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Causeway Updates (Singapore/ Johor Bahru) – 13th Jun 2009

June 13th, 2009 lawrence.gan

If you have not been to Johor Bahru for a while, here are some updates for traveling across the causeway you might want to pay attention to:

1. Smaller White Cards
Smaller White Cards are now in use. This represents a 30% shrinkage from the original size. Besides the smaller size, the other notable difference from the original white card is the addition of more tick-boxes under the “Purpose of Visit” column (Sports, Incentive Travel and Health options are added). See image below.

Limsimi.com - Smaller White Cards are now in use

Limsimi.com - Smaller White Cards are now in use

If you are one of those who managed to stockpile the larger version of white cards (me included – I have about 100 of them), don’t fret. They can still be in use.

2. Traffic Diversion for entry to Johor Bahru
You will no longer drive through the old Johor Bahru Custom en-route to the new Johor Bahru CIQ. Instead, you will skirt pass it on the right hand side (see image below).

Limsimi.com - Old Johor Bahru Custom is non-passable

Limsimi.com - Old Johor Bahru Custom is non-passable

Nothing to really worry about. Just follow the cars in front of you if you are unsure. If you want to top up your Touch and Go (TNG) card, the TNG office at the Old Johor Bahru custom is still open, howbeit it is inconvenient to do now that it is out of the way (as you are not driving through the Old Johor Bahru custom). Alternatively, just enter the any dedicated lanes (A7, B8, C10 and D10) at the new Johor Bahru CIQ which have TNG top-up services.

3. Swine Flu

Limsimi.com - Current Flu Alert Level (12th Jun 2009)

Limsimi.com - Current Flu Alert Level (12th Jun 2009)

While Singapore’s Flu Alert Level is still YELLOW, temperature screening for drivers and their passengers at the Woodlands Checkpoint has been enforced. You will be required to wind down your windows (including rear passenger windows) for the custom officer to aim the temperature screening device on you and your passengers, just to ensure you do not have a fever. Additional delay for custom clearance, but something necessary to contain and control any outbreak of Swine Flu in Singapore.

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Entry Filed under: New Johor Bahru Custom/CIQ Complex

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29 Comments Add your own

  • 1. vincentNo Gravatar  |  June 15th, 2009 at 12:02 PM

    To add on, they scan at the boot checking place. Will scan the passengers sitting in the car first before the driver is required to come out of the car to open the boot. Temperature scanning is quite fast at about 5-10s, although i doubt the accuracy as there is car aircon blowing direct to the face when driving.

  • 2. sigitNo Gravatar  |  June 17th, 2009 at 9:58 AM

    Hi Lawrence, thanks for the information. Appreciate if you can continue to update us fi there are any changes in Johor Bahru Customs.

    Terima Kasih!

  • 3. PeterNo Gravatar  |  June 17th, 2009 at 9:18 PM

    Hi, can we buy the touch & go card at the dedicated lane as well?

  • 4. adminNo Gravatar  |  June 18th, 2009 at 9:35 AM

    Hi Peter, experience is they occasionally run out of stock and you have to walk to the next available Dedicated lane if so (incurring the wrath of the driver behind you). If you do not have a touch and go card, make sense for you to stop by the TNG office at the old Johor Bahru custom to get one first.

  • 5. IreneNo Gravatar  |  July 8th, 2009 at 1:16 AM

    I am a Singaporean who will be moving to live in JB soon and I am quite concerned about immigration and customs altho people have told me there won’t be any problems…

    Has anyone or heard of anyone who has ever had problems with immigration for travelling in and out of JB too frequently?

    When filling up the white card for Country of Residence, should I write Singapore or Malaysia?

  • 6. adminNo Gravatar  |  July 8th, 2009 at 8:17 AM

    No issues at all, even if you travel in/out of JB everyday. Some of us changes our Singapore passport after just 2 years as the pages are not enough and we did not encounter any issues due to frequent travel through the custom.

    For White card, if u still have a Singapore address on your ic, you can continue to put SG.

