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Some 30,000 Malaysians overstay in Britain: report

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-23 13:56

KUALA LUMPUR -- An estimated 30,000 Malaysians had overstayed in Britain and the Malaysian High Commission in London was making efforts to facilitate them to return home, local media reported on Tuesday.

The Malaysian High Commission in London was providing information and guidance to these Malaysians as part of its ongoing efforts to facilitate them to return to Malaysia, local newspapers reported.

Britain gave Malaysia a six-month grace period in July this year before deciding whether to impose a visa on Malaysians.

Currently, Malaysians visiting Britain enjoy six months of visa- free travel.

The British government reportedly has introduced a voluntary repatriation program to offer one-way tickets for overstayers, including Malaysians, to send them back home.

Yet, these overstayers, or illegal immigrants, would be blacklisted and barred from entering Britain for five years.