KUALA LUMPUR – Foreign spouses to Malaysians do not have to apply for MyTravelPass as long as they obtain the pass for spouses of Malaysian citizens when entering the country.
A source from the Immigration Department clarified this with The Vibes, in light of the confusion stemming from the procedures announced by Immigration Department director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud on October 28.
“The husband or wife of a local Malaysian has to have the pass for spouses before entering Malaysia. If the spouse does not have one, then they must apply for MyTravelPass,” said the source who requested anonymity when contacted today.
Last week, Khairul said that starting November 1, foreigners holding Malaysian long-term visit passes will be permitted to enter the country without going through immigration clearance with MyTravelPass as long as said passes are valid.
He added that entry upon arrival in Malaysia is still subject to existing immigration rules in force as well as the Health Ministry’s health screening and quarantine procedures.
Meanwhile, a check on the Immigration Department website showed that applications for MyTravelPass will take 14 working days to be processed, believed to be increased from seven working days due to the high number of applications received.
Previously, travellers who were allowed entry into Malaysia without having to apply for immigration clearance were diplomats, those with employment passes (categories I, II, III), resident pass-talent, professional visit pass-specialist, and professional visit passes.
Others also granted similar privileges were permanent residents, holders of long-term passes – husband/wife/child to citizens, widow/widowers to citizens – as well as those with senior citizen passes, student passes, My Second Home passes, resident passes, and temporary work visit passes.
These included the dependants, spouses, children, and foreign maids for the respective pass holders. – The Vibes, November 5, 2021