PUTRAJAYA – The Immigration Department confirmed yesterday that all non-citizens with expired social visit passes will need to leave the country before or on April 21.
Referring to news reports about the matter, its director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud said enforcement action would be taken against those who failed to do so.
He added that those who have difficulties returning to their country of origin could request for a special pass to extend their stay in the country, but it would need to be supported by their respective embassies.
“Documentation proving their financial means and residential address while in the country must be attached,” he said in a statement today.
According to news reports, non-citizens from several countries received emails from their embassies in Malaysia informing them that they have until April 21 to leave the country or face fines or be detained.
The report stated that the date was based on the deferment period provided by the Malaysian government for people possessing expired social visit passes last year after they were stranded due to the movement control order.
Referring to the report, Khairul Dzaimee said the department understood the difficulties of cross-border travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but that the department found many non-citizens employed in illicit economic activities.
As of last year, 291 enforcement operations had been conducted targeting entertainment premises and massage centres with 1,281 non-citizens and 83 employers detained, he said.
“Foreigners who have been allowed to stay in the country based on social visit passes must comply with the rules and regulations set under the Immigration Act,” he added. – Bernama, April 13, 2021
