Immigration Crackdown 2026: What You Need to Know About the Nationwide Raids

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Repatriation Fine Estimator (2026)

For Peninsular Malaysia & Labuan

Note: Payments are 100% cashless. Bring your passport and a flight ticket departing within 14 days. Program ends April 30, 2026.

Disclaimer

Note for Sarawak Readers: Because Sarawak has its own immigration laws (MA63), the PRM 2.0 program is mostly for West Malaysia. For cases in Bau or Kuching, please visit the Sarawak Immigration Office at Simpang Tiga to confirm the latest state-level repatriation fees.

If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ll notice a significant increase in reports regarding Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) operations. From city centres in Kuala Lumpur to construction sites along the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak, enforcement is at an all-time high.

The Numbers: A Massive Enforcement Wave

The statistics for 2025 were staggering, and 2026 shows no signs of slowing down. Last year alone, over 13,900 operations were conducted, resulting in the detention of more than 92,000 undocumented migrants.

As we move into the first quarter of 2026, the focus has shifted toward specific sectors:

  • Illegal Beauty & Wellness Clinics: Targeting those abusing Social Visit Passes.
  • Construction & Logistics: Massive screenings at major infrastructure project sites.
  • Entertainment Outlets: Late-night “Ops Mega” raids in urban hubs.

Spotlight on Sarawak

For those of us in Sarawak, the enforcement has a unique local flavour. The authorities are working closely with the military to monitor “rat trails” (lorong tikus) along the border. Recently, major raids in Kuching, Kapit, and Lundu have led to hundreds of individuals being processed for deportation.

The “Grace Period”: Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0

It’s not all just raids and arrests. The government has extended the Migrant Repatriation Programme (PRM 2.0) until April 30, 2026. This allows undocumented individuals to return home voluntarily by paying a compound (between RM300 and RM500) instead of facing prosecution and potentially heavier penalties like canning or long-term imprisonment.

A Warning to Employers

The “Year of Enforcement” isn’t just targeting the workers. Malaysian employers caught harbouring undocumented staff face:

  1. Fines up to RM50,000 per worker.
  2. Potential jail sentences.
  3. Strict blacklisting from future hiring.

Quick Tips for Kirasemua Readers:

  • Check Pass Validity: If you employ foreign domestic help or workers, ensure their permits are active.
  • Use the PRM 2.0: If you know someone undocumented who wishes to return home, encourage them to use the official repatriation channel before the April deadline.
  • Stay Informed: Follow official JIM social media channels for real-time updates on operation zones.

The summarised data is based on the latest 2025 and early 2026 reports from the Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM).

National Enforcement Summary (2025 – Feb 2026)

CategoryFull Year 2025 (Official)Jan – Early Feb 2026 (Estimates)
Total Operations (Raids)13,910~1,200+
Individuals Screened239,326~25,000+
Total Detained (Catch)92,360~8,500+
Malaysian Employers Detained1,500+~120+

As of February 2026, the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 (PRM 2.0) is the only official “pardon” channel for undocumented migrants to leave Malaysia voluntarily without being arrested or blacklisted for life.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use the PRM 2.0 (2026)

Step 1: Booking an Appointment (STO 2.0)

You cannot just walk into the Immigration office without a slot. You must use the Sistem Temujanji Online (STO 2.0).

  • Website: sto.imi.gov.my
  • Selection: You must select “Program Repatriasi Migran” as the category. Selecting the wrong category will result in your appointment being rejected on the spot.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Before your appointment date, ensure you have these three items:

  1. Valid Travel Document: This can be an original passport OR a Sijil Perjalanan Laksana Pasport (SPLP) issued by your home country’s embassy.
  2. Confirmed Flight Ticket: You must have a ticket ready. The departure date should be within 14 days of your appointment date.
  3. No Agents: The applicant must be present in person. Third-party agents are strictly not allowed.

Step 3: The Payment (Cashless Only)

During your appointment, you will be issued a compound based on your offence.

  • Overstaying / No Pass: RM 500
  • Violating Pass Conditions: RM 300
  • Processing Fee: RM 20 (Special Pass)
  • Method: You must pay via Debit Card, Credit Card, or e-Wallet (Touch ‘n Go is usually accepted). Cash is not accepted at the counters.

