FOREIGNERS required to leave the country by April 21 but are unable to do so can apply for a special pass to extend their stay in Malaysia, director-general of immigration Khairul Dzaimee Daud said today.

However, he added the caveat that the grace period will have to be attested by respective embassies.

In addition, Khairul said people applying for the pass will have to furnish documents to prove their address and financial means to live in Malaysia.

He was responding to media reports on foreigners whose social visit passes had expired and being ordered to leave the country before April 21 or face penalties.

“The Immigration Department understands that there were foreigners who have found it difficult to return to their countries due to lack of flights and Covid-19 problems in their own country,” he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, the department also found a few cases of misuse of social visit passes, including entertainment hub workers, masseuses, sex workers and scammers.

He said the department had raided 291 entertainment centres and massage parlours, from the state of the year, adding that 1,281 foreigners and 83 employers were arrested.

“The Immigration Department has decided that the said foreigners will have to leave the country by April 21,” he added.

He said failure to do so will lead to enforcement action.

According to reports, emails conveying the warning were sent out those stranded in the country due to the movement control order.

Those who remain in the country on or after the deadline may be subject to immigration detention and fines.

Diplomatic missions that have emailed their citizens include the US embassy, British High Commission, the Romanian Embassy and the Italian embassy. – April 12, 2021.