Malaysia Residence Pass Talent (RP-T) is a pretty recent addition to the Malaysian employment permits. It allows the owner to work in Malaysia up to 10 years despite the employer, and it can be renewed. Additionally, the employee’s spouse and children under the age of 18 can come to Malaysia as well. They are also allowed to work and study in Malaysia (first applies only to the spouse).
Malaysia Residence Pass owner is also allowed to bring their parents and children over the age of 18 with a Long-Term Social Visit Malaysia Permit, which is only valid for up to five years.
However, the Malaysia Residence Pass is only issued to talented foreign workers who meet certain criteria, so it is often called the Malaysian Talent Pass or Talent Visa.
Only foreign workers already in Malaysia can apply for a Talent Residence Pass.
You are eligible to apply for a Talent Malaysia Residence Pass if:
- You have lived in Malaysia for at least three years under valid Malaysian employment.
- At the time of application, your Employment Pass is still valid for at least three more months.
- You are a professional with high performance and can contribute to the development of the Malaysian economy.
- You have a minimum of five years of work experience.
- You earn a monthly salary of at least 15,000 ringgits (excluding bonuses and allowances).
- You have an academic qualification from a recognized educational institution.
- You have paid income tax in Malaysia for at least 2 years.
- You have a Malaysian Income Tax Return Number.
In addition, although not exclusive, workers in the following industries known as 'Key Economic Areas' are more likely to be granted a Malaysian Residence Permit:
- Oil, gas and energy
- Palm oil and rubber
- Tourism
- Education
- Health care
- Financial services
- Business services
- Communications, content and infrastructure
- Electricity and electronics
- Agriculture
- Wholesale and retail
These industries are included in the National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) as described in the Malaysian Government's Economic Transformation Program (ETP).
When applying for a Malaysian residence permit, you must have the following supporting documents:
- Form IMM12 (Visit Pass application form)
- Form IMM16 (residence permit application form)
- Malaysian Sponsor Form (declaration that they support your application for a residence permit)
- No-objection letter from current employer
- Photocopies of all pages of your passport
- Three passport-sized photographs of yourself, taken against a light blue background
- Photocopies of all your educational certificates
- A copy of your employment contract
- Your resume
- Copy of salary certificates for the last three months
- A copy of the tax return for the last two years
- Recommendation letters (feedback)
If you are also applying for a dependent spouse or child, you must have additional documents such as:
Photocopies of all passport pages
- Copy of marriage or birth certificate. The copy must be certified as a Certified True Copy (CTC) by your country's embassy in Malaysia.
- Three passport-size photographs of them, taken against a light blue background.
All submitted documents must be in English. If there are none, they must be translated, and both the original and a copy must be provided.
According to the Immigration Department of Malaysia, this type of Malaysian Residence Permit is also issued to the following categories of foreign nationals:
- A family member of a Malaysian citizen
- Legal spouse
- Child up to 18 years old
- Biological father
- Parents with a valid pass in Malaysia
To be eligible, family members of a Malaysian citizen must have resided in Malaysia with a valid pass for at least three years.
- Family member of a permanent resident of Malaysia
- To be eligible, family members of a Malaysian PR must have resided in Malaysia with a valid pass for at least five years.
A former Malaysian citizen is the one who:
- Denied citizenship
- Lost citizenship
In all cases, applicants must have a Malaysian sponsor of at least 21 years of age. Any Malaysian aged 21 years and above is eligible to be a sponsor.
The above categories of applicants must submit their application for a pass and the required documents (see below) in person at the offices of the Malaysian Immigration Department in Putrajaya or at the nearest immigration office. Both the applicant and the sponsor must be present when submitting the application.
In this case, the Residence Passport is valid for five years and allows the holder to work, study and start a business in Malaysia without having to apply for a work/study permit.
Necessary documents
When applying for a residence permit in Malaysia at a Malaysian immigration office, applicants must have the following documents:
- Residence permit application form (IMM16a form)
- A complete photocopy of their passport and any passports they previously held.
- Two passport size photographs
- A copy of the sponsor's identity card.
- Additional documents based on their status include:
- For spouses: photocopy of the marriage certificate
- For children: photocopy of the birth or adoption certificate.
