State Immigration director Baharuddin Tahir has announced that undocumented immigrants can participate in the Migrant Repatriation Programme at the Setia Tropika Home Ministry Complex starting today.
Although the programme officially began on March 1, the department will only start attending to cases today as Friday and Saturday are observed as the weekend in the state.
“From today onwards, foreigners can go to the department’s enforcement division in Setia Tropika to pay the fines,” Baharuddin stated, adding that this is currently the only immigration office in Johor handling the programme.
He encouraged illegal immigrants to seize the opportunity to return to their home country, emphasizing that no action will be taken against them for participating in the programme.
It was also highlighted that those interested in joining the programme do not need to engage any agents for assistance.
In January, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had announced the commencement of the programme, allowing undocumented foreigners to return to their home countries without facing prosecution, with the start date set for March 1.
Immigration director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh further explained on Wednesday that individuals without a valid travel pass or who have overstayed will only be fined RM500 if they wish to go back home.
Under the programme, those who have violated their travel passes or permits will be charged RM300, with the initiative scheduled to continue until December 31.
Additionally, in order to participate, foreigners must have a passport or valid travel document issued by their country of origin, as well as a one-way ticket to their homeland with a departure within 14 days from their application.
