Malaysians were informed that the travel ban had been lifted since April. Now, although you may be enthusiastic about travelling, don’t forget to check the expiration date of your most vital travel document. That’s right, your passport.
Normally, simply renewing your passport for a trip at the Immigration Office is a chore. After all, it could take a whole day just to renew your passport! However, a poster recently started circulating on social media declaring that walk-in passport renewal applications would no longer be accepted starting 11th May. What?
Fret not! According to a statement issued by the Immigration Department on 9th May, all passport renewals in the nation must be processed using the online system, MyOnline Passport. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, there are certain bonuses to renewing your passport online. Here’s a simple step-by-step on how it’s done:
MyOnline Passport: A Guide to Passport Renewal
Step 1: Log on to the MyOnline Passport Portal
Step 2: Thoroughly read the terms and conditions before clicking the ‘Setuju (Agree)’ button at the bottom of the page
Step 3: Fill up the particulars – i.e. passport number, IC number, collection office
Step 4: Submit necessary documents – i.e. passport photo
Step 5: Proceed with payment
Step 6: Print out documents needed for collection
A few things to take note though. Applicants can choose which office to collect their new passport from but the date and time of collection will be determined by the system. The following are the renewal fees: RM200 for regular citizens (aged 13 to 59); RM100 for senior citizens (Age 60 and above).
Walk-in applications are only eligible for senior citizens, individuals with impairments, children under the age of 13, Haj pilgrims, and students. Additionally, walk-ins are also accepted for new passport applications, lost passport applications, and replacement/damaged passport applications.
Aside from that, online applicants should be mindful of the photo that must be uploaded for the renewal application. You have to wear dark-coloured apparel in front of a white backdrop and the photo must be taken by a professional photographer. It cannot be a simple polaroid photo.
Don’t forget to verify your status on the Immigration Department’s Electronic Review System for any national blacklisting before renewing your passport just for extra precaution. Additionally, the immigration offices are open from 8am to 10pm on weekdays and from 8am to 12:30pm on weekends.
Sources: The Star, Xuan, Human Resource Online
