Malaysia Warns Arrest For Visa Overstayers After April 30, Telangana Migrants Asked To Act Early

Malaysia has asked illegal migrants and foreigners who have overstayed their visas to leave the country voluntarily by April 30, 2026, warning that strict action will follow if they fail to comply. Authorities said individuals who depart before the deadline will avoid imprisonment, as the government aims to encourage undocumented migrants to return home without facing harsh penalties.

The directive is part of Malaysia's broader effort to regulate the presence of undocumented foreign workers and reduce visa overstay violations across the country.

'Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0' Launched

To assist migrants in regularising their status or returning home, Malaysia has launched a special scheme called Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0. Under this initiative, undocumented migrants can apply through authorised Immigration Control Posts (ICP) and approved typing centres to renew their visas or complete the process required to travel back to their home countries.

Officials explained that the programme is designed to streamline procedures and give migrants an opportunity to resolve their immigration status without facing severe legal consequences.

However, authorities also made it clear that strict enforcement will begin after the deadline. Migrants who remain in the country without valid documents after April 30 could face significant fines and prison sentences. Inspections and enforcement drives are expected to intensify from May 1, 2026.

Telangana Migrants Among Undocumented Workers

Malaysia hosts a significant number of workers from Telangana. According to estimates by the State NRI Advisory Committee, nearly 80,000 people from the state are currently employed in Malaysia.

Among them, migrants from the erstwhile Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts form a large group, while the undivided Adilabad district accounts for the highest number of workers from the state in the Southeast Asian nation.

The committee believes that roughly 2,000 migrants from Telangana may currently be living in Malaysia without valid documentation, making them vulnerable to the new enforcement measures if they fail to return or regularise their status before the deadline.

Emergency Certificates for Stranded Indians

Many undocumented migrants face practical challenges such as lost or expired passports, which makes travelling back to India difficult. To address this issue, the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur has been issuing Emergency Certificates (EC) to stranded Indian nationals.

These certificates allow individuals without valid passports to return to India legally, helping them complete the repatriation process before enforcement begins.

"People should contact NRI associations or the High Commission for further details. If they return to India before the deadline set by Malaysia, they will not face problems," State NRI Advisory Committee member Swadesh Parikipandla said.