The Immigration Department of Malaysia has suspended the issuance of international passports with validity periods exceeding 10 years following reports of check-in complications with overseas airlines, according to Thestar. Affected passport holders will receive free replacements with a maximum validity of 10 years.
Malaysia Halts Passports Over 10 Years Due to Airline Issues
Immigration Department Halts 10-Year Passports Amid Airline Confusion
The decision, announced by Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, aims to resolve confusion among airlines over the additional six-month passport validity requirement, which some carriers interpret inconsistently. The department will issue notification letters to airlines to assist affected Malaysian travelers overseas. Existing passports valid for more than 10 years will be replaced free of charge, with the new passports carrying a maximum validity of 10 years, Thestar reported.
Zakaria emphasized that the suspension remains in effect until the matter is resolved. He stated that affected passport holders will be given priority in the replacement process, ensuring smoother international travel,
as noted in Malay Mail.
ICAO Confirms No International Restrictions on Longer Validity
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) confirmed there are no international restrictions on passports valid for more than 10 years, Thestar reported. However, Zakaria acknowledged that some airlines encountered issues with passports exceeding 10 years, leading to check-in problems for travelers. The department clarified that longer validity periods do not violate international laws or hinder border control operations, NST Online noted.
Zakaria stated that Malaysia’s 10-year validity cap aligns with notifications shared with international airlines, though the ICAO’s findings indicate no legal barriers to longer validity. The department is working to standardize requirements to prevent future disputes, according to Free Malaysia Today.
Passport Holders to Receive Free Replacements with 10-Year Validity
Over 60,000 upgraded passports have been issued since July 1, 2026, as part of the department’s efforts to streamline the process, Thestar reported. Existing holders of passports valid for more than 10 years will be prioritized for replacements, with the new documents carrying a 10-year validity period. The department has also instructed airlines to verify passport validity directly at service counters to avoid future complications, NST Online noted.
Zakaria advised travelers with 10-year passports to purchase tickets at airline counters for on-site verification, as the department does not issue supporting documents to confirm passport validity. This measure, he said, would allow airlines to verify the validity of the passports on the spot,
Free Malaysia Today reported.
Airline Issues Prompt Calls for Direct Booking Verification
Several travelers reported difficulties due to airline systems rejecting passports with validity periods exceeding 10 years. A social media user, Nurhamizah Zaid, claimed her clients faced boarding issues in Zimbabwe, while another traveler, Miza, reported problems in Dubai, Johannesburg, and Windhoek, Sarawak Tribune noted. Zakaria acknowledged these cases but reiterated that the ICAO’s guidelines do not restrict longer validity periods.
The department has referred the matter to ICAO, which confirmed no prohibitions on extended passport validity. However, Zakaria emphasized that the 10-year cap is a temporary measure to address airline-specific interpretations of validity requirements, Sarawak Tribune reported.
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