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Network School Arrival Guide (2025)

Updated Nov 11, 2025

Heading to Network School (NS), the frontier startup society in Forest City, for the first time?

NS will provide many services and communications to help new members arrive at Forest City. This is a supplementary guide to further reduce friction and make your arrival a stress-free one.

Learn to clear Malaysian and Singaporean immigration efficiently, setup connectivity to coordinate with NS and your cohort, how to use local services near Network School, and more.

Visa & Arrival Preparation

  • Many nationalities can enter Malaysia visa-free for short stays. Always verify current requirements for your passport with a reliable source like the Immigration Department of Malaysia (official government source) or Passport Index.
  • You must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) 3 days before arrival into Malaysia.
  • If you will arrive in Singapore and cross over into Malaysia by land, you will also have to complete the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) 3 days before your arrival.
  • Make sure your passport will not expire within 6 months upon entry.
  • NS will provide a SIM card for connectivity during your stay, after arrival in Forest City. But make a plan to establish connectivity before then (data-only eSIM from an online vendor is the most efficient).

Arriving in Singapore (SIN) or Senai Airport (JHB)

  • Forest City sits in southern Johor, Malaysia, giving you two airport options.
    • Singapore Changi (SIN) offers better international connections and often cheaper flights. But requires going through Singapore immigration and crossing the Malaysia-Singapore border.
    • Senai Airport (JHB) is closer and avoids border crossing inefficiencies. But has fewer international flights.
  • NS will provide information on transportation options from SIN to Forest City.
  • If you are arriving in JHB, use Grab to ride from there to Forest City directly.

Connectivity Before Network School

  • As NS will give you a local SIM card, it’s not recommended to purchase your own for a significant length of time.
  • Instead, purchase a data-only eSIM online that will last 1-3 days, enabling communication or using Grab if needed.
  • If you are arriving in Singapore, consider buying an eSIM that covers both Malaysia and Singapore.

How to Pay in Malaysia

Cash & ATMs in Forest City

  • Besides a few chains, most stores and services in Forest City are small shops that will not accept foreign credit cards.
  • There are a few ATMs – both independent and bank-owned – in the NS area if you need cash. All of these options have no fee to withdraw.
    • Maybank ATMs: insert your card before interacting with the screen, otherwise you will only see services specific to Maybank customers.

Credit Cards

  • Visa and Mastercard are accepted in all places that will accept credit card, but American Express support is limited.
  • Most stores that accept credit cards will have modern terminals that can accept contactless payment, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
  • Most stores will split a bill, including splitting per line-item.

Power in Malaysia

  • Plug type: Type G.
  • Voltage: 240V, frequency 50 Hz.
  • Rooms at NS and some power bars found in NS-owned spaces have some outlets that can also accept other plug types.
  • Most modern chargers handle 100–240 V automatically. You just need the right plug adapter when necessary. Use a resource like World of Sockets for more info.

Shopping

  • NS will supply you with a SIM card that has a local phone number, enabling you to use local shopping services like Lazada and Shopee.
  • You may still find issues with either platform not supporting specific foreign credit cards.