PETALING JAYA: The Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 has been extended until next year, the Immigration Department says.
In a statement on Thursday (April 30), Immigration Department director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the programme, which was slated to conclude on April 30, has been extended until May 31, 2027.
“This decision was made based on an assessment of the programme’s effectiveness. Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 has recorded significant achievements, including a high number of registrations, consistent voluntary repatriations, and encouraging compound collections, thereby contributing to a reduction in the number of illegal immigrants in the country.
“From May 19, 2025, to April 29, 2026, Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 recorded a total of 254,186 registrations involving illegal immigrants from 112 countries, with total revenue collection amounting to RM127mil. This demonstrates the effectiveness of a voluntary compliance approach in managing national migration,” he said.
He added that the department would also step up enforcement actions.
“At the same time, the department will continue to intensify comprehensive and continuous enforcement actions through integrated operations, intelligence, and nationwide monitoring to detect, arrest, prosecute, and deport individuals who violate immigration laws, including employers or parties who harbour them.
“In this regard, all illegal immigrants are urged to come forward immediately to resolve their status through legal channels before enforcement action is taken,” he said.
Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 is a voluntary amnesty initiative that allows undocumented migrants to return to their home countries without facing prosecution.
The programme does not apply to individuals who registered under earlier repatriation initiatives but failed to leave the country, those blacklisted by the department, or individuals wanted by the authorities.
