Australian passports now work with e-gates at Kuala Lumpur
Malaysian officials say easing congestion in peak travel times is the driving force behind the change.
By Chris Ashton, March 1 2023
Malaysia is now rolling out the proverbial welcome mat to visitors from Australia, New Zealand and more from March 1, expanding access to the automated immigration gates at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
As of today, those arriving from seven countries deemed ‘low risk’ can utilise the e-gates at both the main KLIA terminal and the KLIA2 hub favoured by low-cost airlines such as AirAsia, Jetstar Asia and Scoot, provided they fulfil the requirements of the country’s Social Visit Pass – an entry permit for stays up to 90 days for purposes such as business and tourism.
Among the newly-approved nations are Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, along with the United States, United Kingdom, Brunei and Saudi Arabia.
Visitors will also need to submit a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within three days of their arrival.
Until now, the e-gates at KL have only been accessible to Malaysian nationals. However, in an effort to ease congestion at the busy hub, where upwards of 20 aircraft can land during a span of 10 minutes, the Government has expanded the use of automated gates.
Announcing the move, Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the e-gates would initially be open to international travellers only during ‘peak arrival periods’ typically between 3pm and 11pm.
Outside those hours, Saifuddin said, international travellers will have to go through manual clearance at the immigration counters.
Kuala Lumpur is the key entry point for most Australians, with Malaysia Airlines offering direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to Kuala Lumpur.
Additional reporting by David Flynn
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Nov 2011
Total posts 134
This is great news. Even before COVID the immigration queues at KLIA could be terrible. I think I last waited for just under 2 hours.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 147
This is great move. First the U.K. then Singapore, now Malaysia. All prime destinations for Australians. Now all we need is America to get with it...........but we'll likely see pigs flying before that happens.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2017
Total posts 28
Good news! Just speed up the baggage delivery and arriving into KL will be sweet. Works really well coming into Singapore now also.
09 May 2020
Total posts 541
Fellow readers may want to feedback their experiences with the automated system at KLIA, I know of several instances of teething problems with the automated system in use for land crossing at the causeway between SG and MY, which is fairly relevant for those wanting to fly into SG for southern Malaysian destinations, primarily the Johor state
21 Apr 2016
Total posts 23
A shame Qantas has nerfed business SC rates on MH within Asia.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Apr 2011
Total posts 15
I agree. It is disappointing that there is little incentive for sticking to a Qantas oneworld partner to xfer to other destinations in Asia, even after you fly AUS-Asia with Qantas. And I don't want to be forced onto a low cost carrier like Jetstar Asia which often involves other terminals and patchy service reliability.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 41
Can't agree more with you on this one. I often travel in Asia and the thought of no other alternative except Jetstar is a bit annoying, worse with Jetstar transferinng to T4 sometime this year.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 41
Can't agree more with you on this one. I often travel in Asia and the thought of no other alternative except Jetstar is a bit annoying, worse with Jetstar transferinng to T4 sometime this year.
On the other hand, I thought the SC rate for MH for flights within Asia is still ok? SC Australia to Malaysia (or maybe Singapore) are perhaps generously discounted, but for flights within Asia with MH, the SC rates are quite 'normal', as long as you buy tickets with eligible booking code. What I notice though, was that many booking code for MH flights are not eligible for SCs, and I wonder who decides which booking codes are eligible for SCs or not (is that Qantas or MH in this case?)
02 Aug 2019
Total posts 1
I agree with the comments re QF SCs. Fly Business Class on MH to or From Australia and you only get Prem Economy earn rates. Not sure why 🤷🏻♂️
Re the e-gate I wonder if it’s the Malaysian Bationals e-gates or the foreigner e-gates to use. Most likely the latter which were previously only able to be used by expats living in Malaysia and after registering for access.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Jun 2014
Total posts 19
Fantastic news!!
02 Mar 2023
Total posts 1
Flew in and out of KL last week. Forgot about the 3 day requirment for the MDAC so upn arrival after a few unsuccessfuly attempts (kindly assisted by imigration staff) joined the queque which took an hour. When departing at 11am, despite being told by immigration staff egate would not work for Aussie passport, we used malaysian national egate and through within 30 seconds.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2017
Total posts 28
What is not mentioned in this article however read elsewhere is that for the first arrival you will need to go to a manual gate. Leaving Malaysia and subsequent arrivals will be via the e-gates.
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