Migrant Workers Flock to Seremban Immigration Office to Join Repatriation Programme Before Eid
SEREMBAN, March 14 — The Seremban office of the Immigration Department of Malaysia is experiencing a sharp increase in applications from migrant workers seeking to participate in the Migrant Repatriation Programme (PRM) 2.0 ahead of the upcoming Aidilfitri celebration.
Foreign workers from the Klang Valley, particularly Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, have been travelling to Seremban in growing numbers over the past several days to apply for the programme.
Many hope to use the opportunity to return to their home countries and celebrate Eid with their families.
Negeri Sembilan Immigration Director Kennith Tan Ai Kiang said the increase in applicants began to be noticeable in early February and has intensified during the past two weeks.
He explained that most applicants are workers from Indonesia and Bangladesh who intend to return home in time for the festive season.
The Seremban immigration office currently limits its daily processing capacity to about 150 applications to ensure smooth operations.
However, the number of walk-in applicants in recent weeks has risen to as many as 180 people per day.
The surge has forced immigration staff to extend their working hours, sometimes operating until around 10pm to accommodate the demand.
Long queues have also been reported outside the immigration office, with some applicants lining up as early as 6am despite counters only opening at 8am.
Several workers have travelled from neighbouring states just to participate in the repatriation programme before Aidilfitri.
A Bangladeshi construction worker interviewed at the site said he travelled from Selayang in Selangor and arrived early in the morning to ensure his application could be processed.
He explained that he had encountered issues with his work permit and viewed the programme as a chance to return home to Bangladesh and celebrate Eid with his family.
The Migrant Repatriation Programme allows foreign workers facing issues such as expired or missing work permits to voluntarily return to their home countries without prosecution.
Nevertheless, applicants must comply with several conditions set by immigration authorities.
Participants are required to hold a valid passport and provide proof of a travel ticket scheduled within 14 days of submitting their application.
Officials have warned that failure to comply with these requirements could result in penalties, including fines.
The programme was first introduced as PRM 1.0, which ran from March 2024 until March 2025.
Following strong participation, the government launched PRM 2.0, which is currently scheduled to run from May 2025 through April 2026.
Authorities say the initiative is intended to provide a structured and legal pathway for migrant workers to return home while helping the government manage immigration compliance more effectively.
The rising number of applicants ahead of Aidilfitri reflects the strong desire among migrant workers to reunite with their families during one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar.
-wilayah.com.my
