Malaysia Launches New 10-Year Passport with 94 Security Features from July 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 — Malaysia has officially introduced a new version of the Malaysian International Passport, giving citizens aged 18 and above the option to apply for either a five-year or 10-year passport starting July 1, 2026.

The new passport structure was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Parliament lobby, marking a major step in modernising Malaysia’s travel document system.

The Home Ministry said the initiative is aimed at strengthening the security of Malaysian travel documents while offering greater convenience and better value for the public.

One of the biggest changes is the introduction of the 10-year passport option. Previously, most Malaysian passport holders had to renew their passports every five years. With the new structure, eligible applicants can now choose a longer validity period depending on their personal travel needs.

The 10-year passport is expected to reduce the frequency of renewals, save time and make international travel more convenient for frequent travellers, business travellers and Malaysians who often travel abroad for work, study or family reasons.

Under the new fee structure, the five-year passport remains priced at RM200, while the 10-year passport is priced at RM350. According to the Home Ministry, applicants who choose the 10-year option will save RM50 compared with renewing a five-year passport twice over the same period.

Beyond the longer validity period, the new passport also comes with stronger security protection. The latest version contains 94 security elements, compared with 49 in the current passport version.

These security elements include visual, covert and forensic features designed to protect the passport from forgery, alteration and misuse.

Among the technologies included are guilloche patterns, latent images, rainbow printing, line width modulation, holograms and ultraviolet printing. These features are aligned with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The upgraded security system is important as passports are among the most sensitive personal documents used by citizens. Stronger protection helps prevent document fraud, identity misuse and illegal cross-border activities.

The new passport also carries visual elements that reflect Malaysia’s national identity. The design includes inspiration from the country’s history, cultural heritage and constitutional monarchy.

One notable change is the introduction of the Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing butterfly as the new main icon on the passport. The butterfly replaces the hibiscus as the main icon in the existing version and represents Malaysia’s biodiversity and natural heritag

The Home Ministry said the new passport will be rolled out in stages at 71 passport offices nationwide from July to ensure a smooth operational transition.

The phased rollout is intended to avoid disruption at immigration offices and allow the system to operate efficiently as demand increases.

The government has also introduced new-generation printing machines capable of producing up to 60 passports per hour. These machines are expected to support Malaysia’s average monthly issuance of about 160,000 passports.

This means Malaysians do not need to immediately change their passport unless it is expiring soon or they require a new application for travel purposes.

The move is expected to be welcomed by Malaysians, especially fre

For families, professionals and students abroad, the 10-year passport offers added convenience because it reduces administrative planning and renewal frequency.

With improved security, longer validity and a more modern design, the new Malaysian International Passport represents a major upgrade in the country’s immigration and travel document system.

The introduction of the 10-year option also brings Malaysia closer to international practices in countries where longer passport validity is already common.