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The Immigration Department (JIM) has clarified that Malaysia's 10-year passport validity complies with international rules
Speaking to Berita Harian, Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban assured travellers that there are no domestic or international rules prohibiting passports from being valid for 10 years or longer.
He was responding to viral social media posts claiming that Malaysia's 10-year passport validity violates international rules.
Here's why some travellers faced boarding hiccups abroad
The online debate gained traction after social media user Nurhamizah Zaid shared that she and several clients encountered boarding issues while travelling in Zimbabwe.
Zakaria clarified that from a border control perspective, there is no issue with a passport issued with a validity period of 10 years or more.
"However, confusion arose when several holders of Malaysian international passports with validity periods exceeding 10 years encountered problems during check-in with several airlines overseas," he said in a statement today, 12 August.
He explained that Malaysia has decided to cap passport validity at 10 years and notified international airlines accordingly. JIM has also temporarily paused issuing passports with a validity period exceeding 10 years.
Here's what you should do if you encounter flight booking issues with your 10-year Malaysian passport
For Malaysians running into online system glitches while booking flights with a 10-year passport, Zakaria advised purchasing tickets directly at airline service counters.
"We do not issue supporting documents to verify individual 10-year passports as valid travel documents," he said.
"Travellers only need to purchase their tickets at the counter so direct verification can be completed there," Zakaria added, noting that the department received several complaints regarding flight booking issues.
He also added that existing passports with more than 10 years' validity will be replaced for free.
