Possible change in UK visa requirements for Malaysia

Currently Malaysian citizens visiting the United Kingdom on vacation are not required to obtain a visa so long as their stay is less than 6 months. Due to abuse of the visa system this could potentially change by the end of the year resulting in all citizens from Malaysia being required to obtain visas before entering the UK. Malaysian students traveling to Britain are already required to obtain visas for their visit.

The reason for the possible change is that Malaysian citizens are not leaving the country when their time is up resulting in illegal immigration issues for the country.

The Malaysian government has appealed to the British government to reconsider implementing the change in visa policy. The fear is that other European countries will also implement similar visa requirements.

Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Home Minister, has said regarding the policy "We are concerned because the action of some Malaysians is causing inconvenience to others. Malaysians going overseas must adhere to the rules and regulations of the host government. We have six months to improve the situation. I am appealing to Malaysians travelling to Britain to comply with the rules because your action will affect the genuine visitors."

William Boyd McCleary, British High Commissioner to Malaysia said "We will complete the process by early 2009 and have asked Malaysia to respond to all matters that concern us. Britain is getting very good co-operation from Malaysia and we hope that it will not have to come to it."

www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk