With years of trade and investment collaborations with countries in the West, South Korea and Japan as well as close cultural ties with Arab, Chinese and Indian businesses, Malaysia could be considered as an attractive business hub for foreign investors. Foreign investments made up 57.2 per cent of the country’s total approved investments worth RM329.5 billion in 2023.
At the same time, there are plenty of opportunities for expats including skilled professionals who want to forge a career in Malaysia. As foreign collaborations increase, more people from other countries may want to travel to and live in Malaysia. If you’re one of them, the Residence Pass is a visa you can apply to, especially if you’re planning to stay longer for studies or work.
Read Also: VDR, VP(TE) And EP: Guide To Hiring Foreign Workers For Your Company In Malaysia
Why Apply For Malaysia’s Residence Pass?
The Residence Pass is a type of visa that allows foreigners to study, work or set up business interchangeably without having to convert to another pass.
Typically, visas are issued according to specific purposes. For example, the single-entry visa is limited to social visits and is valid for only three months. Meanwhile, the multiple entry visa, which is issued to individuals with business matters in the country, is valid for three to 12 months.
The Residence Pass allows for multiple entries throughout a valid period of five years, which is longer than the visas mentioned.
The Residence Pass is not to be confused with the Residence Pass-Talent (RPT), which is under the purview of the TalentCorp Malaysia. The RPT is issued to expatriates working as highly skilled professionals in certain industries.
Who Can Apply For The Residence Pass?
The Residence Pass is open for application to foreigners who have the following familial ties with a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident.
Familial ties to Malaysian citizen
- Spouse of a Malaysian citizen
- Biological child/step-child/adopted child of a citizen aged 18 and below
- Divorcee/widow/widower to citizen with a biological child who is a citizen
- Biological parent to a citizen
- Mother/father-in-law to a citizen who is holding a valid pass in Malaysia
Familial ties to permanent resident
- Spouse to a permanent resident in Malaysia
- Biological child to a permanent resident aged 18 and below
To qualify for the pass, applicants must have resided in the country for at least three years on a valid long-term pass if they’re related to a Malaysian citizen, and at least four years if their familial ties are with a permanent resident.
Additionally, former Malaysians who had voluntarily renounced their citizenship can also apply for the Residence Pass to stay and work or study in the country.
All applications need to be sponsored by a Malaysian who is above 21 years old. If you’re applying for the Residence Pass in the Sabah or Sarawak state, the sponsor needs to be a Malaysian who’s originally from the respective state.
For a divorcee/widow/widower of a citizen with a child who is a citizen, applicant needs to be awarded with a joint or full custody of the child by the relevant court.
Applying For The Residence Pass
To apply for the Residence Pass, the following are some of the documents that you need to prepare for.
- Form IMM 16a
- Photocopy of applicant’s old and new passport
- Two passport size photos
- Photocopy of husband’s or wife’s identity card
- Two copies of sponsor’s identity card
- Photocopy of relevant documents such as marriage certificate, divorce certificate, birth certificate and identity card of biological children (if any)
For former Malaysians who had voluntarily renounced their citizenship, they will have to prepare the following documents:
- Form IMM 16a
- Photocopy of applicant’s old and new passport
- Two passport size photos
- Photocopy of birth certificate of the applicants
- Photocopy of Declaration of Renunciation of Malaysian Citizenship (Form Y/K)
- Two copies of sponsor’s identity card
After preparing the documents, you can submit them to the nearest immigration office or the Immigration Department of Malaysia’s headquarters in Putrajaya. Former Malaysians who are applying for the Residence Pass will need to bring along the original copies of the documents.
Both applicant and sponsor will need to be present for the submission of documents at the immigration office.
Once your application is approved, you will be issued the Residence Pass, which is valid for five years. You will need to pay RM500 for the pass.
Read Also: Guide To Applying For DE Rantau, Malaysia’s Digital Nomad Pass
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