PUTRAJAYA – Seafarers with expired social visit passes are allowed to stay in the country until December 31, but they have to obtain a pass at the nearest Immigration office, said Immigration Director-General Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud.
Their applications must be accompanied by a letter of confirmation from their embassies, and a letter of support from the operators or owners of the marina where they are docked, he added.
He said the department has held a discussion with the Malaysian Marine Association and operators on the measures that the seafarers must take to enable them to continue to stay and moor at any marina after April 21.
“To assist foreign seafarers in Malaysian waters during the movement control order, the department has allowed them to continue staying in Malaysia until December 31 by obtaining the pass from the nearest Immigration office.”
Khairul Dzaimee said as of May 10, there are 138 foreign seafarers berthed legally in Malaysian waters.
“But some are found to be berthed illegally, and they are set to face the music.”
Previously, foreign nationals with expired passes had to leave the country before or on April 21, and failure to do so could result in enforcement action being taken, he added.
On April 21, Khairul Dzaimee announced that foreigners with expired passes must apply for a special pass to enable them to stay in the country while waiting for flights home to their countries of origin. – Bernama, May 10, 2021
