Malaysia has recently updated the quota for travel via the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) from Singapore to Malaysia. 

In a statement on Wednesday (16 February 2022), the Ministry of Transport Malaysia (MOT) said the sale of bus and flight tickets for both the air and land has fully reopened (i.e., seats will be at 100% capacity) effective immediately. 

While this applies to air VTL travel with immediate effect, when it comes to land VTL travel, the full capacity will only be allowed from 22 February onwards.

The VTL arrangement is subject to the requirements set by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM). Per a recent announcement by Malaysia's Expatriate Services Division (ESD), the VTL is applicable to the following active Long-Term Pass holders in Malaysia:

1. Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) and their dependant(s); 2. Employment Pass (Category EP I, II, and III); 3. Professional Visit Pass (PVP); 4. Dependant Pass to expatriates for all categories; 5. Long-term Social Visit Pass (LT-SVP) to expatriate for all categories; and 6. Foreign maids to expatriates for all categories.

This update follows the previous 50% reduction in ticket quota for both bus and flight capacity.

Long-term pass holders must ensure that the pass they hold is still valid upon entering Malaysia. However, those who intend to enter Malaysia for the purpose of obtaining a long-term pass endorsement (new approved application) should not apply for this programme as they would be unable to complete the pass endorsement, and will have to leave and return to Malaysia through the standard travel procedure, the ESD shared.

On that note, Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry shared a series of updated requirements for VTL (Land) travellers entering Singapore to follow:

Only Work Permit Holders and short-term visitors eligible to travel via VTL 1 will have to apply for a VTP.

Other Long-Term Pass Holders will no longer have to apply for a VTP.

Apart from the above, both Malaysia and Singapore are in "advanced discussions" to expand the air VTL to Penang and Kota Kinabulu, MOT Malaysia added.

On a similar note, Malaysia and Brunei have also agreed to implement an air VTL, as announced following a recent meeting between Malaysia's Prime Minister, Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Recognising that Brunei is the sixth-largest Malaysian trading partner in ASEAN, while Malaysia is the fourth largest trading partner in Brunei, this VTL aims to increase cooperation towards economic recovery for both countries, the Prime Minister's Office shared.

Following the meeting, PM Ismail expressed in a Facebook post that, with as many as 25,000 Malaysians in Brunei, consisting of businessmen, professionals, students, and more, he hopes "Malaysian businessmen continue to be a pioneer in economic cooperation for the sake of prosperity and giving profit to both parties (win-win)."

As part of the overall meeting, the two discussed the implementation of the VTL, as well as the mutual recognition of MySejahtera and BruHealth digital vaccination certificates.

ALSO READ: Singapore launches sea VTL with Bintan & Batam, extends air VTL to all Thai cities and Hong Kong, and more

Image / Jabatan Perdana Menteri Facebook

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