- For biological parents of a Malaysian citizen:
- Photocopy of their Malaysian child's birth certificate.
- Photocopy of their Malaysian child's identity card.
- Photocopy of their marriage certificate.
- For spouse/child of a Malaysian citizen: two photocopies of Malaysian spouse/father's identity card.
- For Malaysian PR spouse/child: photocopy of their spouse/parent's Permanent Resident (MyPR) ID card.
- For former Malaysians:
- Photocopy of their passport and any passport they previously held.
- Photocopy of their birth certificate
- Photocopy of their declaration of renunciation of Malaysian citizenship (Form Y/K) OR a photocopy of the order of renunciation of Malaysian citizenship.
- Photocopies of birth and marriage certificates (non-Malaysian) must be certified as Certified True Copy (CTC) by the respective country's embassy in Malaysia.
- All documents must be in English. If there are none, they must be translated, and both the original and a copy must be provided.
Another type of residence permit in Malaysia is the Malaysian ‘My Second Home’ (MM2H) program, which offers accommodation and free travel to the holder and their family members for up to ten years.
You are eligible for the MM2H program if you can show that you have sufficient independent financial resources to cover your stay.
If you are under 50, you must have:
- Access to assets of at least 135,000 American dollars; or at least 10,000 American dollars per month from a non-Malaysian source
If you are over 50, you must have:
- Access to assets of at least 95,000 American dollars; or at least 3,000 American dollarsper month from pension/other income
- You must also open a Malaysian bank account and deposit at least 40,000 American dollars. After one year, you can withdraw 13,000 dollars for usage in Malaysia, but must keep 27,000 dollars in the account at all times.
The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) residence permit program has been working since 2002. Subject to compliance with all requirements, applicants and their family members receive a multiple-entry resident visa for 10 years. In fact, this visa is a type of residence that entitles the applicant and his family to reside in Malaysia.
Main advantages
- Residence in Malaysia for 10 years (can be extended).
- Possibility to include spouse(s) and unmarried children under 21 in the application.
- Opening and registering your own business in the country.
- Ability to purchase any number of residential properties starting at MYR 1 million (USD 235,000).
- Taxes are levied only on income earned in Malaysia.
- Absence of a mandatory requirement for residence in the country of PMP support.
Conditions for obtaining PMP Malaysia
A visa issued under the MM2H program does not provide for employment in the country and is not a basis for obtaining permanent residence and citizenship
Applicants aged 35 and above must prove their financial ability to live in Malaysia without employment.
Before submitting an application
Applicants must demonstrate assets of at least MYR 1.5 million (USD 350,000) and provide proof of monthly income of at least MYR 40,000 (USD 10,000).
After pre-approval of the application, the candidate must:
- Open a bank account.
- Get a medical certificate from any private hospital or clinic.
- Purchase a health insurance policy from any licensed insurance company in Malaysia.
The main applicant must open a fixed deposit account and invest at least MYR 1 million (USD 235,000) plus MYR 50,000 (USD 12,000) for each dependent family member.
After the end of the year of deposit, MYR 500,000 (USD 115,000) can be withdrawn from the account to cover agreed expenses for property purchase, children's education or medical services in Malaysia only.
A minimum balance of MYR 500,000 (USD 115,000) must be maintained in the account during the entire stay in Malaysia under the MM2H program.
After receiving the conditional visa approval letter, the applicant must come to Malaysia to open an account, undergo a medical examination and purchase health insurance. The cost of a medical examination is approximately MYR 200 (USD 50) and the cost of health insurance is MYR 1,500 (USD 350) per year.
After providing a deposit certificate, a health insurance policy and a medical report, the applicant receives a residence visa.
A long-term social visit pass to Malaysia is issued to foreigners who wish to stay in Malaysia for more than six months.
It is issued to family members of Employment Pass holders or spouses of Malaysian citizens, as well as foreigners who need medical treatment in Malaysia.
However, the long-term social visit pass to Malaysia is most often issued to spouses/family members of Malaysians or foreign residents of Malaysia, hence it is known as the Malaysia Spouse Visa.
