Categories of Malaysians who can exit the country without MyTravelPass approval from 1 October 2021

These include locals travelling for emergency management such as death and critical illness, those travelling to meet their spouses abroad, and more, per the Immigration Department's announcement on 29 September.

The Malaysian Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia/JIM) announced on Wednesday (29 September 2021) that effective 1 October 2021, all Malaysian citizens who wish to leave the country for selected purposes will be exempted from applying for MyTravelPass (MTP) approval.

In particular, this exemption will apply to the following:

• Students who have just received an offer to study at a foreign university, with up to two escorts;
• Older students who are continuing their studies abroad, with two escorts;
• Students who sit for examinations abroad with 2 escorts;
• Malaysians travelling for emergencies such as death and critical illness;
• Malaysians travelling to meet their wife or husband abroad, in cases where the marriage is only registered abroad;
• Those participating in sports events, seminars and meetings;
• Those participating in humanitarian aid missions.

JIM has also clarified that Malaysian diplomats and foreign diplomats will continue to be exempted from applying for the MTP, per existing rulings,

All documents related to the purpose of travel must be shown to the Immigration Officer on duty at the counters at any entrance of the country.

This story was updated on 4 October 2021, with an infographic by JIM on the procedures:

Separately, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has issued a statement clarifying matters related to the government's recent announcement on travel permission in the country.

The ministry said: "The COVID-19 Pandemic Management Special Committee meeting which is also the highest Committee to decide on the opening of the economic and non-economic sectors, was chaired by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on 22 September 2021. He had stated that the government would allow the opening of tourist centres, islands or tourist areas as well as cross-state activities provided the country achieves 90% adult vaccination rate (nationwide) based on data and analysis made by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.

"The government will make an official announcement as soon as it gets a suitable date."

Based on records through the COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Assurance Special Committee (JKJAV), as of 28 September 2021, a total of 85.1% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated, MOTAC said.

For now, cross-state permits for tourism activities are only allowed through the Langkawi Tourism Bubble only in accordance with the SOPs that have been set.

Meanwhile, domestic tourists are allowed to take part in Intra-state tourism activities (within the same state) for states that are in Phase Two and above, based on the National Recovery Plan (NRP). Permission to conduct tourism activities is subject to SOPs that have been gazetted by the NSC, MOTAC stated.

Photo / 123RF

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