Exit Requirements Change for Short-Term Workers, Students

Effective Oct. 1, clients must comply with two new exit requirements in order to avoid immigration penalties. The first new requirement is that holders of professional visit passes (PVPs) and student passes must obtain exit memos before departing Malaysia. The exit memo must be presented along with the passport during departure from the airport.

Second, pass holders will now be required to cancel their passes if the holder will be departing before the pass expires. Previously, if an expatriate employee departed the country before his or her PVP or student pass was due to expire, the permit could be allowed to expire automatically. According to the new requirement, if the holder departs on the same day the pass expires, no cancellation is necessary. However, he or she will still need to obtain an exit memo before departure.

It is the employer’s responsibility to see that both new requirements are fulfilled. A request letter from the employer must be provided in order to obtain both pass cancellation and exit memos. The government has not yet provided details about how noncompliant employers and universities will be penalized.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Malaysia. For additional information, please contact GlobalVisaGroup@bal.com.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.