Renewing passport in Malaysia
Before you start packing your bags for a vacation, you’ll bump into the important 6-month rule when securing your flight tickets. That is, have at least 6 months of validity on your passport or be at risk of two potential scenarios down the road: getting stuck at immigration checks or being denied boarding.
The mention of renewing your passport in Malaysia will likely conjure up mental images of snaking queues and long wait times at an immigration office near you. But with online passport renewals made possible in 2022, the process has become less of a hassle.
Here’s the lowdown on passport renewal in Malaysia.
All you need to know about renewing your passport in Malaysia
Before you renew your Malaysian International Passport (PMA) online or in person, it’s a must to have your expired or expiring passport in hand as you’ll need to reference it during the renewal application process.
In the case of a lost or damaged passport, Malaysians are required to file an official report at the nearest police station. You’ll then need to head to an immigration office with the following documents: police report (missing case), MyKad or MyKid, birth certificate and MyKad of parents (for applicants under 18 years old), and a filled IM42c questionnaire form.
Approvals for replacement passports that have been lost or damaged will take about 5 working days from the date you applied.
When to renew your passport and how much it costs
As for when is the best time to renew your passport, you can do so at any given time. But it’s widely recommended to only do so when there are 6 months left on your passport, from the date of issue. This is because the remaining period of validity in your old passport can be included in the renewal, at a maximum limit of 6 months only.
There’s also a fee that comes with renewing your passport:
- RM200 for ordinary applicants (13-59 years old)
- RM100 for senior citizens (60 years and over)
- RM100 for children (12 years and under)
- RM100 for students attending degree programmes abroad (21 years and under)
- RM100 for pilgrimage
- Free for people with disabilities (OKU) who can produce a Registration Card issued by the Social Welfare Department as proof
All fees must be paid using a credit or debit card, e-Wallet payment, or via internet banking (FPX), as cash is no longer accepted for passport renewal application fees. While the government has mulled extending the Malaysian passport validity to 10 years, passport renewal currently has a validity period of 5 years from the date of issue.
Do I need to make an appointment?
Image credit: Malay Mail
You won’t need to make an appointment for passport renewal in Malaysia, as the Immigration Department has since abolished the Online Appointment System (STO) country-wide since May 2022. To help with the crowds at immigration counters, operating hours at immigration offices and Urban Transformation Centres (UTC) have been extended:
- Monday-Thursday: 8am-1pm & 2pm-5pm
- Friday: 8am-12.15pm & 2.45pm-5pm
- Saturday: 8am-12.30pm
- Sunday: Closed
Do I apply for passport renewal online or in person?
Image credit: Janet
Most immigration offices nationwide now only accommodate those who renew their passports online with Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia’s MyOnline Passport portal. If you’re planning to head to an immigration office and get the process done in person at a counter, you’ll likely be directed to fill up an online application form if you aren’t in the following group:
- People with disabilities
- Children aged 13 and under
- Students who will continue their studies abroad at the Bachelor’s Degree level
- Pilgrimage
Likewise, you’ll need to visit a Malaysian Immigration Office to renew your passport in person for the following reasons:
- You’ve left the country illegally
- Your passport is lost, damaged, or expired
- You receive a message saying, “Please Refer to the Immigration Office”
Not to fret – the online application process is designed to be straightforward, so you can complete it from the comfort of your couch. As long as you’re eligible and have all your documents readied, you can complete the process in under 10 minutes.
The steps will go something like this. You’ll start by filling up personal information like name and identification number and previous passport details. Upon completing this part of the application, you’ll pick a date and time to collect your new passport, and then make a cashless payment.
You can pick up your passport at a preferred Malaysian Immigration office from a passport recipient and issuance office from a dropdown list, which are all also listed here. The website recommends showing up 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
If you manage to fill out your application before 3pm on a working day, you can expect to strut out with your new passport by the end of the day. But if you’re a bit of a procrastinator and end up submitting your application after 3pm, it’ll be ready for collection by 10am on the following working day.
What documents do I need to bring with me?
After your application has been completed, you’ll receive an email that lets you know if your passport renewal has been approved and is ready for pick-up. For collection, you’ll need to bring along your current passport, MyKad, a printed copy of your payment receipt, and a passport-sized photo.
Applicants under 18 years old will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during collection, and bring along a birth certificate.
If you didn’t receive an email or were notified that there was an issue with your online renewal application, you can check the status of your application on the same MyOnline Passport portal here. You’ll likely be directed to head to the chosen collection spot with the same documents listed above in hand.
There are typically designated lanes and counters at the immigration office for those correcting any issues like incorrect passport photo dimensions during the online application process.
What are the requirements for Malaysian passport photo size?
Now, we’ve all likely heard about the strict guidelines when it comes to passport photos and submitting them online via MyOnline Passport portal. But there are some tips and tricks listed by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia to help you nail your passport photo requirements.
Image credit: Imigresen Online
For online applications, you’ll need to upload a recent passport photo that’s 35mm by 50mm in size, and preferably taken at a professional photo studio. Photos must be taken against a white background and you should wear dark clothing that covers your chest and shoulders so that you don’t blend into the background.
If you’re planning to reuse an old passport photo, ensure that the photo has been taken in the past month.
Image credit: Imigresen Online
Ensure that your face is fully straight-on and visible, and fill 50-60%, or about 25-30mm, of the photo space size. All sorts of accessories, glasses, or contact lenses cannot be worn too. Those who wear a hijab must ensure that it doesn’t cover the forehead or cast any shadows and that it is also dark-coloured and without any patterns.
Guide to passport renewal in Malaysia
Getting your passport renewed may sound complicated, but it’s become a much simpler process now that most of the steps have been taken online. This guide and the tips we included should help make the renewal process simpler for you, so you can be on your way to booking that flight and setting out on your next adventure.
For more helpful guides, read:
Cover image adapted from: The SmartLocal Malaysia & Unsplash