Immigration Department Sabah: Passports & Permits
What does the Immigration Department in Sabah handle?
The Immigration Department in Sabah handles passports, visas, long-term visit passes and work permits. Because Sabah controls its own immigration, every visitor — including Peninsular Malaysians — must carry a valid passport to enter the state.
Immigration in Sabah at a glance
The Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia) manages passports, visas, visit passes and work permits across Sabah. Its state headquarters is the Kompleks Imigresen Kota Kinabalu on Jalan UMS, with the general line 088-488 555 and the official website at imi.gov.my.
For most people, the everyday business with Immigration is a passport renewal, a visa query, or a work pass. The department's busiest counters are at the headquarters and at UTC Kota Kinabalu, where extended hours make after-work visits possible.
The Immigration counter at UTC KK, Wisma Sabah, is open 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week, including public holidays — ideal if you cannot visit during office hours.
The Sabah passport rule
The most important thing to know about Immigration in Sabah is the entry rule. Because Sabah retains control over its own immigration, everyone entering the state must carry a valid passport or approved travel document — and that includes Malaysian citizens travelling from Peninsular Malaysia.
This catches many domestic travellers by surprise. A Malaysian flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu still needs a passport (or an authorised substitute document) and will receive an entry record on arrival. Plan for this before booking domestic flights to Sabah.
Passport services
Immigration processes passport (MyPassport) applications and renewals, the most common service the public uses. Many applicants now begin online and attend in person only for biometrics and collection. Bring your MyKad and, for renewals, your existing passport.
Counters at the Kota Kinabalu headquarters and at UTC KK both handle passports. For children's passports, parents should bring the child's birth certificate and both parents' identity documents. Always confirm the current checklist on imi.gov.my before travelling to the office.
Visas and visit passes
For non-citizens, Immigration handles visa applications and extensions and a range of visit passes. These include the Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP) for foreign spouses of Malaysians and the Sabah chapter of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme.
Each pass has its own eligibility criteria and document requirements, which can change. The department's website is the authoritative source, and complex cases are usually handled at the Sabah headquarters rather than at a branch counter.
Work permits and employment passes
Immigration issues the passes that allow foreigners to work in Sabah. These include the Employment Pass and Temporary Employment Pass for skilled and semi-skilled workers, and the PLKS (Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara) for plantation and construction workers.
Employers usually lead the work-permit process, often in coordination with the Labour Department. Workers and employers should keep documents current, as passes are tied to specific jobs and sectors.
Immigration rules and fees change regularly. This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Verify the latest requirements on imi.gov.my or directly with the department.
Offices and branches in Sabah
The state headquarters is the Kompleks Imigresen Kota Kinabalu on Jalan UMS, reachable on 088-488 555. Beyond the capital, Immigration operates branches in Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kudat, Beaufort and Keningau, covering most of Sabah's major districts.
For routine passport work, the UTC KK counter is often the most convenient because of its long opening hours. For specialised passes and applications, the headquarters or a district branch is usually the right place to go.