I’m heading to Singapore this coming Monday for the Snow Patrol concert (woohoo!), and thus there was a need to finally renew my international passport that’s expiring next month (the fact that you can’t use it anymore 6 months before expiration date is dumb)

So I went on imi.gov.my just to check what I need to get it done, and that’s when I discover that you can actually do it online. Which is quite baffling since we’re supposed to be a 3rd world country and our government services were mostly still operating with 80s mindset – “system down! besok mari!”

passport renewal
a bit of photo editing skills go a long way to save monehh

Anyway, all you got to do is put in your IC and passport number, the system will then pull up all the information from your previous record, and you can edit them if there were errors. Then the process is simple:

  • check to make sure information is correct
  • upload passport photo
  • pay via online banking/credit card
  • choose the immigration office you want to collect your brand new passport from
  • collect after 2 hours

And it was really as simple as that. My faith in Wawasan 2020 is back! Now if every department is half as efficient as these guys…

Pro tip: I just asked my colleague to snap a photo of me using my phone, and then with some pixie dust and magical moves via GIMP I made my shirt dark (a requirement), the background blue (another requirement), and then crop the photo into their preferred dimension.

Pro tip 2: Remember to bring the printed receipt and your old passport and IC to collect the new one. I forgot the receipt the first time so had to go there twice, the 2.1 hour was a lie.

How to Renew Malaysian Passport in 2.1 hours
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84 thoughts on “How to Renew Malaysian Passport in 2.1 hours

  • August 3, 2012 at 3:32 pm
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    WOW this is informative. And surprised to know that Malaysia has actually come to this level! Now passport renewal is as simple as 1,2,3! 😉

    Reply
    • August 3, 2012 at 11:58 pm
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      Joyce: haha, very surprising isn’t it?

      Reply
  • August 3, 2012 at 5:31 pm
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    OMG!!! We have such a facility??? I clicked on the link to ensure you were not kidding. 😉 I rang my mom, my sis, my friends and everyone ….. to read your blog. Thank YOU for sharing!!!!

    Reply
    • August 3, 2012 at 11:58 pm
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      celine: haha, you are welcome! 😀

      Reply
  • August 3, 2012 at 5:47 pm
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    u mean after the online photo upload n form filled up n pay up, u didn’t get your passport after 2 hours at desired immigration office? then how long does it takes? the truth pls

    Reply
    • August 3, 2012 at 11:59 pm
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      ken: I would have gotten it in 2 hours if I brought the receipt. I had to drive back to get the receipt which made it a bit longer. It’s my fault la actually not theirs. 😀

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    • August 3, 2012 at 11:59 pm
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      Ken Wooi: *bow*. hahaha.

      Reply
  • August 3, 2012 at 10:59 pm
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    “system down! besok mari!” >>>> Best ever,ROFL!!!

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    • August 4, 2012 at 12:00 am
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      Kash: that’s very typical isn’t it? lol.

      Reply
      • August 4, 2012 at 12:36 am
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        At least you could make up your own photo, our country’s embassy in the country I live was a different ball game. The officer informed me they don’t allow the use of own photos. So I went, fill up form everything, then he said he will take the photo. He used his Iphone and took it and charged me €10 for it!!! Best part is tarak resit! Grrrr, masuk pocket the € for him.

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        • August 4, 2012 at 12:37 am
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          Kash: hahaha that one a bit kena conned d. REPORT! 😛

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          • August 4, 2012 at 12:43 am
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            How to??? If don’t give then they will delay processing etc, if report, god knows what will they do to my application. Just to ask you, can you feel the microchip in your passport? I can’t feel mine, so I’m not sure if can use for the auto gate at KLIA???

            Reply
            • August 5, 2012 at 9:43 pm
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              Kash: there’s only one way to try!

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    • August 5, 2012 at 9:45 pm
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      ciki: ahh, you win la. haha

      Reply
  • August 6, 2012 at 6:50 pm
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    KY, that is quick for renewing a Malaysian Passport. Thai Passport seems to take days to renew it btw.

