The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the primary international airport serving Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, and the central region of the country.
As the largest and busiest airport in Malaysia, KLIA recorded 11 million passenger movements in July 2023 alone, with 5.4 million being international travellers and 5.7 million being domestic passengers.
Due to the high volume of travellers, the government introduced the Malaysia Autogate to facilitate the immigration clearance process for those travelling through KLIA. Starting from 1 June 2024, foreign travellers from 46 low-risk countries will be able to use the Malaysia Autogate facility.
What Is The Malaysia Autogate?
The Malaysia Autogate is an automated gate system for travelers arriving at and departing from Malaysia through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). This system eliminates the need for manual passport stamping and verification by immigration officers. Instead, travelers can scan their passports at the Autogate and confirm their identities through a facial recognition system, allowing for clearance in approximately 15 to 20 seconds.
Who is Eligible to Use the Malaysia Autogate?
Initially, the Malaysia Autogate facility was only available to local passengers entering and leaving the country through KLIA. However, in December 2023, the facility was expanded to include foreign passengers from 10 countries: Singapore, Australia, Brunei, Germany, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Starting in June 2024, the autogate facility will be available to travelers from an additional 36 low-risk countries and territories, including those in the European Union, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, China, Canada, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Furthermore, the Autogate facility will also be accessible to diplomatic officers working in Malaysia, frequent travelers holding the Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS), and those with a Long-Term Immigration Pass. To use the Autogate, passengers must have a passport that is valid for at least six months.
Registering For The Autogate
To use the Malaysia Autogate facility, travellers must complete and submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online three days before their arrival for each visit.
However, starting from January 2024, certain travellers are exempt from filling out the digital arrival card if they fall into any of the following categories:
- Citizens of Singapore
- Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders
- Malaysia Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass Holders
- General Certificate of Identity (GCI) Brunei Holders
- Brunei Malaysia Frequent Traveller Facility Holders
- Thailand Border Pass Holders
- Indonesia Cross-Border Travel Document (PLB) Holders
Upon arrival at KLIA, passengers using the Autogate for the first time must enroll and verify their passports manually at the immigration counter. After this initial enrollment, travellers can use the Autogate directly for subsequent arrivals and departures.
Ensuring a Smooth Airport Clearance
To ensure smooth immigration clearance at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, travellers should check all entry and exit requirements on the Malaysian Immigration Department website.
Visa Requirements: Travelers must ensure they have the appropriate visa if required. Those arriving without the necessary visa will be sent back to their country of origin.
Dutiable and Prohibited Items: Travelers must check and declare any dutiable and prohibited items in their possession. During inspections at the first point of entry, travellers with such items should be prepared to open, unpack, and repack their luggage. Concealing or falsely declaring dutiable or prohibited items will result in penalties.
Read Also: Singapore Guide To Applying For The Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS 2.0) Pass
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