No travel pass needed to visit spouses living abroad

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians wanting to meet their spouses overseas will no longer be required to apply for permission to travel via MyTravelPass from tomorrow.

They are among the seven categories of people who can leave the country without prior approval from the Immigration Department.

Immigration director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud said those travelling abroad for emergency purposes and critical illness also need not apply for permission ahead of time.

“For those wanting to meet their husbands or wives abroad, the exemption is given if their marriages are registered overseas,” he said.

Individuals participating in sporting events and championships, seminars and meetings as well as those going for humanitarian missions abroad also need not apply.

Other categories are students accepted by foreign universities and the two persons accompanying them, students leaving to resume their studies and their two escorts as well as those sitting for examination overseas and the two persons going with them.

“Travellers must have all the documents for the purpose of their travel to show to Immigration officers when leaving the country.”

Khairul Dzaimee said exemption from having to apply via MyTravelPass remained for Malaysians and foreign diplomats.

On Sept 16, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein asked the department to review the categories of applications to head overseas that can be granted permission directly, without having to go through MyTravelPass.

He said the directive was issued by the National Security Council following the pandemic management special committee meeting, following public feedback and views on the MyTravelPass programme.