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    • August 7, 2012 at 10:46 pm
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      Nice: haha ya this was very fast indeed

      Reply
  • August 7, 2012 at 8:45 am
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    and i just renewed my passport the old way just a few weeks ago and it’s pretty fast too

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    • August 7, 2012 at 10:47 pm
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      eiling: yep, except you need to spend about 2 hours at the jabatan lor

      Reply
  • August 8, 2012 at 2:42 pm
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    Convenient in a way….but bad business for photo shop owners….

    Reply
    • August 8, 2012 at 6:48 pm
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      JD: i don’t have problem with that. haha

      Reply
  • August 8, 2012 at 9:47 pm
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    🙂 wah, lu ah neh ho liao. memang boleh lah you!

    Reply
  • August 10, 2012 at 12:28 pm
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    The last time I did it a couple years ago, it was 2 hours but must come to their office to do it. Then spend the 2 hours hanging around until its ready. Good, now that it’s online no need to hang around.

    Reply
    • August 11, 2012 at 2:00 pm
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      Z: ya, it’s even more efficient now.

      Reply
  • September 27, 2012 at 12:15 am
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    Can I collect it not exactly the collection date ? as it had a collection date and time in receipt but i not able to collect it in time.

    please reply me asap

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    • October 23, 2012 at 11:07 am
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      GL: you can collect it late.

      Reply
  • October 23, 2012 at 10:56 am
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    What is the resolution and size of the photo file? If the dimension too large how?

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    • October 23, 2012 at 11:05 am
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      Garry: it’ll reject if it’s too large, I think within 5 megabyte or something like that.

      Reply
  • November 27, 2012 at 4:43 pm
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    if i forgot to print out the receipt, where to get the receipt again? i could not find it…><

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    • November 29, 2012 at 2:33 pm
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      zhileeen: I think you can probably reprint the receipt.

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    • February 13, 2013 at 9:34 pm
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      zhileeen did u manage to find ta receipt back?omg im facing ta same problem now..i duno wat to do now..=(

      Reply
  • January 6, 2013 at 4:50 pm
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    Agree with your “System down,mari esok”
    This Morning (8am)i went to Duta Immigration Malaysia.. kiosk cant use then go counter ask they say system down..can go other branch do….
    Fine,so i went to Pudu Immigration Malaysia … wait 3 hour and going my turn then i heard they say seluruh Malaysia System down….hari ini tak pasti boleh buat jadi balik dulu…..OMG~!!Malaysia Culture “SYSTEM DOWN”

    If online do how long can collect passport?

    Reply
    • January 8, 2013 at 9:06 am
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      Kate: ah, that’s a shame. I did online and collected 2 hours later.

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  • January 19, 2013 at 11:16 pm
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    They said applicant must go to the counter for thumbprint before the passport will be issued. So, i have to scan my thumbprint when to collect it. is it true? n my passport expired on january 2012, i still have to renew or apply for new one?

    Reply
    • January 20, 2013 at 12:35 am
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      Don: yep you’ll have to collect it yourself and do bring your thumb. I’m not quite sure how the procedure is if your passport is long expired.

      Reply
  • January 21, 2013 at 5:24 pm
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    I have been given mixed messages re duration for applying for renewal of passport. I was told Pudu was the fastest. Having read through the comments, I am unsure exacty how long the process take. Does Pudu office still exist?

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    • January 22, 2013 at 12:17 am
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      Julie: I don’t think the Pudu office still exists…

      Reply
      • March 10, 2013 at 5:12 pm
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        Hi there, my sister just renewed her passport in Pudu the other day, it was ready for collection after one hour and she was off to catch her flight.
        Hope this helps. I’m going to renew mine in Pudu soon.

        Reply
  • February 14, 2013 at 10:36 pm
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    Hi. I tried to renew online today but the system asked to go to the jabatan imigresen.
    No longer can do online meh?

