No word yet on whether or not the privilege will apply at KLIA2, nor on any registration or activation procedures which might be required.
Foreigners who hold certain long-term visit passes, including working expats and MM2Hers, will no longer have to queue up in long lines as the automated entry system at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) will now be extended to them as well beginning from next month, said Immigration Department Director General Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud.
Currently, the “autogate” system can only be used by Malaysian citizens.
Khairul Dzaimee said the system, which among others is aimed at improving the management and efficiency of foreigners entering Malaysia, can be used by some foreigners depending on the type of passport held.
The type of passport matters, too: “Only passports with chips and those that comply with the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) conditions can be used at these ‘autogates’,” he told reporters after an engagement session between the Immigration Department and travel agencies at KLIA on Monday, August 8.
He said foreigners holding long-term visit passes include those who study in Malaysia, working expatriates, individuals married to locals, and participants in the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme.
Given the numerous complaints by long-term pass holders regarding long queues at Immigration counters, this will undoubtedly be received as welcome news.
Sources: The Edge, The Star, Malaysian Immigration
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