Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Renewing Malaysian Passport in the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore (updated Apr 2014)

So after a few failed attempt of renewing my passport in Malaysia (system down, change process so that cannot collect in one day), I decided to do it in the High Commission in Singapore. As this is my first time, and they change the process quite regularly, I think it's worth a blog. This might help busy Malaysian PRs in SG renewing their passports in the future, especially if in a rush due to work commitments.

The process was smooth enough. If you want to read up on it, it's available here on the official website. http://www.kln.gov.my/web/sgp_singapore/passport_renewal. In a nutshell, this is how it went for me:
Day 1 - Get queue number, submit documents and old passport along with S$124 when queue number called. Took me from 7:40am ~ 8:25am
Day 2 - Collect new passport at 2:30 - 4pm

Day 1

So I arrived at the embassy at 7:40 with all these documents ready:
  • Completely (more on this later) filled IM.42 form (Use Singapore address for part A.7)
  • 2 White-background passport-sized photographs (3.5x5cm)
  • Malaysian IC with photocopy
  • Singapore PR with photocopy
  • Original old passport
  • S$124 exact change
UPDATE:
- Photographs must be taken without teeth visible, else they will ask you to retake.
- Instant photobooth and photocopy machine available if you need them
(thanks mUsiCMeL)

These are the requirements for the most common application, 18 and above, with Singapore long term pass. As these requirements change regularly, I recommend checking the above link to confirm that they are still the same.

There was already a small crowd outside the side gate to the entrance when I arrived, but what they (the people there) didn't tell me is that I needed to change a pass from the guard house at the main gate (maybe because I didn't ask). So off to the guard house I went. I got pass #9. Pretty good for a start, I thought.

The counter doesn't open till 8am. So after the Indian lady guard checked our forms and documents, she seated us in a very orderly fashion towards the left of the hall. Later on, she will ensure that you move to the queue number collection counter in just that order. She's quite bossy by nature, so play along and she'll be an easy one.

This is when I realized that the number on the pass from the guard house doesn't really matter. It is at this step where your position in the queue is determined. So it does pay to come prepared, completely prepared. I was one of the first to verify my complete documents (and sucked up to the guard a little by proudly showing my form to her like a teacher's pet would, hey, don't judge me, I had to rush off to work). When the queue collection counter opened, I walked off with queue #1001. The queue starts from #1000. I'll post the example forms on the notice board here so you can come prepared too (though there's no saying when this will change):

Needless to say, I didn't have to wait much. All I had to wait for was for the actual document handling counter to open. After handing over everything, the lady behind the counter (who happen to be the same one who handed me my queue number back at the other counter) took my left and right thumbprint a couple of times, digitally and once with the traditional stamp pad thingy. And I got me a ticket number to collect me brand new passport tomorrow afternoon! I didn't even have to take time off, and was actually early for work, Surprise!

Day 2

Collection was a very different story. I arrived at 2:50 and went straight to the guard house to exchange for a pass. This time, the pass number is actually the order with which you collect your passport. So my advice for the collection is to arrive as early as you can, and make a beeline straight for the guard house.

Collection itself is a pretty fast process, the line moves at a healthy pace, it was around #50 or so when I arrived, and in 15 minutes the guard was already calling for #81 - #85.

Remember one important thing my Malaysian boss reminded me to do, check all the information on the first page of the passport before signing the acceptance form. He had a bad experience once when they refused to change the info on his passport allegedly because he has already signed. He had to apply for amendment, which is a whole different process again.

So there, my experience of renewing passport at the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore. Hope this helps any Malaysians in Singapore planning to renew their passport but not planning to have a long trip back to Malaysia.

One more thing...

Have this change lately? Is your experience different from this? Feel free to share in the comments section to help other fellow Malaysians in their future passport renewals!

UPDATE 26-Feb-2014: Passport photo is now white background. Included the change above. --Thanks, Yvonne! 

42 comments:

mUsiCMeL said...

Thanks for your detailed blog post. Was really helpful.
Thought I highlight for your reader's benefit, that photos should be taken without teeth visible. Mine was and had to retake. They've a instant photo booth and photocopy machine. Pretty well facilitated these days.
Thankfully to me the queue number counter staff was friendly (not the payment counter tho)
Photocopy machine man was friendly too!
And it took me less than 45mins (including filling up form and retake photo) when I arrived at 11am (Monday morning) :)
Cheers! -Melodie

mUsiCMeL said...

Thanks for your detailed blog post. Was really helpful.
Thought I highlight for your reader's benefit, that photos should be taken without teeth visible. Mine was and had to retake. They've an instant photo booth and photocopy machine. Pretty well facilitated these days.
Thankfully to me the queue number counter staff was friendly (not the payment counter tho)
Photocopy machine man was friendly too!
And it took me less than 45mins (including filing up form and retake photo) when I arrived at 11am (Monday morning) :)
Cheers! -Melodie

Unknown said...