    Reply
    • February 16, 2013 at 10:39 pm
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      Starry: I’m not sure, I thought we should still be able to do it.

      Reply
      • February 17, 2013 at 9:31 pm
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        Hi KY, which office location did you choose?

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        • February 17, 2013 at 11:25 pm
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          yun: I chose damansara 😀

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          • February 18, 2013 at 12:08 am
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            Hi KY, i try to upload photo but after clicked “Crop” & “Finish”, nothing happens, the main browser still shows “no image available”….not sure how to continue with the application

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            • February 18, 2013 at 10:57 am
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              yun: maybe you might wanna try using a different browser or disable pop up blockers.

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  • April 2, 2013 at 7:58 pm
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    Hi may i know whether we can collect it later than 2 hours..like after a week or something?

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    • April 4, 2013 at 8:19 am
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      Anne: you sure can, fastest is 2 hours. 🙂

      Reply
  • April 15, 2013 at 12:37 am
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    Hi,
    May I know what colour code you use for your background? I am using GIMP but can’t seem to get the right shade. Thanks.

    Reply
    • April 15, 2013 at 8:35 am
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      ML: I’m not sure what code that is, you can use the color picker to get the same color though

      Reply
  • April 15, 2013 at 8:58 am
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    Haha me 1st time trying. So dont know how to do.

    Btw, someone said the background should be from light (bottom) to dark (top). Did yours have slightly different shades?

    Reply
    • April 15, 2013 at 9:08 am
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      ML: Yep, I think I did pull a bit of gradient there.

      Reply
  • April 16, 2013 at 7:19 am
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    The photo should be in what type of file? Jpeg?

    Reply
  • April 19, 2013 at 3:20 pm
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    Just to update that I got my passport within 2 hours. Best!!!

    Reply
    • April 20, 2013 at 2:29 pm
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      ML: that’s great to hear!

      Reply
    • May 4, 2013 at 12:14 am
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      Hi, may I know where you went to renew your passport since its ready in 2 hours. Appreciate your feedback.

      Thanking you in advance

      Ash

      Reply
      • May 6, 2013 at 10:13 am
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        Ashley: I did it at KL main branch, Damansara.

        Reply
  • May 28, 2013 at 5:53 pm
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    Announcement :

    As per Malaysian Passport Photographs Specification dated 29 April 2013, as per the requirement set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Malaysian passport applicants r required to produce White Background Photo.

    The requirement was implemented in stages by respective branches, the earliest was Putrajaya as of 8 Apr 2013. As of today 28 May 2013, all branches adhered to the new specification.

    Sample Photo
    http://www.imi.gov.my/images/Pengumuman/2013/Policarb2013/Malaysian%20passport%20specification%2008052013.pdf

    Implementation date of branches
    http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/pasport/malaysian-international-passport/40-pengumuman/775-malaysian-passport-photograph-specification-29-april-2013

    Not surprisingly,

    The new requirement is “TOO DIFFICULT” to be updated in the main page :
    http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/pasport/malaysian-international-passport

    And even the Online Passport Renewal page still asks for a Blue Background as of today:
    https://eservices.imi.gov.my/myimms/myPassport?action=welcome&lang=en&type=26&module=passport

    Rgds,
    Prof locoroco

    Reply
    • May 28, 2013 at 9:53 pm
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      locoroco: thank you for the info!

      Reply
  • May 29, 2013 at 10:41 am
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    For the past 2 days, I’ve been to few immigration office for passport renewal, namely kelana jaya, shah alam, putrajaya, pudu, and also the subang terminal branch. Due to a new system being implementing since months ago, stability is very much affected and resulted in frequent Offline. AS of these few week, one can no longer get the passport renewal done in One day. Forget about the 2 hours promise. Kelana jaya branch required 7 days for processing. Some other branches need 3 working days.

    Beware, the subang terminal branch published in Immigration official website ONLY for “Aktivity : Pintu Masuk Udara”, the Passport processing unit closed long time ago LOL.

