A spilled water bottle is usually just an annoying mess, but for one Malaysian traveler, it nearly ruined an upcoming overseas holiday!
Taking to Facebook on 29 August, Amiza Amiruddin shared how a loose water bottle cap inside her leather handbag soaked her wallet, cash, and most importantly, her passport right before a scheduled family trip to Russia with her daughter on September 11.
Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, Amiza detailed her heart-stopping race against time to replace her water-damaged passport and reapply for her Russian visa.
A frantic race for an appointment
After her travel agent confirmed that Russian immigration would likely deny her entry over the physical damage, Amiza knew she had to get a new passport immediately.
Online information suggested replacing a damaged passport took up to 5 working days at main immigration branches. Upon walking in at Immigration Jalan Duta, she learned that appointments must now be booked via the JIM eQ app.
“Slots at Jalan Duta were fully booked, so the officer suggested trying UTC branches,” Amiza shared. “I went home feeling defeated, constantly refreshing the app until suddenly, a 12:00 PM slot opened up at UTC Keramat!”
1-hour replacement at UTC Keramat
Arriving at UTC Keramat at 11:49 AM, she presented her appointment confirmation, secured a queue number, and was called up within 10 minutes.
After photo-taking and processing, she paid a total of RM400 (RM200 compound fee for first-time passport damage + RM200 for a 5-year passport renewal).
“In just about 40 minutes after payment, my new passport was ready! The service was super efficient and smooth,” she praised.
Starting July 2026, the Immigration Department allows damaged passport replacements at all UTCs, completing the process within 1 hour instead of the previous 5-day wait.
Crucial lessons for travelers
Amiza shared key takeaways for fellow Malaysians:
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Use waterproof pouches: Never leave passports loose in handbags near liquids or rain.
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Download JIM eQ: Book appointments early to avoid wasted trips. (Available on Android and IOS)
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Keep IC photocopies ready: Essential for fast-track processing.
