KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration department may allow its counters to operate beyond the regular office hours for the next three months, its director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said.
Khairul said the initiative, which began today, may be extended due to the high demand for international passport applications and renewals following the opening of the country’s borders on April 1.
“We expect congestion at the immigration offices and may extend the counter operation period for up to three months,” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department in the home ministry complex here tonight.
Premises with extended operating hours are Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka while those in Penang, Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis were extended until 6pm.
Meanwhile, Khairul said the department had adequate passport supply to face the increase in international passport applications and renewals.
“We have a supply of 1.2 million passports and this is estimated to be sufficient until June,” he said.
He also advised the public to make applications online to speed up the passport application process and reduce congestion at counters.