SINGAPORE: Malaysians are advised to apply for or renew their passports at least six months before the documents expire, as Malaysia’s High Commission here has been seeing an increase in such applications since last year.

       The High Commission said this increase came in the wake of the border control measures by Malaysia and Singapore.

       “In 2020, a total of 60,387 passports were issued compared with 24,000 passports in 2019,” it said in a statement.

       It added that since January this year, the High Commission has issued 69,993 passports.

       The current processing time for passport applications or renewal is up to eight weeks, provided all supporting documents are submitted accordingly.

       To cope with the high number of applications, counter service hours have been extended to 7pm since July 2020, while passports have been printed at the Johor Immigration Department instead of Putrajaya since last September.

       The High Commission also implemented e-appointment and dropbox systems in February for passport applicants.

       It said that in line with Singapore’s health measures, passport applications and renewals and the collection of passports at the High Commission are strictly by appointment only.

       Earlier this year, there were reports and videos of Malaysians coming as early as 6am to queue outside the High Commission, hoping to renew their passports.

       Many expressed frustration as they had to wait outside the mission for quite some time.

       Tens of thousands of Malaysians continue to stay in the island state after Malaysia imposed the first movement control order on March 18 last year.