Foreigners in Malaysia with expired social visit passes are requesting to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before being mandated to leave the country by April 21. They are willing to pay for the vaccinations and a temporary special visa. The Immigration Department, led by director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud, has stated that those with expired passes must leave but can apply for a special pass to extend their stay if they face difficulties returning home due to travel restrictions. The article includes personal accounts of foreigners affected by the deadline and their contributions to the local economy. It also addresses concerns raised by Khairul about visitors misusing their passes for illegal work and activities.

Foreign nationals in Malaysia have been receiving warnings from their embassies about the expiration of a grace period for social visit passes, which ends on April 21. This deadline was set after the Malaysian government's movement control order (MCO) ended on March 31, but there has been no announcement regarding an extension despite the MCO being extended until April 14. The US State Department, British High Commission, and Italian Embassy have all sent advisories to their citizens. Foreigners are now facing the dilemma of whether to leave Malaysia or risk penalties, including detention and fines. The situation is complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made it difficult for pass holders to leave and re-enter Malaysia for renewals. Some foreigners have established lives in Malaysia and are calling for clearer guidance and the possibility of a longer-term tourist visa option. The Malaysian Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud has not been available for comment.

The article narrates the personal journey of the author from Russia to Malaysia by train, with detailed experiences in various countries. The author begins by recounting a customs interaction upon returning to Malaysia from Bangkok. The narrative then shifts to the author's decision in Beijing to continue traveling by train despite physical exhaustion. The author reflects on a long-held dream to travel the Trans-Siberian Railway, which was finally realized after quitting an unsatisfying job. The journey through Russia is described with vivid interactions with fellow passengers and the scenery. The author shares cultural exchanges, such as sharing food and stories, and the sense of safety and community found on the train. The article concludes with the author's musings on the concept of home and the emotional connection to familiar sights, such as banana trees, signaling a return to the tropics and, metaphorically, to a sense of belonging.