In order to reduce the crowds at centers and improve efficiency, the immigration department is planning to increase appointment-based services.
As of now, appointments are done for some transactions like applications of entry permit for overseas nationals. Entry permits are necessary for overseas nationals when they are filing application for permanent residence from the National Registration Department.
The deputy director-general, Datuk Sakib Kusmi stated that the appointment-based services would be enhanced to include matters concerned with international workers’ permit. The move was in line with the forthcoming plan of online immigration services such as an online payment is anticipated to be implemented by the end of this year.
He added that the appointments will be decided in a systematic manner depending on the priority of the application, department’s capacity and the need of the applicant being there in person. The procedure would lessen congestion and will reduce the transactions at counters, he added.
Sakib added that the applicants would be informed about the appointment online either through the email or Immigration Department website. Applicants will be intimated with the date and time of the appointment. He added that the immigration departments in Australia and New Zealand and Switzerland were among the nations that have executed appointment-based services.
Further, he said that the appointment-based services would allow the department to resolve issues of incomplete applications. In the coming days, applicants are not required to bring their documents for the appointment if their data have been updated and verified online, aiming at making every transaction and process efficient and transparent.
He added on saying that at this point of time it is very important that the public should be familiarized with the implementation of new online system. The move to the online system would determine the department’s workforce commitment towards enforcement and monitoring activities.