Hi there you mention the collection of passport was next working day? I notice the website said 3 working days just wanna clarify on that part. Appreciate it thanks :))

mUsiCMeL said...

Hi Kristin, I'm instructed to collect my renewed passport tomorrow after 2pm (:

Kinie said...

Hi, I would like ask,coz im last minute decided to go renew passport tomorrow and didn't prepare and form,but can i obtain the application form from the counter and fill up on the spot? And just bring over my photo, Malaysia IC, and relevant documents is ok?

Kinie said...

Hi, I would like ask,coz im last minute decided to go renew passport tomorrow and didn't prepare and form,but can i obtain the application form from the counter and fill up on the spot? And just bring over my photo, Malaysia IC, and relevant documents is ok?

Unknown said...

Thanks, @musicmel. I'll update.

Kinie, Last time I went, they had the form you can just take. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Unknown said...

Photos now have to be white background - and your clothes will need to be dark coloured. I was wearing a white shirt in my photo and was asked to re-take. Otherwise smooth and easy process, and can collect passport following day

ann said...

Hi, not sure if this is something new that just started, but I went today for the submission of documents and was told that the photocopy of both the ICs (M'sia & S'pore) must be on 1 page. That is, total 4 images (1 each for the front and back of 2 IC). When the Indian lady officer cleared my documents for queuing to get the queue number, everything was "cleared" but at the queue counter, I was told that i needed to make copy of the 2 ICs all on 1 page.

Unknown said...

Hi! Is photo blue background or white? Phone system told that is blue background, so confuse! Can take from outside? Pls advice. Thanks!

Kelvin said...

Just had my pp done 3 days ago.

No change to process as mentioned in the above. Things to note:

Photograph background has to be white and should be taken WITHOUT spectacles (if you are wearing them)

Day 1 (Submission) - Reached HC at 10 am. It was a quiet day. You need to exchange your ID (driving licence, Passion Card, etc) for a pass at guard house before you are allowed to enter HC. The guard house is about 30m outside the HC. The number on your pass is irrelevant for this submission. You would be given the form to fill in at guard house. Filled up form and queued up to submit docs. I was 5th in the queue. Docs checked at counter after which and a queue no. will be given for payment. Waited about 15 mins for queue no. to be displayed to pay S$124. Time taken to complete - 45 mins.

Day 2 (Collection) - Reached at 2.30 pm. Exchanged id for pass (same as day before). Note: The number in the pass will be your Q number to collect document. You should try to go as early as possible. Take a seat and an officer will call up for the queue numbers in multiple of tens so limit the queue length. E.g. 1-10, 2-20, and so on. If you are a senior citizen you can ask to "jump queue". Like previous day, also happened to be a quiet day. Time taken to collect - 30 mins.

For those driving, the nearest valid car park is at Valley Point shopping mall at main road. Its 8-10 minute walk away.

One piece of advise - the officer outside the counters coordinating the queues is very helpful. There's one part of the form where it may not be very clear if you need to fill in your old pp number and also HP number. The officer was kind enough to come up to me to point where to fill up.

Instant photo - $7 for 4 pieces
Photocopy - S$20 cents per copy
(Be prepared to make photocopies there are they are quite particular about the layout of the copy for submission). For e.g. if double sided (NRIC) is required, it has to be one on top of the other on the same page.

Hope this helps to make the process hassle free!

Unknown said...

Kelvin,

Could you please confirm if white shirt on white background photo is acceptable? Otherwise need to take another one..

veronica said...

Thanks for the info. About the photocopy of IC (Msia & Sg), do I make both front & back of IC on 1 page (2 images - 2 pcs of paper)? Or double-sided (front & back - 1 image per page - 4 pcs of paper)?

OR 2 front & back of Msia Sg IC on 1 page (4 images - 1 pc of paper) ?

It sounds abit stupid, but I dont want to waste $ on photocopy. thanks

冬冬 said...

Hi, may i know where can i download the form online? i tried my very best to look for it online, but just couldnt' find. Appreciate your help!

Thanks =D

pharmom said...

Hi, just submitted today, arrived at 10.45 am, all done at 10.55am. Collected queue number at the counter and there was just one person in front of me. There was no need to fill form IM42 and no physical photo required. I just had to fill the form for registration of Malaysians in Singapore and digital photo was taken at the counter (no charge). I wore dark colour shirt with sleeves to comply with photo specs. I also had the 2 I/C photocopied on 1 piece A4 paper. Prepare exact $124 for the fees. Collection next day after 2.30pm. Hope this helps.
pharmacist-mum.blogspot.sg

pharmom said...

