THE Malaysian Immigration Department is ready to issue a 10-year valid passport, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said.
He said the study to extend the validity of the passport has been completed.
“A 10-year passport validity is not new.
"Neighbouring countries like Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore are also doing it. The same with countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy and France.
"They too issue 10-year passports,” he told reporters in Kota Kinabalu today.
He said the study has been completed and Malaysia has decided on this direction, adding that Malaysians will soon have this option beyond the present 5-year passport validity.
Saifuddin said this during the opening of the Sabah Immigration Department's latest passport issuing office at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport today.
On a separate issue, he said the ministry will replace birth certificates or MyKad for free for flood victims who have lost or damaged their documents.
“They only need to come to our offices (National Registration Department), and the documents will be replaced.
"Except for passports, for which they would have to pay a fine,” he said when questioned over the recent floods in Sabah.
Saifuddin said the passport issuing office at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is Malaysia’s first.
It has been operational for two weeks, and he said other services, such as limited travel papers, would be subsequently introduced at the office.
The passport issuing office at KKIA is open from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
He also said that six more immigration inspection lanes have been opened at Tawau Airport, with four inbound and two outbound counters.
Malaysian passports offer visa exemption in 183 nations, placing it 12th in ranking worldwide, based on the Passport Index 2024 issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). – July 12, 2024.
