What is a Malaysian Special Pass?

Who Needs to Apply for a Malaysia Special Pass?

Since 2016, based on the new regulations that the Department of Immigration set, foreign nationals can apply for a Malaysia country Special Pass if they can prove and bring a solid reason that they cannot leave the country by the expiration date that their current Pass has. The type of foreigners’ current Pass is not important, and foreigners can apply for a Special Pass regardless of their current Visit Pass, Employment Pass, Student Pass, etc.

Currently, it is impossible to receive a Malaysia Special Pass if foreigners have not requested an application for the renewal of their Pass at the appropriate time. In addition, foreigners trying to convert their Student Pass to an Employment Pass cannot get a Special Pass.

Due to the explanation above, foreign nationals will only be able to obtain a Special Pass which states that they are in the process of arranging for your exit from Malaysia (“Making Arrangements to Leave the Country”).

If foreigners want to apply for a new Pass but do not have sufficient time on their current Pass, their only option is to leave the country and reapply. However, if foreign nationals want to check whether they are eligible to get a Special Pass, they must contact the Immigration Department of Malaysia and ask for information.

Expatriates’ Reasons to Get a Special Pass

As mentioned above, there are two reasons why expatriates can get their Special Pass based on them:

Making Arrangements to Exit Malaysia

This type of Special Pass grants a 30-day stay to the foreign nationals to stay longer in Malaysia. For example, a foreign national is not able to leave Malaysia before their current Pass expires. Therefore, a special Pass allows them to have more time to prepare for leaving the country without facing any punishments. For this, the foreign national must present a copy of a flight itinerary to show their intention to leave and their departure date from Malaysia. If the Special Pass is approved, the Pass may be extended until the intended departure date.

Pending Approval of an Employment or Student Pass

The foreign national may be able to apply for a Special Pass in cases where they are renewing their work pass (or other related passes) in Malaysia (pending the decision on the relevant renewal application) for up to 30 days beyond expiration. For this case, the foreign national must provide evidence to show that their Pass application is still in progress. In addition, it is possible for foreign nationals to apply for a second Special Pass if they can’t complete their renewal application within the validity period of the Special Pass. However, they may need to provide evidence, such as a copy of their flight ticket, to show that they will leave Malaysia if their renewal application is not completed by the end of the second Special.

What are the Required Documents for a Malaysia Special Pass?

There are some required documents that expatriates need to collect and submit in order to apply successfully for a Malaysia Special Pass, such as:

• Their passport (must be original, not copied)
• Copies of all the pages of the expatriates’ passports. They may also be asked to submit copies of previous passports if they have access to them.
• A photocopy of their current Pass
• If the expatriate has any dependents, they will need to have:
  • A copy of the expatriate’s passport like the details page and their current immigration Pass. In this case, the expatriate is considered the primary Pass holder.
  • For spouses: A marriage certificate
  • For a dependent child: Birth certificate
  • For the dependent parent: A birth certificate of the primary Pass holder
• A booked flight ticket in the next 30 days.
• A Typed letter with complete information explaining the reason for requesting a Special Pass.

Note: The list above is not a complete list of required documents, and the Malaysian Immigration Department has the right to ask for any documents they consider relevant. All documents, including birth and marriage certificates, must be translated into English and certified as true copies (CTC) by your country’s Embassy in Malaysia. Read our article to learn about the complete Malaysian visa requirements.

How Can I Apply for a Malaysia Special Pass?

The Immigration Department of Malaysia is responsible for processing Malaysian Special Passes. Applicants must appear before their Pass expires. Malaysia Special Passes need to be extended and applied for. The application deadline is 7 days prior to the expiration of the current Pass.

If the expatriate is an international student, their school can arrange the application for a Special Pass on their behalf. However, the school is only responsible for applying, and the student must cover all the costs related to the Special Pass. Foreign workers should speak to their employer to determine who needs to apply for the Special Pass. Many times, employers obtain Special Passes on behalf of employees.

What Will Happen if I overstay in Malaysia?

If a foreigner stays in Malaysia longer than the expiration of their Pass indicates, they will have overstayed. Malaysia considers overstaying a punishable offense, subjecting you to detention and a fine. The Immigration Department of Malaysia issues the punishment for overstaying.

Can I Work with a Malaysia Special Pass?

This is a common question. It depends on the Immigration Department. Generally speaking, an expatriate is allowed to continue working while they have a Special Pass. However, the Immigration Department might prohibit a foreign national from working in Malaysia while having the Special Pass.

The Bottom Line …

The Malaysia Special Pass is ideal for international foreigners who want to stay in Malaysia for 30 days longer due to unusual circumstances. Foreign nationals must bring reasons and convince the immigration department to obtain this Pass. Depending on the immigration department, foreign nationals can have or be deprived of the ability to work while holding the Special Pass.