Collection was a breeze too. Arrived at 3.05pm all done in 5 minutes. After exchanging the pass, just join in the queue for passport collection. The queue was short and there were three counters open.
pharmacist-mum.blogspot.sg

veronica said...

No photo is required so dont waste $ on that. Digital photo will be taken on the spot. The immigration form is not needed too. Make sure you bring exact $124, passport and photocopy of Msia & SG ICs.

Officer quite bossy..

Unknown said...

No photo required. Just IC of both SG and MY in ONE page (both front and back) , passport and $124

Black and white or color doesn't matter.

Guardroom will you you a simple form to fill up. Both Malaysia and English guide beside. You will know how to fill.

Form require SG address , height , marital status , contact number.

You will be sit in order once your document is checked by the person near the door. Sit in order then get queue number from counter. Once gotten queue number , you wait to be call to take photo, scan thumbprint and pay $124

starest said...

Hi! Just went down today to renew my passport too.

Arrived at 10.10am. Went to guardhouse to exchange pass. Was given a form to fill in details for SG address, height, marital status, contact number (as stated by Fox Lo).

Went into the immigration office, directed to rows 10 and 11 where they will request for the following:
1) The form that was just given to me, filled up.
2) Photocopy of Malaysian and Singapore IC (front and back) all on only one side of the paper. Whether you arrange the Malaysian one above the Singapore one, or side bye side, whatever, the layout doesn't matter. As long as the four images are all on one side of the paper.
3)The original Malaysian and Singapore IC.
4)The passport.
5)They will also verbally check that you have exact SGD124.

(No more need to fill in the long lengthy form like last time, and no need to submit passport photo. Just make sure wear dark clothing there for the digital photo taking later.)

After I passed all the above documents to the officer, he gave me a number. And I only had to wait for 20mins before it was my turn again.

This time round the lady took my digital thumbprint, and digital passport photo at the counter. She got me to sign and thumbprint another form. And then I paid SGD124. After that she returned me my ICs, gave me the same queue number and asked me to return there with it tomorrow after 2.30pm to collect the new passport.

All done in 5mins. I left the building at 10.45am. Went back to the guardhouse to exchange my pass.

N.B. When walking into the office, I saw a note on the door that informed visitors that the office will be closed on 16 September due to Malaysia Day. I am glad that I didn't turn up there on the 16th, because how would anyone have known that they would be closed that day. Maybe they posted it on their website. Pity those who didn't check before heading down on that day.
Moral of story: Check that office is open before going down.

FlyingSnow said...

I can confirm the new procedure is now in place where you only need to fill in a simple form with Singapore address, height, marital status and contact. Also, for me, I get to jump the queue both when renewing as well as collection. They give preference to senior citizens. That is rather nice of them.

Unknown said...

Thanks fellow Malaysians; this is really helpful. As I have not renewed my passport at the HC for more than 20yrs and will have to get it done this time by Dec '14.

Unknown said...

I just checked the link provided above; photos might be required when there is technical fault.

Unknown said...

Was at HC renewing passport today 29 Sep
Followed instructions above (foxlo & starest) and got it done in by 8:35am with 3 counters opened
I was no. 1011 or 11 on the queue.

Every counter (counted maybe 4) has a photo machine so unlikely they will all be not working, so no need to take or bring photos from elsewhere.

note upcoming hari raya haji or qurban hols Office closed on 6 oct next mon

JO said...

Hi, May I know the new date of expiry for your new passport follows the old passport's expiry date + 5 yrs, or it is dated from the date your application was completed + 5 yrs (ie. 6 mths was "eaten" up), Pls advise urgently. Thanks!

Unknown said...

This is indeed very helpful; I arrived at 9am with q no. 1099. Got everything done in 1hr 30min(for about 60in the q). Collection; arrived at 215pm(q no: 045), got my new passport at 245pm.On the first day if you have got everything right(follow the clues above); go straight to counter 11 for a q no.

yen yik said...

I also done mine today and latest update is no need to print the form from website anymore, once reach there, exchange your ID at guard house and the guard will give u an entrance pass with a copy of small form, just fill up your current resident address in Sg, your Height, Sg contact number & Married status.
(I reach by 7:45am, and got my que number 1020 which need to wait for 20 ppl, approx 1.5 hours to reach me)

Now no need to take photo anymore, which on the counter, the officer will take for you free once you submitted your documents.

