for spouse visa soon. If I dont have the automated clearance then my passport will be finishing off in no time.
  
  Thanks in advance.
Rahim on May 8, 2017 at 12:47 am said:

The current office @Orchard Parade Hotel is Not Suitable At All :-

1.Too crowded with too many in ‘Q’
2.The office is too small
3.Only 2 counters provided Vs hundreds in ‘Q’
3.The commission for agent is too high( $20)
Vs cheap operating cost
4.Only 30sitting chairs being provided Vs hundreds are standing thus unsafe during fire or any emergency.
5.Parking lots are limited and charges ia too high ($5/hr) imagine 3hrs to complete the submission cost $15 parking fees.
Cheah Lean Chye on June 19, 2017 at 11:31 pm said:

MACS only applies to the JB immigrations. If you travel from Singapore to JB using MACS and then proceed to other parts of Malaysia, example Penang. You are not allowed to fly back direct from Penang to Singapore, because there is no entry records into Malaysia.
- NAP on November 6, 2017 at 11:38 am said:
  
  Is it really so? Thoiught they scan the passport, supposed to have RFID) when you entered the country via JB and using MACS? Then immigarion computer should have the entry registered?
Sandra on July 15, 2017 at 8:20 am said:

I am singaporean, want to live in JB (rent) and come back to singapore 3 days a week. will I be able to stay in JB with macs and without mm2h pass? Do you think I will have issue crossing malaysia immigration after a while?
- Lila on February 22, 2018 at 5:37 pm said:
  
  I’m Singaporean.. renting in jb..
  i dont drive, i grab/uber every morning to CIQ.. took any bus to shuttle from CIQ To Woodlands ICA..
  
  Holding MACS.. no issue entry and exit JB every morning 5 days a week..
  
  In Singapore, now they have 2 gantries only for Singapore passport holder so you can beat the morning crowd in a breeze.. as long as you reach ICA before 5.30am..
  
  And MACS gantry, also beat the crowd on Saturday especially..
  
  But, MACS gantry in jb frequently breaks down haahaa *nothing new* but no worries, they have 1 or 2 manual counters only for MACS holders.. Just don’t make a fuss when it breaks down, coz in the first place, MACS holders are for frequent travellers, not for living in jb..
  
  Hope this help everyone..
Maniraj on August 24, 2017 at 8:48 am said:

I have used MACS to enter JB, how can i get the entry exit details using my MACS.
NAP on November 6, 2017 at 11:35 am said:

Hello,
I have an MM2H long term visa but was surprised when my passport is still chopped eveytime I enter and/or exit Malaysia. Wonder why can’t it be like for Singapore PR who do not have to fill in forms nor passport is chopped.
Anyone have a solution or answer for that? MACS is of course a solution but it means double charged since I have paid heavility for the MM2H visa!
Ramkumar on April 23, 2018 at 11:00 pm said:

I am holding Long term pass in Singapore and I have malaysia visa valid for 7 months, can I apply for MACS ?
Victor on November 11, 2022 at 11:37 am said:

Hi,

My name is Victor Tan. I am a Singaporean, working in singapore, but living in an apartment in JB. I cross the border everyday to work. I was wondering whether the MACS pass is now available for application? (I am not a long term or social visit pass holder in Malaysia, just an average Singaporean)

My passport pages are getting filled up with many stamps, and with MACS, this will reduce my need for passport stamping. I seek your kind advice on this matter, as it would help me a lot if I can apply for MACS.

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