No need to bring photograph when applying for passports

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KUCHING: Passport applicants need no longer bring along their photographs to be attached with the application forms.

The state Immigration Department is currently implementing a Facial Live Capture system at its offices statewide as part of an extensive revamp of the My Immigration System.

With the new system applicants will have their pictures taken at the passport application counters instead.

This applies to applications of new passports, replacement passports and continuation of replacement passports.

The department’s web portal (www.imi.gov.my) reported that its Sibu Immigration passport application office would be closed today to carry out the Facial Live Capture system while its Kapit and Sarikei offices would close its passport application counters early (at 1pm) for a similar exercise.

The system will also be set up at its offices in Miri, Marudi and Sundar next Wednesday (April 16). The Miri office will close for the day while counters in Marudi and Sundar (Lawas) will close early (at 1pm).

The Immigration office at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar here has implemented the system since Sunday (April 6).

Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, when officiating at the launch of the system during Immigration Day in Putrajaya last December, said no charges would be imposed for taking the photograph and no additional payment for the service.

This was the directive from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to the Immigration Department, he added.

The department issued 2.3 million passports in the country last year and the number is expected to increase to 2.6 million this year.

On another note, the Immigration website said its online application service has been temporarily disrupted. Applicants are advised to go to the nearest Immigration office to make their applications or enquiries.