PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Immigration Department today introduced an easier and quicker entry visa and permit approval system, MyTravelPass, for individuals entering the country.
The new system which comes into effect today, is expected to reduce the entry visa and permit application processing time from seven to five days or less.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud said MyTravelPass in an in-house system that was set up to expedite the approval process and reduce backlog in visa and permit application requests.
"We have received numerous complaints about the inefficiency of the previous system. Applicants previously had to email us their applications but this proved to be cumbersome, with no less than 8,000 emails and applications were received daily.
"With MyTravelPass, we are looking at a faster and more efficient way to submit the applications for approval process," he said in a press conference here today.
He said the department adopted the email application system during the Movement Control Order in March of this year.
Khairul Dzaimee said the MyTravelPass was applicable to all entry/exit pass, including for travels between Singapore and Malaysia.
"These include the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) pass, Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) pass, Spouse of Malaysian / Spouse of Malaysian Permanent Resident / Residence Pass / and for Dependent Visa application.
"Malaysian, Foreigner (social visit and PR), Foreign workers or maids, those under the Myentry (expatriate) and Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) can also apply through this MyTravelPass," he said.
Khairul Dzaimee however added that entry into Malaysia would still be subjected to the department's approval and vetting processes.
He said the new system was created by the department's Information Technology division to shorten the processing time and facilitate travel documentation process.
"The single window system accessible via the department's official website (www.imi.gov.my and www.mtp.imi.gov.my) allows both Malaysians and foreign applicants to submit their entry visa and permit applications online."
The MyTravelPass system also allows applicants to attach supporting documents online, he said.
He said the system was part of the government initiatives to improve government agencies' services and delivery system.