Answered3 years ago

Can I use my dual nationality passports interchangeably for entering Malaysia by air for visa runs?

Dual Nationality Malaysia Visa Regulations Passport Usage Visa Run Immigration Rules

Quizas ****************

asked Jun 15, 2023

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I have two passports and I guess this is common to have dual nationality, do you know if I can use them interchangeably to enter Malaysia by air for visa bounce and visa run? As I saw in somewhere before that Malaysia does not recognize dual nationality, would they reject me to enter with passport B if they already have a record of me entering by passport A before? Thanks all !

Answer summary

The use of dual nationality passports for entering Malaysia can be complex. While Malaysia does not officially recognize dual nationality, the main concern for the individual is the swapping of passports for entry. It's emphasized that you can only use one passport when exiting the country; however, if you are traveling by air, you may be able to switch passports during your flight. Nevertheless, it's advised to use the same passport for both entry and exit to avoid complications with immigration records.

11 repliesnewest first

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Michael ********

Yes i used to do it all the time. Only by air though

3 years ago

Joe ******

If Malaysia accepts dual nationality or not is not really a concern for you but for Malaysian citizens.

You only can swap passport if you fly. If you cross by land it's not possible as customs wants to see your exit stamp from Thailand or vice versa.

You can only leave a country on the same passport you entered it (or replacement documents if you lost or they were stolen whilst in the country)

Over all it doesn't bring much to swap passports whilst traveling as your details are feed in to the system including fingerprints and iris scanns.

3 years ago

Jason *********

@Joe *****

I changed passports when crossing by land from Cambodia to Vietnam. As one of them gives me visa free entry and the other doesn't. Seemed to go pretty smooth although I did have to explain to them why I was doing it.

3 years ago

Marc ********

@Jason ********

I tried to do same thing crossing border from Thailand to Cambodia, Poipet.

They refused and said only from Laos they would accept it

3 years ago

Marc ********

@Quizas ***************

Yes it was Cambodia side. I had to present the other passport and waste another page

3 years ago

Quizas ****************

@Marc *******

is the Cambodia border refuse you to enter Cambodia ? then what do you do? Turn around and go back to Thailand? or present them the other passport?

3 years ago

Quizas ****************

@Joe *****

thank you! So I understand that when I enter thailand with passport A, I need to use the same Passport A to stamp out when I leave Thailand.

Then when I fly from Thailand to Malaysia and want to use Passport B to enter Malaysia, which passport number do I use when buying air ticket (airline require me to input passport info when check in)? I think I still need to use Passport A to check in, because the immigration counter in Thailand airport would match my passport info with the air ticket to stamp me out in Passport A. But then when the plane arrive Malaysia, if I present them the Passport B, the officer at immigration counter in Malaysia airport cannot find my stamp out record in Thailand and cannot match the air ticket (as it is having the info of Passport A), so I can’t figure out how …. or did I miss anything ? Wish you can shed some lights 🙏🏻

(you may wonder why I need to enter Malaysia with Passport B, actually I can explain further but it is a bit long, so I try not to complicate it further for now, while if it is useful and necessary to tackle my query above, I am happy to explain more and also appreciate your patient for my long message, apologies in advance!)

3 years ago

Paul *******

@Quizas ***************

It doesn't matter. You can switch passports in the air. Use passport A to enter a country today but next time use passport B. Quite obviously the same document MUST be used for both entry and exit of that particular trip. For subsequent trips there is NO issue. I've used several different nationalities to enter Malaysia on different trips so never an issue. Although I've only ever entered Malaysia by land, I used the same passport as I used to enter Singapore or Thailand prior to my entry into Malaysia. On subsequent trips, I might use a different nationality. No one cares unless you're trying to switch passports at a land, border, which is a no no.

3 years ago

Quizas ****************

@Paul ******

great to know that, thanks a lot for sharing !

3 years ago

Joe ******

@Quizas ***************

Check-in and Immigration are two different places.

If you're in Thailand with Passport A, you book your flight on that Passport.

Then in Malaysia you use Passport B to go through Immigration.

In Malaysia you book your flight with Passport B, clear immigration on that one and once you're in the plane you change back to Passport A.

Now be aware, should you have been banned in one of the countries, it doesn't matter with which Passport you travelled, they will know, it's on file.

3 years ago

Quizas ****************

@Joe *****

Thanks for explaining, very helpful, btw I am not banned by any country, but thanks for reminding 😉

3 years ago