Step 4: Departure

Once you have your Special Pass and receipt:

  • Head to the airport on your departure date.
  • Present your documents at the Immigration counter at the airport.
  • You are free to return home safely!

Who is NOT eligible for PRM 2.0?

  • Individuals currently in Immigration Detention Depots.
  • Those with active arrest warrants or who are wanted by the police.
  • Individuals who registered for previous amnesty programs but failed to leave the country.

Final Note for your Sarawak context:

While the above is the national standard, always remind your readers that Sarawak has the final say on its border entries. For your neighbours in Bau, the Simpang Tiga Immigration Office in Kuching is the main hub for these inquiries.

The financial impact of immigration raids and undocumented labour is a complex “double-edged sword” for Malaysia. While enforcement is expensive, the government views it as a necessary cost for long-term economic health and national security.

1. The Direct Fiscal Cost (Taxpayer Spending)

The government spends millions of ringgit annually on the “catch and deport” cycle. These are funds that could otherwise be spent on schools, hospitals, or infrastructure.

  • Detention Costs: It is estimated that the government spends roughly RM 2 million per day nationwide just to feed and provide basic amenities for detainees in immigration depots.
  • Enforcement Budget: The 2026 budget has allocated nearly RM 700 million to RM 1 billion to strengthen enforcement agencies (including JIM, PDRM, and Customs). This includes the cost of fuel for raids, body cameras, and the maintenance of transport vehicles.
  • Deportation Fees: While the PRM 2.0 program shifts the cost of tickets to the migrants, the government still bears the administrative cost of processing thousands of deportees and coordinating with foreign embassies.

2. The Economic Disruption (Business Loss)

This is where the private sector feels the most pain. Many industries in Malaysia are heavily reliant on low-skilled labour.

  • Manpower Shortages: Sudden raids on construction sites or plantations can bring projects to a halt. In some sectors, like wet markets, business owners report that without undocumented labour, they operate at less than 20% capacity because locals are often unwilling to take “3D” (Dirty, Dangerous, Difficult) jobs.
  • Reduced Productivity: Bank Negara has noted that while cheap labour helps businesses in the short term, a “high reliance” on it actually stunts the country’s GDP growth in the long run. It discourages companies from investing in automation and high-tech machinery because “throwing more cheap labour at the problem” is easier.

3. The “Hidden” Long-Term Loss

If the country doesn’t raid and manage undocumented workers, there are other financial drains:

  • Unpaid Levies: Documented workers pay a multi-billion ringgit “foreign worker levy” to the government. Undocumented workers do not, resulting in a massive loss in potential tax revenue.
  • Healthcare Strain: Undocumented migrants often avoid hospitals until an illness is severe, which can lead to the spread of communicable diseases. This creates a public health cost that the government eventually has to pay for.
  • Wage Suppression: A large pool of undocumented workers keeps wages low for everyone. By removing them, the government hopes to force a “wage clearing” where salaries for low-skilled Malaysians can finally rise.

Summary Table on its financial and social impacts

Cost of Raids (Short Term)Economic Gain of Enforcement (Long Term)
High detention & feeding costs (RM 2m/day).Increased collection of worker levies.
Push for businesses to automate/modernise.Push for businesses to automate/modernize.
Administrative burden of deportation.Higher wages for low-skilled local workers.
Potential project delays (Construction).Temporary labour shortages in “3D” sectors.

Sources & References:-

Official Government Sources

News & Statistical References (2025-2026)

  • The Star – Immigration Enforcement News: thestar.com.my/news/nation (Good for citing the 2025 year-end statistics of 92,000+ detentions.)
  • Bernama (National News Agency): bernama.com (The most reliable source for official statements from the Home Minister regarding raid numbers and policy changes.)
  • DayakDaily – Sarawak Specific News: dayakdaily.com (Excellent for referencing the specific raids in Kuching, Lundu, and along the Pan Borneo Highway.)
  • Department of Immigration Malaysia: Official Enforcement & Act 155 Guidelines
  • Ministry of Finance: Federal Government Expenditure 2025/2026 – Security & Home Affairs Sector.
  • Bernama News: “Saifuddin: Over RM80m spent on food for immigration detainees annually.”
  • Bank Negara Malaysia: Outlook & Policy 2025 – Navigating Labour Market Shifts.

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