Everything you need to know about Malaysian immigration
Comprehensive guides to help you understand the process
Complete overview of all Permanent Residency pathways, eligibility criteria, required documents, and processing timelines.
Read GuideDetailed comparison of Employment Pass categories, Professional Visit Pass, and other work permit options with salary requirements.
Read GuideCurrent estimated processing times for all visa and residency applications based on our recent case experience.
View TimesEstimate government fees, service charges, and total costs for your immigration application type.
Calculate FeesEstimated timelines based on recent applications (updated January 2025)
| Application Type | Government Processing | Our Service Time | Total Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional PR | 24-36 months | 2-4 weeks (prep) | 2-3 years |
| Spouse PR | 18-24 months | 2-3 weeks (prep) | 18-24 months |
| Investor PR | 12-18 months | 4-6 weeks (prep) | 12-18 months |
| Employment Pass I/II | 4-7 weeks | 1 week (prep) | 5-8 weeks |
| Employment Pass III | 2-4 weeks | 3-5 days (prep) | 3-5 weeks |
| TEP | 2-3 weeks | 3-5 days (prep) | 3-4 weeks |
| Professional Visit Pass | 7-14 days | 2-3 days (prep) | 10-17 days |
| Dependent Pass | 3-5 weeks | 1 week (prep) | 4-6 weeks |
| MM2H Application | 6-9 months | 4-6 weeks (prep) | 7-10 months |
Stay informed about policy changes and new regulations
The Malaysian Immigration Department has reduced the waiting period for foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens to apply for Permanent Residency from 5 years to just 3 years. This significant policy change aims to strengthen family unity and make it easier for mixed-nationality families to settle in Malaysia.
What This Means:
If you've been married to a Malaysian citizen for 3 years and hold a valid Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP), you can now apply for PR immediately instead of waiting 5 years.
Revised minimum salary requirements for Employment Pass categories came into effect on January 1, 2025. The changes reflect Malaysia's cost of living adjustments and aim to ensure foreign workers are compensated fairly.
New Requirements:
• EP Category I: RM 10,000+ (no change)
• EP Category II: RM 5,000-9,999 (no change)
• EP Category III: RM 3,000-4,999 (no change)
Malaysia has launched a fully digital work pass system called ePASS for technology professionals. The system eliminates physical pass cards and offers faster processing times through an entirely online platform.
Key Features:
• 100% digital application and approval
• Processing time: 7-14 days
• Digital pass (QR code)
• Focus on tech sector professionals
The Tourism Ministry has issued updated guidelines for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program, clarifying financial requirements and application procedures following the 2021 policy changes.
Clarifications:
• Minimum fixed deposit: RM 1 million
• Minimum offshore income: RM 40,000/month
• Minimum stay requirement: 90 days/year
The Immigration Department has enhanced the points-based PR evaluation system, placing greater emphasis on language skills (particularly Bahasa Malaysia proficiency) and community contributions.
New Weightage:
• Language skills increased to 15% of total score
• Community contribution now 10% of total score
• Work experience remains key factor
The government has announced expedited work permit processing for professionals in critical sectors including healthcare, education, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
Benefits:
• Processing time reduced by 30-40%
• Priority queue for approvals
• Applies to EP and RP-T applications
Quick answers to common immigration questions
PR processing typically takes 2-5 years depending on the category. Professional PR averages 2-3 years, Spouse PR takes 18-24 months, and Investor PR (USD 2M pathway) can be processed in 12-18 months. The timeline also depends on application completeness, your qualifications, and current Immigration Department workload.
The minimum salary depends on the EP category: Category I requires RM 10,000+, Category II requires RM 5,000-9,999, and Category III requires RM 3,000-4,999. Higher salaries generally result in faster approvals and longer validity periods. The salary must be supported by the employer's financial capacity.
No, foreign nationals must have a valid work pass to be legally employed in Malaysia. Working without proper authorization is illegal and can result in fines, imprisonment, and deportation. Even short-term consulting work requires a Professional Visit Pass. We strongly advise obtaining the correct work authorization before commencing any professional activities.
No, it's not mandatory. You can apply directly to the Immigration Department. However, PR applications are complex and require extensive documentation, proper formatting, and strategic presentation. Our clients benefit from our 92% success rate, knowledge of recent policy changes, and experience handling thousands of applications. We also save you significant time and reduce the risk of rejection due to documentation errors.
If your application is rejected, you can usually reapply after addressing the reasons for rejection. The Immigration Department typically provides rejection reasons. We analyze these reasons, strengthen weak areas of your application, and resubmit when appropriate. Some rejections are due to timing or quota issues rather than ineligibility. Our experience helps determine the best path forward after a rejection.
Yes, you can include your spouse and children (under 21 years old) in your PR application. Family members must be included at the time of initial application or can apply separately after your PR is approved. All family members must meet health and character requirements and provide the necessary documentation.
Basic Bahasa Malaysia proficiency is beneficial but not strictly required for most PR categories. However, the points-based PR system awards additional points for language skills. For MM2H to PR conversion, a basic language test is required. We recommend learning basic Malay to improve your application score and demonstrate commitment to integrating into Malaysian society.
An Employment Pass (EP) is a work permit that allows you to be employed in Malaysia. A Dependent Pass allows your spouse and children to live in Malaysia while you hold an EP. Dependent Pass holders cannot work unless they obtain separate work authorization. The main EP holder must earn at least RM 10,000/month to sponsor dependents.
Total costs vary by PR category. Government fees range from RM 500-1,000. Our service fees range from RM 6,500 (Spouse PR) to RM 25,000 (Investor PR). Additional costs may include document translation (RM 50-200 per document), police clearance certificates (varies by country), medical examinations (RM 200-500), and travel for document submission/interviews. We provide a detailed cost breakdown during your consultation.
No, standard Employment Passes are tied to a specific employer. If you change employers, the new company must apply for a new EP on your behalf. You cannot work for the new employer until the new EP is approved. However, Resident Pass-Talent (RP-T) holders have greater flexibility and can change employers without applying for a new pass.
The USD 2 million investment requirement is not a deposit - it's an actual business or property investment in Malaysia. The investment must remain active and benefit the Malaysian economy. You can eventually sell the investment or business, but it must be maintained during the PR application process and initial PR period. Returns on investment (profits, dividends, etc.) belong to you.
All documents not in English or Malay must be officially translated by a certified translator. Common documents requiring translation include: birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic diplomas, police clearance certificates, and tax documents. Translations must be certified and include the translator's credentials. We can arrange certified translations for all required documents as part of our service.
Download comprehensive checklists for your application type
Complete document list for Permanent Residency applications (all categories)
Required documents for Employment Pass applications (Categories I, II, III)
Complete requirements for Malaysia My Second Home program applications
Documents needed for spouse and children's Dependent Pass applications