PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department will introduce an online special pass (eSP) starting January 2025 to speed up government transactions, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said it is also one of the initiatives to digitalise service delivery.
A special pass is a document issued to foreigners to grant the holder the right to enter and stay in Malaysia for no more than 30 days based on Regulation 14 of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
Saifuddin Nasution said currently, the application for and issuance of special passes are carried out manually, meaning applicants need to be present physically at a counter to submit their documents.
“On average, 50% of the total transactions at the Social and Professional Visit Pass counter at the Visa, Pass and Permit Division of the Immigration Department is related to special pass applications, and this has caused congestion.
“The implementation of the eSP will help reduce congestion among customers who come to the counter and instil a new work culture of the ‘silent office’,” he told reporters after attending the ministry’s monthly assembly here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Also present was Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
A total of 139,344 special passes were issued in 2023. As of October this year, a total of 119,019 special passes have been issued to foreigners.
Saifuddin Nasution said among those who can apply for the eSP facility are any foreign national awaiting a decision for a new application or extension and exchange of a long-term social visit pass, as well as a professional visit pass.
Those who experience problems such as being sick (hospitalised), involved in a road accident, a natural disaster or being in a situation beyond the applicant’s control and other reasons deemed appropriate and reasonable, can also apply for the facility.
“Basically, eSP is a facility for applicants in managing immigration-related matters, especially in emergency situations or those that require special consideration,” Saifuddin Nasution said.
However, he stressed that the Home Ministry does not compromise on security aspects when the application process is done online.
Applicants must meet the conditions and qualifications set in accordance with the current policy in force and are required to upload the required supporting documents.Each application will be carefully reviewed by officers to ensure that only foreigners who are truly eligible will be granted eSP facilities, he added.
Applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements or are not approved will be instructed to go to the nearest Immigration office for further inspection and clarification regarding the status of their application.
