Date: January 1, 2025
The Malaysian government has initiated a trial of Quick-Response (QR) code-based immigration lanes at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminals 1 and 2. This new system, exclusively for Malaysians, is expected to streamline immigration processes and address congestion issues, particularly during peak travel periods and festive seasons.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail highlighted that the QR code system reduces immigration processing times to between five and seven seconds, compared to the conventional 15 to 25 seconds. This improvement is achieved through the integration of advanced technology, enhancing both security and operational efficiency while minimizing potential leakages in the system.
“Travellers using these lanes are not required to remove their passports for checks but must ensure they carry them throughout their journey,” the minister clarified. Despite the new implementation, manual counters and existing automatic gates will continue to operate as usual, providing flexibility for travellers.
The QR code system aims to revolutionize the immigration process by leveraging modern technology to ensure faster and more secure procedures. The trial is part of a broader initiative to improve the country’s airport infrastructure and address long-standing bottlenecks at entry points, such as KLIA.
The initiative follows Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah’s earlier statement in December regarding plans to speed up immigration checks and reduce congestion at KLIA.
The government plans to closely monitor the trial and gather feedback from travellers to ensure its success before implementing the system more broadly. If successful, this approach could pave the way for similar advancements at other entry points across Malaysia.
Source: Malay Mail