The Malaysian Immigration Department announced that it will launch a new online Special Pass (eSP) starting January next year, specifically designed for foreign nationals entering and planning to stay in Malaysia for no more than 30 days.
This move aims to enhance administrative efficiency and accelerate the digitization of government affairs.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin, announced at today's monthly meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs that the introduction of this pass is based on the provisions of Section 14 of the Immigration Act of 1963. The eSP allows the holder to legally stay in Malaysia for up to 30 days.
Saifuddin pointed out that the Immigration Department issued a total of 139,344 special passes last year, and as of October this year, it has issued 119,019 to foreign nationals.
Through this new online platform, foreign nationals can more conveniently manage their matters related to Social Visit Passes (PLS) and Professional Visit Passes (PLIK).
He further explained that the eSP mainly facilitates those foreign nationals who need to extend their stay under special circumstances or encounter emergencies.
For example, applicants may be waiting for the results of visa extensions, conversions, or new visa applications, or unable to depart on time due to hospitalization for illness, traffic accidents, natural disasters, or other uncontrollable factors.
Currently, the application and issuance of special passes are processed manually, and foreign nationals must personally visit the immigration counter to submit relevant documents. Saifuddin revealed that about 50% of foreign citizens visiting the Immigration Department are dealing with residency matters, which often leads to crowded conditions at the visa, pass, and permit sections.
He stated that the launch of the online Special Pass will greatly alleviate congestion at the counters and drive the Immigration Department towards a more efficient and modernized working model. Although the process is completed online, Saifuddin emphasized that the Ministry of Home Affairs will still strictly monitor to ensure the security and transparency of the application process. All applicants must comply with relevant policies and upload the necessary documents for support.
He said that each application will be carefully reviewed to ensure that only qualified foreign nationals can enjoy the convenience brought by the eSP. For applicants who do not pass the review, they will be required to go to the nearest immigration office for further inspection and explanation.
