Renewing a Malaysian Passport: MyOnline Passport, UTC Counters, or the Immigration Office

Your passport expires in a month, the flight ticket is already booked, and you’re not sure whether you’ll need to take leave from work to queue at Immigration. For most Malaysians, the answer is: no need. But for some cases — lost, damaged, or a first-time application — that easy online route is in fact closed entirely.

Three routes, depending on your passport’s condition

The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) does not offer a single process for everyone. According to its official page, applications are accepted at all Immigration Offices within the country and at Malaysian diplomatic missions abroad — but how you apply depends on the status of your existing passport.

Passport condition	Route	Note
Still in hand, to be renewed	MyOnline Passport (online)	Fully remote up to the collection stage
Still in hand, but unable/unwilling to use online	UTC counter or Immigration Office	UTC is a receiving office — the application is sent to the state headquarters for processing
Lost or damaged	Immigration Office only	A police report is required; approval is subject to the discretion of the Director General of Immigration
First-time application / child	Immigration Office only	Not supported by MyOnline Passport

How MyOnline Passport actually works

JIM’s official guide for this portal (imigresen-online.imi.gov.my) sets out a flow that is rather different from the assumption of “fill in a form, receive the passport by post.”

1. Apply — log in to the portal and select passport renewal.
2. Upload a photo to strict specifications: white background, not a selfie/instant photo, dark clothing covering the shoulders and chest, a headscarf (if worn) in a dark colour with the face clearly visible, no glasses or head accessories, .jpg format 100kb–300kb.
3. Pay via internet banking (FPX), then print the receipt.
4. Wait for status — the decision is sent by email from noreplyto@imi.gov.my (check the spam folder too), or check under the “Application Status Enquiry” menu on the portal.
5. Attend once at the chosen collection office, bringing your original identity card, old passport, and payment receipt.

A “fingerprint invalid” status means you need to attend a branch in person to have your fingerprints retaken; a “photo unsatisfactory” status means re-uploading the photo through the link provided — without repeating the entire application.

The 90-day warning that’s easy to miss

This is the part that most often causes loss: according to JIM’s official guide, a passport not collected within a period of 90 days will be cancelled, and no payment already made can be reclaimed from the government. Set a reminder as soon as the status changes to “passport collectable” — don’t let it hang because you’re busy with work.

Ordinary renewal versus replacing a lost/damaged passport

For an ordinary renewal, JIM’s official page lists the basic requirements: MyKad or a temporary identification document (KPPK 09), the old passport for presentation, as well as the birth certificate and parents’ MyKad for applicants under 18 years old. Special categories — pilgrims performing Hajj, students abroad, and senior citizens aged 60 and above — have simplified document requirements.

Replacing a lost or damaged passport is an entirely different case: requiring a police report (loss, fire or natural disaster), the applicant’s MyKad, birth certificate and parents’ MyKad (under 18 years old), as well as an employer’s confirmation letter if working abroad. Approval is “fully subject to the decision of the Director General of Immigration,” with a decision usually notified within a period of five working days — this process cannot be done online.

Confirmed fees

Based on JIM’s official page, the current fee structure is:

Category	5-year validity	10-year validity
Adult (standard)	RM200	RM350
Senior citizen (60 years and above)	RM100	RM175
Children under 12 years old	RM100	—

For online applications through MyOnline Passport / the malaysia.gov.my portal, the confirmed fee is RM200, paid via FPX, with a stated processing period of 24 hours before the status changes to “collectable.” The fee for replacing a lost/damaged passport increases according to the number of times it has been replaced — confirm the exact amount at the Immigration counter, as it is not stated in detail on the official page reviewed.

The role of the UTC counter

The passport counter at an Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) makes for a convenient location, but it is not an issuing office. According to JIM’s official list, a UTC falls under a receiving office — the application is sent to the state Immigration headquarters for processing, unlike an issuing office (such as Jalan Duta or KLIA) which completes the application at the same location. The waiting period at a UTC may be somewhat longer compared to an issuing office.

Common mistakes

• Trying to apply online for a lost/damaged passport. MyOnline Passport is only for renewing a passport that is still in hand.
• Photo rejected repeatedly. A non-white background, glasses, or a brightly coloured headscarf are the most common reasons for rejection.
• Missing the decision email because it lands in the spam folder. Notifications are sent from noreplyto@imi.gov.my — add it to your safe senders list before applying.
• Forgetting to collect the passport within 90 days and losing the fee already paid when the application is automatically cancelled.
• Assuming every UTC counter processes instantly. A UTC sends the application to the state headquarters; it is not an issuing office.

What’s next

If your passport is lost or damaged, prepare a police report first before going to the nearest Immigration counter — the online route does not apply for this case. For children who do not yet have a birth certificate or identification document, start with Registering a Child’s Birth and MyKad before applying for their first passport. To understand the full scope of the Malaysian Immigration Department’s services — from passports to visas and passes — see the Malaysian Immigration Department page.