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The Malaysian government has officially introduced a 10-year passport validity option for citizens, effective 3 June 2026.
The change, formalised through the Fees (Passports and Visas) (Amendment) Order 2026, published in the Federal Government Gazette, ends decades of mandatory five-year renewals. The move brings Malaysia in line with several ASEAN neighbours, including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, which have already adopted longer passport validity periods.
Also read: Asian Countries with Visa-Free Access to Europe’s Schengen Area
New Fee Structure
Image credit: khai9000 via CanvaPro
|
Category |
10-Year Passport Fee |
5-Year Passport Fee (Unchanged) |
|---|---|---|
|
Malaysians (18–59 years) |
RM350 |
RM200 |
|
Senior citizens (60 years and above) |
RM175 (50% discount) |
RM100 |
|
Persons with disabilities (OKU card holders, 18+ years) |
Free |
Free |
|
Immigration Department officers and staff |
Free |
Free |
For context, the 10-year passport fee is 75% higher than the five-year option but provides double the validity period. The traditional five-year passport remains available at the original fee of RM200 for regular applicants.
Stricter Penalties for Lost Passports
With longer validity comes greater accountability. The government has introduced a punitive tiered fee structure for lost or damaged passports.
For regular citizens (aged 18–59) holding a 10-year passport:
|
Replacement Attempt |
Fee |
|---|---|
|
First replacement |
RM550 |
|
Second replacement |
RM850 |
|
Third replacement onwards |
RM1,350 |
These penalties are substantially higher than current rates and are designed to discourage careless handling of the longer-validity travel document.
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New Security Features Coming
Image credit: Malaysian Immigration Department Headquarters | Official Website
Separately, the Immigration Department is rolling out a new passport design with 94 security features: nearly double the 49 features in the current version. The rollout begins in phases from June 1, 2026, at selected offices, including Putrajaya, Jalan Duta (Kuala Lumpur), UTC Wangsa Maju, and Shah Alam. Full nationwide issuance is expected by July 2026.
Important: Existing passports remain valid until their expiry date. The public is advised not to rush to replace still-valid passports simply for the new features.
What This Means for Travellers
For frequent travellers, the 10-year option means:
-
Fewer renewals – once a decade instead of every five years
-
Less administrative hassle at immigration offices
-
Greater convenience for those living abroad
However, the higher upfront cost (RM350 vs RM200) and stricter lost-passport penalties mean travellers should take extra care of their documents.
Also read: From Singapore to Johor: Grab’s New Cross-Border Service Is Here
How to Apply
While the new 10-year passport has been gazetted, the Immigration Department’s official website still currently lists only the five-year option. Travellers are advised to check directly with their nearest Immigration Department office or UTC for availability.
