Malaysians may no longer enjoy the visa-free status to enter United Kingdom (UK) in the near future as the problem of too many Malaysian citizens overstaying there is not being properly resolved.

If that happens, not only the process of entering the UK become more troublesome, it will also be a lot more costly. Under the visa rule, Malaysians would need to pay the visa processing fee amounting to RM1,200. This is a non-refundable fee, even when the visa application is rejected.

It is estimated that there are more than 20,000 Malaysians who overstay in the UK at the moment. From Malaysia’s point of view, getting these thousands of people back will be a tall order, and in fact, the government can do little except to advise them to come back.

This year alone, the British Border Agency had deported some 500 Malaysians back during the first 10 month.