Malaysia Steps up Pressure on People Doing Visa Runs

June 17, 2015

A Swiss couple were detained at Penang International Airport and placed in a “Not to Land” room because they had apparently made several quick exits from and returns to the country. They spent two nights sleeping on the floor before the Director of Immigration ordered their release. This was ostensibly due to their plight being highlighted in the New Straits Times; however, they were only given a one-week visa and not the usual three months that Europeans enjoy.

There are quite a number of expats who choose to live and even work in Malaysia and travel out of the country every three months to get another 90-day visa. However, it seems that the immigration department may be starting to clamp down on this practice if the passport shows more than three exit and returns within a short period of time.