Document required:-
1. A piece of form that obtained @ Guardhouse (please fill up after take)

2. Original SG Working Pass & Msia IC

3. Copy of SG Working Pass & Msia IC

4. Current Passport

5. Payment of S$124 (Exact Amount)

Time of submit your renewal: 8am onward (Will suggest you reach before 7:45am)

number will only give in @ counter 11(Enquiry counter) with your completed ducuments/attachment

Collection will be after 2-3 working days (included the submission day)

Daniel Goh said...

Does it matter if the Malaysian NRIC is the older one?

Unknown said...

I just submitted the documents this morning. Entered the embassy before 8am, submission done by 9 plus almost 10. Quite fast process...

Just to make sure you bring photocoy of both msian ic and singapore ic on the same page under one copy (and of course the original of both ics), fill simple form recieved from guard house and prepare exact sgd 124.

Passport can be collected the next day.

Unknown said...

I just submitted the documents this morning. Entered the embassy before 8am, submission done by 9 plus almost 10. Quite fast process...

Just to make sure you bring photocoy of both msian ic and singapore ic on the same page under one copy (and of course the original of both ics), fill simple form recieved from guard house and prepare exact sgd 124.

Passport can be collected the next day.

kaseito said...

Be cautious the pass gave you for the entrance doesn't guarantee you the order of processing. I queue up early on the morning and got myself 001, however when they open the gate, all the uncivilized Malaysian just rush in even though they come very late.
End up I got queue number 010, and those uncivilized people get in front of me.
It's a game with no rules and civilization.

JC said...

For those wanting to do a change of name on passport, remember to get change name letter from JPN in Malaysia first. That involves first changing the name on MyKad. Mine took about a month to process.

After that, bring JPN letter with new MyKad containing new name, Birth certificate, Borang W, Church/temple letter... etc, to high commission to renew passport. All documents need to Photostat. Next day can collect new passport

LEE X ANN said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LEE X ANN said...

Do anyone know if i go there on friday to renew,then is it can collect it on monday 2.30pm?

Unknown said...

Hi, if I renew my passport on Wednesday, and assuming they finish the passport by Monday, what is the maximum number of days they can keep the completed passport till I come to collect it?

No name said...

Malaysian passport renewal for children living in Singapore.

I could not find any decent info on the net so I thought I would share my experience from today 26 Feb 15. My child was born in Singapore and I had to renew his passport for the first time at the Malaysian High Comm.

The process is essentially the same as the above comments but these are the required documents for children without a Malaysian IC since they are under 12 years:
1) Child's old passport
2) Borang W - original and copy
3) Singapore Birth cert - Original and Copy
4) Accompanying parent's Malaysian IC - original and copy
5) Accompanying parent's Singapore IC - original and copy

Child has to be present at submission and at pickup.

Fee paid was SGD 42. I believe the price is now lower.

Good luck!

Reiya said...

Done mine yesterday.

Document required:-
1. A size B5 form that obtained at Guardhouse. Fill up your current resident address in Sg, your Height, Sg contact number & Marital status.

2. Original SG Working Pass/ PR IC & Msia IC

3. Copy of front & back SG Working Pass/ PR IC & Msia IC. (IMPORTANT: 4 images on 1 page)

4. Current Passport

5. Payment of S$84 (Exact Amount)

Collection will be after 2-3 working days (included the submission day). Mine is 2 days.

p/s: I was being asked to remove my colored contact lenses before the officer taking my photo. No worries if you do not have the casing and solution as the uncles at the photocopier there are kind enough to lend you FREE casing and solution. Just remember to return them after used. :)

Samuel Lo said...

for those who drive, park at the river valley point shopping centre. Hard to get slot along the high comm.

Lonely Planet @ Seoul said...

SGD84 for 45 pages Adult passport. CASH transaction only and no change.Credit card facility not working. No NETS either.

nemo said...

i reached on wed 10am to apply with my mum. filled up the form and got the queue number. only 2 infront of me. my mum got queue number for senior citizen, she was called before i sat down to wait for my turn. senior citizen paid S$42, i paid $84. we left the high comm 20 min after i got my queue number, less than 30 min in total.

we reached at about 2.30pm to collect our passports the next day. no queue at all. took our passports and left immediately.

ladies better wear collar blouse. i wore round collar blouse and was asked to put on their dark blue shawl around my neck. the passport photo can only see the shawl. men need to wear coat which they provide too.

Lyn said...

Can I collect at morning time at other day , because afternoon cannot make it

Bob said...

It is so efficient to renew passport in HCOM from the feedback commented here. The staffs there are very efficient and professional. I wish that all the Government departments in Malaysia have such professionalism and efficiency. Credits and praise must be given to the staffs and The High Commissioner of HCOM in S'pore. Well done, "Malaysia Boleh"

good music said...

It is SGD66 now..and super peak season! Came at 10am and waited till 12noon just to submit my document.. So if you r not in a rush come at a later date..