  • 7. IreneNo Gravatar  |  July 8th, 2009 at 11:03 AM

    Thanks for your reply! And thanks again for an informative website :)

  • 8. FlowerpoddessNo Gravatar  |  August 21st, 2009 at 10:12 PM

    Hello,

    My question is very much similiar to Irene’s, I intend on renting a place in JB and working in Singapore and I’m worried about them wondering why I come to JB to stay every night and they figure out a pattern or something.

    Also, do I have to fill up the white card every single time?? I missed two buses and the people there don’t seem to hand out white card in stacks, I don’t drive so is there an easier way for me to get into Malaysia through the bus? I don’t think the touch and go applies to a Singaporean who can’t drive.

    Help?
    Thank you!

  • 9. adminNo Gravatar  |  August 22nd, 2009 at 7:16 PM

    It is perfectly fine if you go in/out JB everyday. The CIA and KGB will certainly not come to you!

    Unfortunately, you need to fill in the white card every time. So make it a habit to always request for white card at the immigration clearance.

  • 10. FlowerpoddessNo Gravatar  |  August 24th, 2009 at 12:08 AM

    Hello,

    Thank you for your response and the information provided. Do Singaporeans who own a property in JB, fill up white cards everyday?

    Would you happen to know anything about bringing cats from Singapore to JB? I know there is no Quarantine needed, however I don’t know about the other required information.

    Could you offer a suggestion on where I could live if I don’t drive and want to come into Singapore?

    Thank you!

  • 11. adminNo Gravatar  |  August 24th, 2009 at 9:56 AM

    Hi Flowerpoddess,

    anyone who is a Singaporean (regardless of your frequency of travel or if you own a property in JB) will need to fill in a white card if you enter into JB.
    Where you can stay in JB depends on what kind of apartment you need (fully furnished condo or just a room in a bungalow?) and where you work in Singapore too. If you work in Jurong, it might be more convenient for you to stay next Linkedua, places like Perling. If you work in town or nearer towards the North, you can consider places near to the Johor Bahru CIQ like Taman Sri Tebrau, Permas or Taman Sentosa. Your property agent should be able to give you the best advise.

  • 12. ScorpeezNo Gravatar  |  August 26th, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    Hi,

    Tnx for the informative webs provided. Well me too will be moving to live in JB. No choice, my husband still jobless. We have to rent out our 5 rooms flat & decided to stay in JB. Though it was inconvenience to go in & out during weekdays for work & fetch kids for school but we save more $$$/RM.

  • 13. FlowerpoddessNo Gravatar  |  September 1st, 2009 at 4:21 AM

    Thanks for the reply. I’m wondering on how do I move all my items into Malaysia if I’m renting? The immigration can’t exactly know this so how do I get my personal belongings to my Malaysia address?

    The other thing I’d like to know is, will I be able to import my cats into Malaysia if I’m on social visit?

    Thanks!!!
    Flowerpoddess

  • 14. adminNo Gravatar  |  September 1st, 2009 at 10:40 PM

    Are you moving bulky items? If it is only clothes and some electrical applicances, it should not be an issue if you shuttle them using your car, howbeit you need to travel in/out of Sing/JB several times.

    For pets:
    You can travel from Singapore to Malaysia on social visit/ holidays but it is not so easy for your pet dog & pet cat. To bring your pets to Malaysia, you need an export permit from Singapore (AVA) and Import Permit from Malaysia – Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar Negeri Johor, Aras 5, Kompleks C2S, East Wing, Pusat Pentadbiran Baru Kerajaan Negeri Johor, 79000 Nusajaya. Tel: 07-2667501/02, Fax: 07-2909215.

    However, upon returning from Malaysia , your pet dog & cat will be imposed with compulsory 30-day quarantine requirements because rabies disease concern as Malaysia is rabies at risk country still. The stringent regulations by AVA are put in place to safeguard the health and well being of animals in Singapore from entry of exotic diseases and in to maintain a disease-free status.

  • 15. FlowerpoddessNo Gravatar  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 4:41 AM

    Thank you for your response.

    I do not own a car. I need loads of things moved like TV, several boxes of books and clothing and might need to bring over study table, computer table and tv stand.

    Can I it be done while on social visa?

