Some foreign nationals, however, are still hoping that the immigration department will allow them to extend their stay here.

The lines at the immigration’s headquarters in Putrajaya were relatively short today but some individuals shared with FMT how they were caught by surprise when informed about the deadline.

A Dutchman who wanted to be known only as Robert said he was puzzled by the decision since the MCO was still in effect, adding that it made it sound like the immigration was saying the MCO was over.

“Try asking any Malaysian if the MCO is still in effect and see what they say,” he chuckled.

Although Dutch airline KLM still has regular flights, the 74-year-old said he had not been back in his home country for the past 40 years and had actually been going back and forth between Australia and Malaysia with his wife.

He said he had no relatives and no place to live in the Netherlands, adding that the immigration should not force them to return as that would be unkind.

He said this was his first appeal to the department since the announcement of the deadline, as he had only managed to get an appointment today. The department’s appointment system, he said, was “cumbersome”.

“People have engaged in various activities that require winding down, and we can’t just drop everything and say, ‘I’m out of here’. We hope that a humanitarian sense prevails when we apply,” he said, with a letter from the embassy in hand.

Saul, a 44-year-old Lithuanian company manager, said the April 21 deadline was inconvenient and stressful for him and his wife, particularly with flights home constantly getting cancelled.

They have managed to book a flight in August and hoped the immigration would allow them to extend their stay in Malaysia until then.

Supported by a letter from the Lithuanian embassy in Japan, which oversees matters in Malaysia, he added that the plan will be to return here eventually as an expatriate.

Meanwhile, a British national who wanted to remain anonymous said he too had struggled to get an appointment for his appeal, saying the online booking system blanked out three times before he decided to try setting a date at the department itself yesterday.

After seeing his letter from the British High Commission, he said, officers sent him an email asking him to return the next day. However, different officers were manning the counter today and told him he still needed a formal appointment.

“They said there were no appointments available until May 4 or 5 and told me to come back then. They also said I’ll be okay since I had the documents from the high commission,” he said as he left the building.

Meanwhile, a few foreigners who have been able to show supporting documents and proof of a flight out before May 19 have been granted a 30-day extension by the immigration department.

One of them, a UK national who only wanted to be known as Simon, said he was grateful for the extension.

“I am thankful but what happens after that? What happens after my 30 days are up?

“It may still be dangerous to fly in May and we may still not be able to leave. Where do we go then?” he asked.

A Malaysian engaged to a foreign national said stranded tourists like her partner had no issues with paying for a visa.

“Those who are already here are willing to pay for a year’s stay. Asking them to leave is absurd – most countries are still in lockdown and getting flights out is such a challenge.

“Why can’t our government be more understanding,” she said.

Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said those finding it difficult to return to their home countries because of travel restrictions could apply for a pass to extend their stay.

Previously, Putrajaya had given a grace period for foreigners whose social visit passes expired in 2020 and they were told they had to leave 14 days after the MCO ends.

At KLIA, most Myanmar nationals returning were part of the immigration department’s recalibration programme, while some Indonesians on social visit passes were flying out in order to avoid punishment.

A 30-something Indonesian said he had tried to appeal for an extension to his stay here but was rejected. He has accepted it, although with mixed feelings.

“Whether we like it or not, we have to follow the law. It’s not our home country too. I feel a little sad but I’m happy too since I’ll get to meet my family,” said the father of two from Bandung.

FMT has contacted the immigration department for more details on how many foreigners with expired social passes have left the country.