As we resume travel again post-pandemic, applying for a passport has become a priority for many. Still, the flood of applications has resulted in a backlog of appointments, with many people waiting weeks to receive their new passports. The good news is that this will reduce passport turnaround times in the coming months.
Following the reopening of the borders on 1 April 2022, the Immigration Department will extend its counter hours to 10pm for the next three months to meet the increased demand for international passports.
Immigration Director-General Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud made the decision to ensure seamless operations at Immigration Department offices around the country.
Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Negri Sembilan, and Melaka are among the six Immigration Department offices that will be open till 10 p.m., while the hours of operation in Penang, Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perlis have been extended until 6pm.
Khairul Dzaimee said the department had enough supplies to handle new and renewal applications for Malaysian international passports. Khairul Dzaimee added that there were enough passport books to go around, adding that the government kept 1.2 million passports in its store.
As of Friday (6 May 2022), the department issued 165,449 passports and the number of international passports issued by the immigration office between 1 April 2022, when the government reopened the country’s borders, and 11 May, at 7pm, is 208,607.
To expedite the application process and ease traffic at the counters, the public is encouraged to submit their applications online.
You can renew your passport online here.