    I’ve actually called that location and enquired on the permit and I’ve been told what I need to have. I’m actually struggling to get an export permit since I live in a HDB home in Singapore and have no private property address.

    If I get that settled, will the Malaysia site let me import my cats while I’m on a social visa? Like, what do I put on the application, the real rental address?

    There isn’t such a thing for Singaporeans as to how many times we “renew” our stay is there? Like, we get one month and if we leave and come back in, it’s another month, is there a limit as to how many times we can do this?

    Oh and thank you very much for the telephone number for the authority for permit in Johor, I got it from AVA but I didn’t save the number, but I have their address.

    I’m well aware of the 30 days quarantine but they mentioned that I can’t import my cat back to Singapore with a HDB address, so I’m stuck on what to do.

    Flowerpoddess

  • 16. adminNo Gravatar  |  September 2nd, 2009 at 9:30 AM

    My response, to the best of my knowledge below:

    “I do not own a car. I need loads of things moved like TV, several boxes of books and clothing and might need to bring over study table, computer table and tv stand. Can I it be done while on social visa?”
    - Yes. You can transport such items while on social pass.

    “If I get that settled, will the Malaysia site let me import my cats while I’m on a social visa? Like, what do I put on the application, the real rental address?”
    - You should put the real rental address. Should not be an issue even if you are on social visit. But really, it is a hassle to bring you cat over, and you face another big round of paper work to get it back to SG. On a long term basis, it is better to put the cat at either side of the causeway for your entire stay in JB – either it stays in JB throughout till the point you want to relocate back to SG or just keep it in SG and you can visit it over the weekend when u return from JB.

    “There isn’t such a thing for Singaporeans as to how many times we “renew” our stay is there? Like, we get one month and if we leave and come back in, it’s another month, is there a limit as to how many times we can do this?”
    - There is no limit. For your information, some of our visitors go in/out of JB almost everyday without an issue. Once you are in, you can stay for 1 month. The next time you go in to JB, this one-month starts from the new date you enters JB.

    “I’m well aware of the 30 days quarantine but they mentioned that I can’t import my cat back to Singapore with a HDB address, so I’m stuck on what to do. ”
    - Can’t help on this one. Need to find a way to get around it. :)

  • 17. FlowerpoddessNo Gravatar  |  September 3rd, 2009 at 6:12 PM

    Thank you for your response, it’s much appericiated!

    How do I move that many items without a car? The moving companies are asking my rental agreement or for my passport, if I give that, will it show that I’m renting? I mean obviously, I know the rental agreement is out but this moving company mentioned that, I would need to pay import/duty taxes and give my passport details over so that it can be sent over. They said the import duty taxes is because it’s an incomplete form so they will charge me and the customs won’t be suspicious?

    Yes, I want to keep my cats with me throughout the entire stay in JB in JB itself.

    Are you Malaysian or Singapore/PR?

    This is a message I got from someone:

    “Yes, you do not need a visa for a stay not exceeding ONE month. However,
    since your plan is to return to Singapore every month for a few days and return back to Malaysia to get another one month entry pass, this might after a while make the Malaysian immigration suspicious that you are a “visa runner” and
    they might decide to ban you entry into Malaysia. You can choose this option without problem for the short term, however I am offering whether we can assist you to find a long term solution.”

    It worries because we’re renting out our home in Singapore and we won’t have a place to go to if we are not allowed to go back in Malaysia.

    Flowerpoddess

  • 18. FlowerpoddessNo Gravatar  |  September 3rd, 2009 at 8:14 PM

    Oh yeah, so if we travel out at say 10am and return back at 7 or 8pm everyday, the customs wouldn’t wonder why I’m leaving JB and returning back everyday to “sleep” in JB . . . I know about frequent in and out but going out and back in seems a bit . . . like a giveaway?

    Flowerpoddess

  • 19. IreneNo Gravatar  |  September 22nd, 2009 at 6:27 AM

    Hi Flowerpoddess

    I have seen your postings in allo’expats.com and i just read your postings here.

    You seem overly concerned with too many issues although your biggest concern are your cats. Putting the cat issue aside, i think u just have to take chances and try it out in JB if u intend to live there. I am also quite concerned about immigration problems but judging from what i have read and heard, i think it is safe overall when checkpoint is concerned since there are many Singaporeans already doing it (living in JB on social visit pass and working in S’pore).