The Malaysian Long Term Social Visit (Spousal Visa) is available for:
- Foreign citizens who are spouses of Malaysian citizens
- Family members of Malaysian employment passport holders: common-law spouse, children over 21 (they must not be married), parents or in-laws
- Foreign nationals seeking medical care in Malaysia and 1 accompanying person
Requirements to Malaysia for a long-term social visit
When applying for a long-term social visit pass to Malaysia, applicants must submit the following documents to the Immigration Department of Malaysia:
- Two copies of visa application forms IMM.12, IMM.55 and IMM.38
- Complete copies of the applicant's passport, including personal information pages, previous visas and cover.
Documents required for the spouse of a Malaysian citizen:
- Photocopy of the marriage certificate
- Malaysian Sponsor Application Form
- Security Bond with a revenue stamp of 10.00 ringgits
- 2 passport-size photographs of the spouses
- Statutory declaration of marital status (proof that it is still valid)
- Photocopies of children's birth certificates (if any)
- Photocopy of the birth certificate
- Photocopy of an ID card
- Wedding photos
- Residential address of a Malaysian citizen
- If a Malaysian citizen is employed: a cover letter from the employer of the Malaysian citizen
- If the Malaysian citizen is self-employed (one of the following):
- Trade license
- ROC form
- Form J
- Certificates of income of a Malaysian citizen.
Documents required for family members of Employ Pass holders:
- A cover letter from the Employ Pass holder's employer
- Letter of permission from the Employ Pass holder's employer
- 2 recent passport size photographs of the applicant
- Marriage certificate (if any)
- Children's birth certificates or adoption documents
- Documents for storage, if any
- Complete photocopies of passports of all applicants
- Employ Pass owner approval letter
- For elderly parents who cannot take care of them in their home country:
- Personal Bond Badge with 10.00 ringgits revenue stamp
- Statutory declaration from a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident
- Identity card of the sponsor
- Security Bond with a revenue stamp of 10.00 ringgits
The long-term social visit pass is issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
A Malaysian citizen/Employment Pass owner must submit an application along with the required documents to the Immigration Department or a Malaysian Immigration Office prior to the foreigner's arrival.
If the applicant is the spouse of a Malaysian citizen, they must be present with the Malaysian when applying for a long-term social visit at the Immigration Department.
Visa to Malaysia with reference to long-term social visit
Before a foreigner can travel to Malaysia, they must obtain a Visa with a Reference (VDR) from the nearest Malaysian Embassy/Consulate.
To apply for a Malaysian visa with background information, they will need a visa approval letter from the Immigration Department in advance.
All foreign nationals traveling to Malaysia for non-tourism purposes must apply for a VDR.
Necessary documents for obtaining a visa to Malaysia with a certificate:
- Visa application forms IMM.12, IMM.55 and IMM.38 Visa With Reference application form Two recent photographs of both spouses/applicants Copies of passports of both applicants and spouses Identity card of Malaysian sponsor/spouse A copy of the marriage certificate Legal declaration of marital status Security bond with 10.00 ringgits revenue stamp Children's birth certificate, if available Confirmation of the sponsor's financial income
- Visa application forms IMM.12, IMM.55 and IMM.38
- Visa With Reference application form
- Two recent photographs of both spouses/applicants
- Copies of passports of both applicants and spouses
- Identity card of Malaysian sponsor/spouse
- A copy of the marriage certificate
- Legal declaration of marital status
- Security bond with 10.00 ringgits revenue stamp
- Children's birth certificate, if available
- Confirmation of the sponsor's financial income
Spouse’s visa validity period in Malaysia.
A long-term social visa is issued for a period of at least six months and a maximum of five years. It can be extended until the expiration date.
Working with a long-term social visa of Malaysia
Family members of Employment Pass owners cannot work only on a long-term social pass. If they find an employer, they must apply for their own employment permit.
Work permit for a spouse of a Malaysian citizen
Spouses of Malaysian citizens can work in Malaysia without having to change their long-term social pass to an employment pass.
Instead, they must obtain an employment permit in their passport from the Immigration Department of Malaysia, which is issued free of charge.
