The Immigration Department will begin issuing a redesigned Malaysian passport from 1 June 2026, with the new booklet carrying 94 security features, nearly double the 49 in the current version. The rollout starts at four offices before expanding nationwide.
Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban announced the change at a press conference following the 2025 Immigration Department Excellent Service Awards ceremony in Putrajaya on 19 May 2026, officiated by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
A Passport That Is Harder To Forge
The new booklet introduces enhanced holograms, ultraviolet (UV) printing, hidden visual elements, and specialised forensic features. The thread used to bind the booklet carries its own security properties, and each page is individually designed rather than following a uniform layout.
Four Offices Start First, Nationwide By July
The June 1 rollout begins at four locations, starting with the Immigration headquarters in Putrajaya, the Kuala Lumpur Passport Office in Jalan Duta, UTC Wangsa Maju, and the Shah Alam Immigration Office. Full nationwide issuance is expected by July 2026.
Online passport applications will be available for the new version, though access depends on the capacity of each office at the time of application.
Your Existing Passport Stays Valid Until It Expires
If your current passport has more than six months’ validity remaining, there is no need to renew it now. Zakaria specifically advised against rushing to replace a valid passport just because a new design has launched.
Separately, many countries require your passport to remain valid for at least six months past your travel dates. If you have overseas travel coming up, your expiry date is worth confirming regardless of this rollout.
AI-Modified Photos Will Be Rejected
The Immigration Department reminded passport applicants not to submit photographs that have been generated or altered using AI tools.
Zakaria said the department has already encountered cases where applicants used AI to brighten or enhance their photos. Immigration officers are trained to detect such alterations, and applications with AI-modified images are unlikely to be processed. Passport photos must be clear and recent, taken against a white background, with no digital enhancements.
Document Fraud And The Case For Higher Security
If you are applying from June onwards, the version you receive depends briefly on where you apply. The four launch offices will issue the new design from day one. Offices outside the initial rollout will continue with the current version until the nationwide expansion in July.
A harder-to-forge passport reduces the risk of document fraud, which can result in identity theft, complications for the genuine holder, and difficulties at border crossings. More secure booklets also perform better in electronic verification systems at airports and visa processing centres.
The Malaysian passport currently ranks third globally, a standing that reflects the country’s wide visa-free access. A document used across that many destinations and border systems carries a higher fraud risk simply by virtue of its value, and additional security layers reduce the exposure for genuine holders.
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