Malaysia Entry Pass - Malaysia Permanent Residence Permit (2024)

Getting Permanent Residency in Malaysia is possible through the Malaysian Entry Permit.

The Malaysian government issues an Entry Permit (Malaysia PR) to certain categories of foreign nationals.

If you receive Malaysia permanent residency, you will get an Entry Permit and Identification Card (MyPR).

Who is eligible to be a Permanent Resident in Malaysia?

The following categories are eligible for an Entry Permit (Malaysia PR):

Investors

If you are an individual with a high net worth, you may be able to get Malaysia PR by depositing at least US$ 2 million in a Malaysian bank. You will not be able to withdraw the money for at least five years, however.

Additionally, your spouse and minor children also become eligible for Malaysia permanent residency after five years.

Professionals

If you are a highly-skilled professional, you may be eligible for Malaysia PR if you also fulfill the following requirements:

• You have worked for at least three years in a Malaysian Government Agency or Private Company.
• You are recommended by a Malaysian authoritative agency related to your field.
• You receive a Certificate of Good Conduct from your home country.

Experts

If you are an individual with skills and talents recognized as “World Class” by any International organization, you are eligible to apply for Malaysia permanent residence, if you also:

• Receive a recommendation by a Malaysian authoritative agency related to your field.
• Receive a Certificate of Good Conduct from your home country.

The spouse of a Malaysian citizen

If you are married to a Malaysian citizen, you may be eligible for Malaysian permanent residence if you have been living in Malaysia with a Long Term Social Visit Pass for at least five years.

Through a point-based system

Malaysia also offers foreign nationals an alternate way to permanent residency if they do not qualify for any of the above-mentioned categories.

If you have been living in Malaysia with a Malaysian work permit for several years and satisfy certain other conditions to qualify.

The Malaysia point-based system to Malaysian PR adds up your points through how high you score on the following categories:

• Your age
• Your qualifications
• The duration of your stay in Malaysia
• How familiar you are with the Malaysia Institute
• The value of your investments
• Your work experience in Malaysia
• Your proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia

You must score at least 65 points out of 120 overall to be able to apply.

For example, you will score higher if you are between the ages of 36 and 60 than you would if you are younger or older.

A PhD scores higher than a Master’s or Bachelor Degree, etc.

You can calculate your points though the Point System Calculator for Entry Permit on the website of Malaysia Immigration Department.

Requirements for Malaysia PR

When you decide to apply for Malaysian permanent residency, you must approach the Immigration Department of Malaysia in Putrajaya and inform them. They will issue you with all the required forms and a document checklist, which you must collect.

Once you have obtained all the required documents on the checklist you must submit them at the Immigration Department. The required documents are subject to change depending on your specific case, but include:

• Application form (Form IMM.4)
• Two passport-size pictures of you
• Two passport-size pictures of your sponsor
• A personalised cover letter
• Recommendation by the Relevant Agency in Malaysia (for Expert and Professional categories.
• A Marriage Decree Letter (Surat Akuan Perkahwinan), for spouses of Malaysian citizens
• Photocopies of Employment Pass (if applicable)
• Photocopies of marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Photocopies of birth certificates for your children (if applicable)
• Complete photocopy of your passport
• Any additional documents that support your application, such as proof of funds, medical insurance coverage etc.

Additionally, you must also have a sponsor in Malaysia. The sponsor can be any Malaysian citizen over the age of 21. When you apply for the Entry Permit, both you and the sponsor have to be present.

How to apply for Malaysia PR?

You must submit your Permanent Residence application (Entry Permit) at the Immigration Department of Malaysia in Putrajaya. You must submit the application yourself while you are in Malaysia, not by mail or online.

After you submit your application, you will also have to attend an Interview with the Immigration Department as well as be subject to a background check by the police.

Where can you get recommendation for Malaysia Entry Permit?

If you intend to apply for Malaysia PR under the Professional or Expert categories, you must get a recommendation by one of the following agencies related to your field of expertise:

• For the field of Health and Medicine: Ministry of Health
• For the field of Industries, Services and Manufacturing: Ministry of International Trade and Industries(MITI) or the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA)
• For the field of Agriculture: Ministry Of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry
• For transportation (air, land, maritime): Ministry of Transportation
• For the field of higher learning: Ministry of Higher Learning
• For science, technology and ICT: Ministry Of Science, Technology and Innovation
• For sports: Ministry of Youth and Sports or Malaysian Sports Council
• For banking and finance: Central Bank
• For the field of investment and capital: Security Commission
• For the field of information, communication, culture and arts: Ministry Of Information, Communication and Culture

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)

Another type of Malaysia residence permit is the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program, which offers residence 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 you have enough independent financial means to fund your stay.

If you are under 50 years old, you must have:

• Access to at least $135,000 of liquid assets; or
• At least $10,000 per month from a non-Malaysian source

If you are over 50 year old, you must have:

• Access to at least $95,000 of liquid assets; or
• At least $3,000 per month from a pension/other income
• You must also open a Malaysian bank account and deposit at least $40,000. After one year, you can withdraw $13,000 for use in Malaysia, but must keep $27,000 on the account at all times.

Malaysian Permanent Residence Benefits

PR in Malaysia does not give you all the benefits of Malaysian citizens, like voting or becoming involved in political and governmental issues, but there are still significant benefits, such as:

• You can work and change employment and employers without having to apply for an Employment Permit.
• You can start your own business.
• You can buy property.
• You can travel to Malaysia freely, without a visa.
• You do not have to renew your permit every few years.