    Also, the online application service is temporarily down for peninsular malaysia processing until further notice as of 7 May 2013.

    Before u proceed to renew ur passport, strongly suggest u all to visit the ‘Announcement’ link in the main page for latest update so to avoid hassles.

    Announcement on Main Official Page: http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/

    Reply
    • May 29, 2013 at 11:14 am
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      Johson: Now I wonder why they wanna screw up a perfectly great system.

      Reply
  • May 29, 2013 at 2:31 pm
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    There is another important point to note regarding the exact location of our main Putrajaya Immigration office for passport processing, if u happen to use your smartphone gps app such as waze to navigate, don’t be too excited (like what I did) when u searched the address and discovered the following match:
    “Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia Precinct 2,Putrajaya”. Nope. That’s not the place u wanna go.

    The search key to use is “Komplek Komuniti Precint 15”. This is the ‘special building’ dedicated for passport processing in putrajaya. Not the “Main Imigresen Putrajaya” building in Precint 2.

    And the distance of Precint 15 from Precint 2 main office is 6KM + if u r lucky enough to find a direct route lol. Else, u circle around and around, would end up like 10KM+ only reach the Precint 15 building.

    Anyway, the place, they called it Pejabat Pasport Putrajaya, Aras 1, Bangunan Chancery Place, JLN Diplomatik 2, Presint 15, putrajaya.

    Reply
    • May 30, 2013 at 9:17 am
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      Johson: thanks. good info!

      Reply
  • July 10, 2013 at 4:10 pm
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    Typical Malaysia. Spend millions/billions building something, then geniusly destroy it, usually through lack of maintenance.

    “The Immigration online application service is temporarily disrupted. Applicants are advice to go to the nearest Immigration office to make their applications or enquiries.”

    Maybe they just want to fark everyone over because of the elections.

    Reply
    • July 11, 2013 at 9:04 am
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      GG: hopefully they fixed it soon, I liked how efficient that system was..

      Reply
  • July 16, 2013 at 9:57 am
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    my passport expired on 7th January 2014. Can I go to Singopore on 25/7/13 without renew passport?

    Reply
    • July 16, 2013 at 10:30 am
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      Ms Tan: I think it’s best if you get it renewed, just to be on the safe side.

      Reply
  • August 14, 2013 at 5:04 pm
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    Unfortunately, the online renewal system is down now. Have to do it the old fashioned way…long queues and waiting…Bahhhhh

    Reply
    • August 14, 2013 at 11:16 pm
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      Marie: aiyohh, that is indeed very unfortunate.

      Reply
  • September 5, 2013 at 3:50 pm
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    If my both my thumbprints cant be used for a scan, can i use my other fingers? Please answer.

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    • September 5, 2013 at 4:39 pm
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      Daniel: I’m not sure if you can, gotta check with immigration department.

      Reply
  • September 5, 2013 at 7:20 pm
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    Oh ok thanks anyways. Just asking, has there been any cases where people with either bad thumbprints or chronic skin conditions for example old people who cant get their passports done?

    Reply
    • September 6, 2013 at 8:42 am
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      Daniel: I’m not aware of that, I’m sure there’re alternative ways to handle this for people with no hands etc.

      Reply
  • October 10, 2013 at 8:06 pm
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    Wow! what a wonderful blog you have. Renewing a passport, information, costs, and resources for renewing is nice and easy.

    Reply
    • October 15, 2013 at 2:56 pm
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      Carolie Brooks: cheers.

      Reply
  • February 15, 2014 at 10:12 am
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    I request pls. Make easieset work permit

    Reply
    • February 17, 2014 at 3:28 pm
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      moazam: i think you got the wrong person.

      Reply
  • February 24, 2014 at 11:40 am
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    Thanks for the awesome tips. But sad that this online service has been suspended at the moment 🙁

    Reply
    • February 24, 2014 at 2:03 pm
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      Bel: yes, it’s been inactive for a while now, wonder when they’ll have it back up.

      Reply

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