The Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Singapore and Malaysia allows fully vaccinated travellers who have tested negative for COVID-19 to enjoy a quarantine-free travel between the two countries.
Update: VTL Ticket sales for entry has been resumed from 21 January 2022 after a temporary halt from 22 December 2021, 2359hrs (SGT) until 20 January 2022, 2359hrs (SGT).
How can you travel via VTL(Air)?
There are currently 6 airlines that offer designated VTL flights between Singapore and Malaysia. They are AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Scoot and Singapore Airlines.
1. Travel History
All nationalities that stay consecutively in Singapore/Malaysia for the14 days immediately before their trip can travel on VTL flights.
2. Vaccination Criteria
Only fully vaccinated travellers are allowed to travel on VTL flights. Travellers who are 12 years and below are exempted. Proof of vaccination must be provided.
3. Testing
Travellers on VTL flights must present a negative pre-departure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test 2 days before departing to Malaysia. For VTL travellers to Singapore, either a negative PCR or Antigen Rapid Test (ART) tested 2 days before departing are accepted. Travellers who are 2 years and below are exempted. A test result report must be presented. For example, if you are traveling on the 16th, the earliest you should do your test is on the 14th. The result will be valid till the 16th, 2359hr.
4.Non-Stop Designated VTL flights
Currently, Singapore only flies VTL to Kuala Lumpur and no other city in Malaysia. Do note that not all flights between Singapore-Malaysia are VTL designated. Travellers need to make sure they book on the right flight to be eligible for a quarantine free scheme.
A step-by-step guide on VTL into Singapore and Malaysia
| Into Singapore | Into Malaysia | ||
Trip Planning | Book flight | Book a non-stop VTL designated flight operated by one of the approved airlines, AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Scoot and Singapore Airlines. | |
| Travel History | Have only travelled to/transit via any VTL(air) countries/regions, Cat 1 countries/regions(Hong Kong,Macao,Mainland China, Taiwan), and/or Singapore, in the last 14 consecutive days before departing. | Stayed consecutively in Singapore/Malaysia for 14 days before departing. | |
| Proof of Vaccination (12 years and below are exempted) | Mobile Applications ● TraceTogether ● HealthHub ● BruHealth (developed by the Government of Brunei) ● COOV (developed by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency)Vaccination Certificates ● EU Digital COVID Certificates(EU DCC) issued by any VTL country/region ● SMART Health Cards(SHC) issued by: ● National Health Service (NHS) COVID Passes found on the NHS mobile app ● [For travellers vaccinated in Singapore] Digital HealthCerts provided by Notarise ● Australian-issued International COVID-10 Vaccination Certificate. Refer to International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate | Australian Passport Office website for details.Check out other recognised vaccination certificates for VTL here. | Mobile Applications ● MySejahteraVaccination Certificates ● EU Digital COVID Certificates(EU DCC) issued by any VTL country/region ● SMART Health Cards(SHC) issued by: ● National Health Service (NHS) COVID Passes found on the NHS mobile app ● [For travellers vaccinated in Singapore] Digital HealthCerts provided by Notarise ● Australian-issued International COVID-10 Vaccination Certificate. Refer to International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate | Australian Passport Office website for details. | |
| Travel Pass | Long-Term Pass Holder and Short-Term Visitors need to apply for Vaccinated Travel Pass(VTP) prior to travel. | MyTravel Pass is not required. | |
Pre Departure | Pre-departure COVID-19 Test (2 years and below are exempted | Take COVID-19 PCR/ART test at MOH accredited clinic within 2 days before departure. If the pre-departure test is taken on 1 December 2021, it will be valid for departure up to 3 December 2021, 2359 hours. | Take COVID-19 PCR test within 2 days before departure. If the pre-departure test is taken on 1 December 2021, it will be valid for departure up to 3 December 2021, 2359 hours. |
| Health Declaration | Submit SG Arrival Card (SGAC) 3 days before departing. | ● Registered MySafe Travel portal 2-7 days before departing. ● Upload vaccine certificate onto MySafe Travel portal ● Upload PCR result to MySafe Travel portal before departing | |
| Download and Register Tracing App | TraceTogether App | MySejahtera App | |
| Insurance for Covid-19 Medical Coverage | Min. S$ 30,000 medical coverage is required only for short-term visitors into Singapore. | Min. MYR 100,000 medical coverage for short-term traveller into Malaysia | |
| On-arrival COVID-19 Test (2 years and below are exempted) | Register and pre-pay for arrival COVID-19 PCR test in Changi Airport Cost: S$125 per person | Book your arrival COVID-19 PCR test in KLIA/ KLIA2 PCR (Quick -1.5 hours) PCR(Regular – 3 hours) | |
