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Immigration Dept Explains Procedure For Malaysians To Enter/Exit The Country (Finally)

Immigration Dept Explains Procedure For Malaysians To Enter/Exit The Country (Finally)

Some need approval, some do not, some can’t leave at all.

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The Immigration Department has released an update on the exit and entry procedures for Malaysians after confusion erupted last week over the travel restrictions.

In a circular dated 10 September, Immigration Director-General Datuk Indera Khairul Dzaimee Daud clarified that they have updated the travel procedure for Malaysian citizens who want to leave the country and return to Malaysia during the Restricted Movement Control Order Period (RMCO).

Exit procedure

Credit: TRP

The Immigration Department’s exit procedure is divided into two categories, one that requires approval from the department to leave the country and one that does not.

Those who do not need permission from the Immigration Department to leave:

  • Diplomats and their dependants who need to leave to carry out their duties
  • Students – those who are continuing their studies, or have just received their offer letters
  • Students who want to take exams
  • Long Term Social Visit Pass holders of other countries, including Permanent Residents, Employment Pass and others.
  • Employed with a petroleum company or shipping company that requires sign-on to the ship in other countries.

However, the categories above need to provide supporting documents to the immigration officer when exiting the country.

Those who require approval from Immigration Department to leave the country:

  • Malaysians who have had a history of entry into Malaysia during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
  • Recently received employment offer
  • Attending a meeting, seminar, exhibition or business affairs
  • Emergencies
  • Accompanying their child to study

The Immigration Department also outlined that those who want to leave for holidays and social visits to family members overseas are not allowed to do so.

Entry procedure

Credit: Malay Mail/Miera Zulyana

Malysians who have, or have not exited the country during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period are allowed to enter the country without seeking prior approval from the Immigration Department.

However, they are not allowed to leave the country again without getting approval from the Immigration Department, even though they are long term pass holders of another country.

Malaysians entering from a banned country, or a long term pass holder from a banned country are allowed to enter, even though they have exited the country during the MCO period.

The entry procedure is particularly important as there have been reports of Malaysians stranded in the airport for hours as officials on the ground are unsure if the new entry ban for 23 countries with high Covid-19 cases applied to them as well.

Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob later affirmed during the entry ban announcement on 1st September that Malaysian citizens cannot be barred from returning.

READ MORE: Malaysians Stranded In KLIA For Hours After Being Denied Entry Over Travel Ban Confusion

For more details on the travel procedure and visa status, visit the Immigration Department’s website (HERE).


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