LANGKAWI – Foreigners stranded on the holiday resort island following travel restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic are advised to report to the Immigration Department before departing.
In particular, they are strongly urged to submit their identity and travel documents to extend their stay on the island, failing which they may be blacklisted and barred from reentering.
Langkawi Business Association deputy president Datuk Isaac Alexander said the Immigration Department on the island has agreed, following discussions, to process requests for stay extensions without fining and blacklisting individuals, provided that a complete set of documents is submitted.
“The immigration officers understand the plight of the overstayed visitors and have kindly agreed to allow extensions,” Alexander told The Vibes.
“We want applicants to secure appointments with the immigration officers online.
“However, visitors who have overstayed should leave the country within a month, an offer valid until the end of May 2021,” he said.
Alexander was responding to The Vibes’ report yesterday highlighting the plight of visitors whose permits to be in Malaysia had expired but were still allowed by the government to stay on.
Many have been here since the first movement control order was imposed in March last year.
Notices from several foreign missions in Malaysia telling their nationals stranded in the country to leave by April 21 this year have come as a shock to many in Langkawi.
The deadline is based on the grace period granted by Putrajaya to foreigners whose social visit passes expired in 2020, but were unable to leave due to the movement curbs enforced to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Most of the long-stay guests in Langkawi have made trips to Thailand to renew their visas when needed.
Alexander urged the affected visitors to make use of the opportunity to leave the country as no more grace will be given to them, and the Immigration Department has promised to help them.
“Never attempt to leave without informing the Immigration Department as you will be detained, fined, and blacklisted for not doing so,” he said. – The Vibes, April 24, 2021
