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The Immigration Department has reminded Malaysians not to wait until the last minute to renew or replace their passports, highlighting five situations where getting a new passport is necessary
In a public advisory shared on its official Facebook page on 25 June, the department stressed that passports should always be kept in good condition and meet international travel requirements to avoid issues when travelling abroad.
According to the department, one of the most common reasons travellers run into difficulties is allowing their passport validity to get too close to its expiry date.
Most countries require visitors to have at least six months of remaining validity on their passports before they are allowed to enter.
As such, Malaysians are advised to renew their passports once the remaining validity falls below the six-month mark.
1. Your passport has less than six months' validity remaining
The Immigration Department said most countries impose a minimum six-month passport validity requirement for foreign visitors.
Travelling with a passport that is close to expiring could result in being denied entry or facing complications during your journey.
2. Your passport pages are almost full
A passport should also be renewed when there are very few blank pages left.
The department said nearly full passport pages could create issues during international travel, particularly when immigration authorities need space for entry, exit, or visa stamps.
3. Your passport is damaged
Not all passport damage is cosmetic.
According to the department, a passport may be considered unusable if it is:
- Torn
- Water-damaged
- Equipped with a damaged chip
- Missing or has blurred biodata page details
- Missing or detached passport cover
- Affected by any other physical damage
A damaged passport may not be accepted by immigration authorities, even if it is still within its validity period.
4. Your passport has been lost
The department also reminded Malaysians to replace their passport if it has been lost or misplaced.
Travellers who lose their passports should report the matter and begin the replacement process as soon as possible.
5. Your personal information has changed
A new passport is also required when there are official changes to a passport holder's personal details.
This ensures that the information in the travel document remains accurate and consistent with official records.
The Immigration Department concluded its advisory with a simple reminder: don't wait until the last minute.
"Ensure your passport is always valid and in perfect condition to avoid any inconveniences during your overseas travel," the department said.
For frequent travellers and those planning upcoming holidays, checking passport validity and condition ahead of time could help avoid unnecessary disruptions at the airport or border checkpoints.
