Labor Ministry Warns: Malaysia Serious About Sending Illegal Workers Home—Thais Urged to Check Status Immediately
Malaysia's extended voluntary repatriation program for illegal workers runs through May 2026, offering Thai nationals immunity from prosecution if they register and pay fines before the deadline.
On May 22, 2025, Deputy Labor Minister Wanpong Khachruk revealed that Malaysia has extended the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 for an additional year, effective from May 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. The previous year's program was highly successful, with over 254,186 participants from 112 countries registering for voluntary deportation, significantly reducing the illegal migrant population in Malaysia. Participants receive prosecution immunity if they comply with specified conditions, including paying fines based on violation type: 500 ringgit for illegal entry or overstaying, 300 ringgit for work permit violations, plus 20 ringgit for a Special Pass fee. "The Labor Ministry urges all Thai workers in Malaysia illegally to immediately comply with program requirements," Deputy Minister Khachruk stated. "This offers them the chance to return home safely without facing arrest and prosecution, and the opportunity to seek legitimate employment elsewhere."