To obtain an employment permit, a spouse must submit an application together with a letter of appointment or company registration certificate, a marriage certificate and a valid long-term social pass to the Visas, Passes and Permits Department of the Immigration Service or to the nearest state immigration office.
If the owner of a long-term social passport of Malaysia obtains a work permit, he is allowed to work in his profession.
You can get a permanent residence in Malaysia through an entry permit to Malaysia.
The Malaysian government issues an Entry Permit (PR Malaysia) to certain categories of foreign citizens.
If you are granted permanent residency in Malaysia, you will receive an Entry Permit and Identity Card (MyPR).
The following categories are eligible for an entry permit (Malaysia PR):
Investors
If you are a high net worth individual, you can get a PR in Malaysia by depositing at least 2 million American dollars in a Malaysian bank. However, you won't be able to withdraw the money for at least five years.
In addition, your spouse and minor children also become eligible for permanent residency in Malaysia after five years.
Professionals
If you are a highly qualified professional, you may be eligible for PR in Malaysia if you also meet the following requirements:
- You have worked for at least three years in a Malaysian government agency or a private company.
- You are recommended by a reputable agency in Malaysia related to your industry.
- You receive a certificate of good conduct in your country.
Experts
If you are an individual with skills and talents recognized by any international organization as 'world class', you are eligible to apply for permanent residency in Malaysia if you also:
- Get a recommendation from a reputable Malaysian agency relevant to your industry.
- Obtain a certificate of good conduct in your country.
Wife of a Malaysian citizen
If you are married to a Malaysian citizen, you may be eligible for permanent residency in Malaysia if you have lived in Malaysia on a long-term social visitor pass for at least five years.
Through the point system
Malaysia also offers foreign nationals an alternative route to permanent residency if they do not fit any of the above categories.
If you have been living in Malaysia with a Malaysian employment permit for several years and meet certain other eligibility conditions.
Malaysia's points-based system adds your points to the Malaysian PR based on how high you score in the following categories:
- Your age
- Your qualifications
- Duration of your stay in Malaysia
- How familiar you are with the Malaysian Institute
- The value of your investment
- Your work experience in Malaysia
- Your knowledge of Bahasa Malaysia
You must score at least 65 out of 120 to apply.
For example, you'll get a higher score if you're between 36 and 60 than if you're younger or older.
PhD scores are higher than Masters or Bachelors etc.
You can calculate your points using the Entry Permit Points Calculator on the Immigration Department of Malaysia website.
Requirements for PR Malaysia
If you decide to apply for permanent residence in Malaysia, you should contact the Malaysian Immigration Department in Putrajaya and inform them. They will issue you with all the necessary forms and a list of documents that you must collect.
Once you have received all the required documents from the checklist, you must submit them to the Immigration Department.
Required documents may vary depending on your specific case, but include:
- Application form (form IMM.4)
- Two passport size photographs of you
- Two passport size photographs of your sponsor
- Personal cover letter
- Recommendation of the relevant agency in Malaysia (for categories of experts and professionals.
- Marriage Certificate (Surat Akuan Perkahwinan) for spouses of Malaysian citizens
- Photocopies of the employment book (if any)
- Photocopies of the marriage certificate (if any)
- Photocopies of your children's birth certificates (if any)
- Complete photocopy of your passport
- Any additional documents that support your application, such as proof of funds, etc.
- In addition, you must also have a sponsor in Malaysia. Any Malaysian citizen aged 21 years and above can be a sponsor. When you apply for an entry permit, you and your sponsor must be present.
If you intend to apply for PR Malaysia under the ‘Professional’ or ‘Expert’ categories, you must obtain a recommendation from one of the following agencies related to your area of expertise:
- For the field of healthcare and medicine: Ministry of Health
- For industry, services and manufacturing: Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) or Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA)
- For the field of agriculture: Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industry
- For transportation (air, land, sea): Ministry of Transport
- For the field of higher education: Ministry of Higher Education
- For science, technology and ICT: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation
- For sports: Ministry of Youth and Sports or Sports Council of Malaysia
- For banking and finance: Central Bank
- For the area of investment and capital: Security Commission
- In the field of information, communication, culture and art: Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture
