THE Government has introduced a revised international passport system featuring enhanced security features and a policy shift that for the first time allows eligible applicants to opt for a 10-year validity passport alongside the standard five-year document.
Launched on June 30, the new framework enables Malaysians aged 18 to 59 to choose between a five-year passport priced at RM200 and a 10-year passport priced at RM350, with authorities describing the extended validity option as a measure to improve convenience and reduce the frequency of renewals, alongside an estimated saving of about RM50 compared with renewing a five-year passport twice.
The Immigration Department said eligibility for the 10-year passport is restricted to adults and senior citizens, while several categories are excluded from the scheme, including children under 12, teenagers aged 13 to 17, students aged 21 and below pursuing undergraduate studies overseas, and Hajj pilgrims.
Persons with disabilities are subject to separate provisions, with those under 18 entitled to a free five-year passport, while eligible adults aged 18 and above may obtain a 10-year passport without charge.
The department confirmed that online renewal through the MyOnline Passport system remains limited to five-year passports only, with applicants seeking the 10-year option required to apply in person at designated Immigration offices.
Travellers are reminded that most international destinations require passports to have at least six months’ validity remaining, reinforcing the need for timely renewal ahead of overseas travel.
The rollout of the new passport system is being implemented in stages, with availability already extended to selected Immigration offices including the Putrajaya headquarters, several branches in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, KLIA, Melaka, Seremban and multiple Urban Transformation Centres.
The programme will continue to expand throughout July and August, covering additional offices across Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak, alongside selected Malaysian Immigration attache offices abroad in countries including Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Hong Kong.
In parallel with the new validity structure, the Immigration Department has revised passport replacement fees based on age group and frequency of loss.
For adults aged 18 to 59 holding a 10-year passport, replacement charges are set at RM550 for the first instance, RM850 for the second, and RM1,350 for the third and subsequent occurrences.
The department has advised applicants to carefully assess eligibility criteria, fee structures and application procedures before submitting applications, and to avoid unnecessary early replacement of valid passports. - July 3, 2026
.jpeg)
