JIM caps Malaysia passport validity at 10 years following complaints of airline check-in issues

Holders of affected passports can obtain a free replacement valid for up to 10 years and will receive priority processing.

Malaysia’s Immigration Department (JIM) has suspended the issuance of International Malaysian Passports (PMA) with validity periods exceeding 10 years following reports that some holders faced problems when travelling abroad.

Although the department said feedback from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) did not prohibit passports from being issued with validity periods of more than a decade, confusion arose at airline check-in counters overseas.

Some airlines reportedly interpreted the common requirement for travellers to hold a passport valid for at least six months differently when processing Malaysian passports that had been extended beyond the standard 10-year period.

To standardise procedures and reduce the risk of passengers being denied boarding, JIM has set the maximum passport validity period at 10 years with immediate effect.

Passport holders whose documents currently remain valid for more than 10 years may apply for a replacement passport free of charge. The replacement will carry a maximum validity of 10 years, and affected applicants will be given priority in the replacement process.

The department also said it would send notification letters to airlines to help prevent further disruption for Malaysian travellers holding affected passports abroad.

"JIM is committed to continuously improving the implementation of PMA for the convenience of the people and the smooth operation of international travel," the department shared.

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