On Day of Departure | Document needed for check-in for flight | ● Passport (6 month validity) ● Proof of vaccination ● Negative pre-departure COVID-19 PCR/ART test report ● Re-entry permit (for SPR); Long-term Pass (LTP holder) or Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) for short-term visitor ● SG Arrival Card (SGAC) ● Insurance policy (if applicable) | ● Passport (6 month validity) ● Proof of vaccination ● Negative pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test report ● Visa (if applicable) ● MySejahtera App with registered profile ● Proof of registration on MySafe Travel portal ● Insurance policy (if applicable) |
| On arrival PCR test | ● To be done after clearing immigration and luggage collection ● Travellers proceed to declared accommodation immediately by private transport, taxi or private hire car. ● Travellers will need to remain isolated until they receive a negative COVID-19 PCR result | ● To be done before clearing immigration and luggage collection ● Traveller to wait for result before proceeding to clear immigration | |
| On arrival – clearing immigration | ● Passport ● Valid pass or visa ● Boarding pass (proof of VTL flight) ● Insurance document (if applicable) ● Activate TraceTogether App | ● Passport ● Valid pass or visa ● Boarding pass (proof of VTL flight) ● Return/onward ticket (if applicable) ● Insurance document (if applicable) ● MySejahtera App (showed that you have cleared on-arrival PCR test) | |
| After arrival | Post-arrival COVID-19 tests (children below 2 years old are exempted) | ● Travellers to undergo self-administered COVID-19 ARTs using self-sourced ART Kits on Day 2,4,5,6 of arrival. Result to be submitted via link provided upon entry into Singapore. ● Travelers to go for supervised self-administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) at Quick Test Centre on Day 3 and Day 7 of arrival. Result will be submitted on your behalf. | ● Travellers to undergo self-administered COVID-19 ARTs using self-sourced ART Kits on Day 2,4,6 of arrival. Result to be submitted on MySejahtera app. ● Travellers to go for supervised self-administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) at any healthcare facility on Day 3 and Day 5 of arrival. Result will be submitted on your behalf. |
Insure yourself before travelling
To travel on VTL between Singapore and Malaysia, only short-term visitors are required mandatorily to purchase a COVID-19 Insurance.
List of available Singapore-based travel insurance products available for short-term visitors travelling to Singapore:
- AIG – Singapore Travel Assist
- Chubb – SG Travel Insured
- HLA – ChangiAssure Covid Insurance
List of available Malaysia-based travel insurance products available for short-term visitors travelling into Malaysia:
- TuneProtect – COVID Travel Pass+
Whether you are required to purchase COVID-19 Insurance or not, you should still buy a travel insurance plan especially during a pandemic. It can protect you from disruptions to your travel plans and give you peace of mind. Other insurance providers with COVID-19 coverage for Singapore residents are:
- AIG Travel Guard Direct
- Allianz Travel Insurance
- Aviva Travel Insurance
- AXA SmartTraveller
- EQ CovidSafe
- FWD Travel Insurance
- MSIG TravelEasy Premier
- NTUC Income Travel Insurance
- Singlife Travel Lite
- Sompo Travel(Covid-19) Superior
Find out more on travelling with COVID-19 coverage here.
Singapore-Malaysia VTL by land
Currently, only designated VTL buses are operating between Singapore and Johor, Malaysia. Only two companies operate these VTL buses, they are Transtar Travel and Causeway Link. The bus ticket cost S$15 for adults and S$8 for children to Larkin (Johor Bahru) or MYR20 for adults and MYR10 for children to Singapore.
The procedure and documents needed are almost the same as VTL(Air) with the following exception:
- Only Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, holders of a Singapore-issued Long-Term Pass and Malaysia Citizens can travel on VTL(Land) Singapore-Malaysia.
- Professional administered ARTs are allowed for both pre-departure and on-arrival into Singapore and Malaysia.
- Holders of a Singapore-issued Long-Term Pass and Malaysia Citizens must apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (Land).
Have a safe trip!
It may look like there is a lot to prepare before going on a VTL flight, but the procedure is actually quite easy to follow. It is worth all the troubles especially for those who finally get to meet their loved ones in person after two years.
Are there any travel agents from whom you can buy tickets, and who can help to do the documentation required? I find it confusing when I get on to do it by myself. I am a traveller but my siblings are in KL and I wish to vist them by VTL air?
I find the info you give is the best so far. Thanks for that,I have been going in circles when I go to the internet, but you are great.