The director-general of immigration, Mustafar Ali, said the applications can be done online from anywhere, regardless of the time or day. Mobile phones may also be used.

The applicants may choose to go to any of the passport issuing counters in Pahang, Sarawak, Penang and Putrajaya or the UTC at Pudu Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, and Galleria@Kotaraya, Johor.

“For example, the online application is made in Johor, but (the applicant) may want to collect it (passport) at the Immigration Department counter in Penang,” he said.

The new service is a pilot programme for the ‘MyOnline Passport’ system. It is hoped the new system will help overcome congestion at Immigration offices.

Passport holders are able to update their personal details, upload the required photograph, and make payment by debit or credit card, before collecting the passport at any of the designated counters.