The deadline is based on a Malaysian government grace period for foreigners whose social visit passes expired in 2020 because they were stranded by movement control restrictions.
The movement control order ended on March 31, making April 21 the final date of a 14-working day grace period. Although the MCO was extended until April 14, the government has not announced if the grace period was renewed, compelling some foreign missions to warn their nationals that they might have less than two weeks to make preparations to leave, or stay and face the consequences.
On April 7, US citizens in Malaysia began receiving emails from a traveller registration programme run by the US State Department about the impending end of the grace period.
“The Malaysian authorities have not indicated that the grace period has been extended,” the email said. “US citizens in Malaysia holding expired social visit passes should prepare to depart Malaysia prior to April 21.”
The email said those who stayed on or tried to leave after April 21 may be subject to strict penalties, including immigration detention and fines.
At least three other diplomatic missions have similarly contacted their citizens, FMT has learned.
A Romanian living here received an email with similar wording from his embassy on Thursday evening, and later that night, the British High Commission sent out a similar message in response to queries via social media. On Friday afternoon, the Italian Embassy wrote to its nationals living in Malaysia.
An officer of the US embassy said she was unaware of the State Department emails, while the British and Italian missions could not be contacted for confirmation.
Foreign nationals who have received the emails are now unsure what to do next – whether to prepare to leave or wait, in the hopes that the Malaysian government will issue clearer directions on their status.
Malaysian social visit passes are valid for a single entry and for a period of three months from the date of issue. Most pass holders who wish to remain longer leave the country for a few days and then return, thus marking the start of a new three-month period.
International lockdowns brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic have made such renewals virtually impossible, while for many others, going home for good in the present climate comes at a great cost.
A foreigner who requested anonymity said he had been unable to renew his pass since Malaysia closed its borders.
“And now my friends are getting these emails, telling them they have to leave in less than two weeks? It’s not as easy as it sounds. Some of us have put down roots here. I’ve rented a house and I have my rescue cats. How do I find homes for them?” he said.
He said foreigners like him would not mind paying for a tourist visa with a longer validity.
“The government should offer a one-year tourist visa for a fee to those who are already here, the ones with a track record of regular renewals of our social visit passes. We would be happy to pay a bit more to stay a while longer, instead of getting worried every time an MCO ends.
“It would be nice if the Malaysian government could clarify what would happen to us,” he said.
Attempts by FMT to contact Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud have been unsuccessful.