    Right now, i am busy preparing for my move and i just hope it goes smoothly without hitches. When happens later when I am already living in JB is another matter.

    I hope things work out for you and your cats.

  • 20. adminNo Gravatar  |  September 24th, 2009 at 7:21 PM

    Thanks Irene for sharing! Flowerpoddess, we hope you are still doing fine with your move to JB.

  • 21. IreneNo Gravatar  |  October 8th, 2009 at 2:09 PM

    I have moved in to JB almost 2 weeks ago and commuting four days a week into Singapore for work.

    Going through immigration and customs is not as big a problem for me as dealing with JB cab drivers. I do not drive and have to rely on taxis to ferry me to the checkpoint from where I live. Although, most cabs have meters installed now, some drivers still charge me more than the meter fare and it can be quite frustrating.

    I hope Flowerpoddess is still with this website. I wonder how she is doing. Just want to tell her that things will slowly but surely fall into place.

  • 22. anthonyNo Gravatar  |  October 23rd, 2009 at 3:16 PM

    is it true that in total, you can only stay in m’sia for maximum of 180 days (cumulative) in a year ?

  • 23. 6oLsh0i_6o0z3No Gravatar  |  October 27th, 2009 at 7:56 AM

    Nope, there is no such thing Mr.Anthony.

    Where did you hear about the 180 days max in a year?

    ;)

  • 24. KangweiNo Gravatar  |  October 28th, 2009 at 1:05 AM

    Hi,

    Are pedestrians currently allowed to walk across the Causeway and clear Malaysia and Singapore immigration/customs on foot?

    I know that Malaysia banned it about a year ago, but I heard that there was talk of overturning the ban.

    Thanks!

  • 25. adminNo Gravatar  |  October 28th, 2009 at 4:36 AM

    It is technically still banned by Malaysia but not Singapore. Some people are still walking across now, although the walk will take an average person some good 25 minutes.

  • 26. chipdaleNo Gravatar  |  November 3rd, 2009 at 1:29 AM

    hi can i ask can i bring a puppy out frm jb to singpore? i am a singaporean . i would like to buy a dog frm jb as it is cheaper. any steps?

  • 27. RosniNo Gravatar  |  January 11th, 2010 at 6:33 PM

    HI, my uncle(M’sia)make a trip to Sgp by driving via JB CIQ however after reaching Sgp custom, he was shock that the passport not belongs to him and was escorted by Sgp officer back to JB.After fews hours searching in JB CIQ the officer said that they found the passport but he’s not allowed him to leave country until he goes back to KL HQ to get it re-issue.Is there any logic of getting to drive back to KL and return with the same passport after visit the KL HQ just for re-issue purpose?OR anyone ever encounter the same problem as my uncle to receive wrong passport(drive through) after JB CIQ.Please help to comment.The problem liase with my uncle was he didn’t check passport on spot after the officer scanning.Also, could the officer be so blur until can’t tell MALE & FEMALE passport holder.Just for info the wrong passport belongs to a female.

  • 28. adminNo Gravatar  |  January 20th, 2010 at 8:57 AM

    In the first place, do check your password after it is cleared by JB customs that:

    1. Your passport is stamped (if you are a Singaporean)
    2. Your passport IS your passport

    JB processes are a clear as a muddy pool. Sometimes, what appears to be the most illogical option is the adopted practice by custom officers. Even then, no one can probably give an explanation or clarification on this except the senior custom officers themselves.

    Just be more careful in future.

  • 29. LizzieNo Gravatar  |  January 28th, 2010 at 3:01 PM

    Hi All,

    I find this blog really interesting and very informative. I am a M’sian and will be moving to Sg soon for work, and wouldn’t have thought it viable to live in JB and work in Sg due to the hassle of commuting. But after reading some of the threads here, I am beginning to toy with the idea of perhaps staying in JB may not be such a bad thing after all!

    Anyway, hope our S’porean friends here who are relocating or have relocated to live in JB are finding it a smooth and safe stay in JB.

    Cheers :-)

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