Malaysia to require MyDigital ID login for immigration app as border controls go fully digital in 2026

CROSS-border travel for Malaysians, as well as entry into Malaysia for foreign visitors, is set to become more seamless as the country accelerates efforts to modernise its immigration system through a single digital identity platform.

Malay Mail cited that from January 15, 2026, the Home Ministry will require Malaysians to use MyDigital ID as the only sign-on method when accessing the National Integrated Immigration System (MyNIISe) mobile application.

The move marks a key milestone in the government’s broader digitalisation drive under the NIISe initiative, which aims to improve efficiency at border checkpoints while strengthening identity verification and data security.

Under the system, user identities are verified directly against the National Registration Department database without storing personal data within the platform, reducing risks linked to data breaches or misuse.

The introduction of MyDigital ID was driven by the government’s intention to address the fragmented nature of digital public services, where users previously needed multiple applications and separate login credentials for different agencies.

The single digital identity platform was developed to simplify access, enhance protection against online fraud and identity theft, and support safer online transactions across sectors including government services, finance, education and healthcare.

MyDigital ID Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Mimos Berhad under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, has stressed that the platform does not store biometric data and is designed with data privacy as a core principle.

Each user is permitted only one digital identity, and the system does not replace the MyKad or other physical identification documents.

The MyNIISe application, developed by the Immigration Department, serves as Malaysia’s official digital immigration platform.

It enables users to generate a personal QR code to facilitate faster immigration clearance, reducing dependence on manual passport stamping, particularly for frequent travellers.

The app is available on Android, iOS and Huawei devices, and supports a paperless clearance process while still requiring travellers to carry valid travel documents.

MyNIISe is intended to replace earlier QR-based immigration systems that were criticised for slow processing and congestion at border checkpoints.

Unlike the MyBorderPass application, which requires each individual traveller to be scanned separately, MyNIISe allows group clearance using a single QR code, improving throughput while maintaining security checks.

The platform will also be used for the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, which is set to adopt a single immigration clearance process at the point of departure.

According to the Immigration Department, MyNIISe is available to eligible Malaysians and selected foreign nationals for both entry and departure.

The system began trial operations in late September 2025, with phased implementation across major border checkpoints nationwide.

First-time foreign users who wish to use QR-based clearance are required to create an account on the MyNIISe app. Registration involves scanning the passport photo page and biometric chip using Near Field Communication technology, as well as completing a selfie-based identity verification process.

Following the trial phase, Malaysians will be required to log in via MyDigital ID when using MyNIISe from January 15, while foreign travellers will continue using the existing MyNIISe login system.

Malaysians aged 18 and above are encouraged to download and register for MyDigital ID in advance through the Apple App Store, Google Play or Huawei AppGallery.

The immigration rollout follows similar steps taken across other government services. In 2024, the Road Transport Department announced that MyDigital ID would be required for continued access to its digital platforms.

From December 1, 2025, telecommunications companies also began integrating MyDigital ID into their applications, enabling safer SIM card registration and allowing users to verify prepaid numbers linked to their MyKad through MyIDverify technology.

The initiative is supported by the National Cyber Security Agency and coordinated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. While registration for MyDigital ID is not yet mandatory, the government is encouraging adoption by embedding it into high-usage services.

In the longer term, MyDigital ID is expected to become a standard login for services including police summonses, road transport services, government payments, public housing, travel-related facilities and financial aid, as well as secure access to major government applications such as MyJPJ and MyBayar PDRM. - January 13, 2026