Visa Types — Malaysia

Major Visa Categories for Immigrating to Malaysia

*Note: Malaysia's immigration policies and fees change periodically. All figures below should be verified with the Malaysian Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia) or the nearest Malaysian embassy/consulate before making decisions. Exchange rates used: approximately 1 USD = 4.70 MYR (subject to fluctuation).*

1. Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Visa

Who it's for: Foreign nationals (and dependents) seeking long-term residency in Malaysia, typically retirees or financially independent individuals, without the right to work.

Key Eligibility Requirements (2024 revised tiers):

• Silver Tier: Fixed deposit of RM500,000; offshore income proof of RM40,000/month; liquid assets of RM1.5 million
• Gold Tier: Fixed deposit of RM1 million; offshore income proof of RM40,000/month; liquid assets of RM3 million
• Platinum Tier: Fixed deposit of RM2 million; offshore income proof of RM40,000/month; liquid assets of RM5 million
• Valid passport, medical insurance, and clean criminal record
• Age requirement: typically 30+ years old

Processing Time: 3–6 months (can extend longer depending on documentation)

Cost:

• Application fee: RM90 (~USD 19)
• Approval fee/visa fee: RM500–RM1,000 depending on nationality (~USD 106–213)
• Fixed deposit requirements (not a fee, but a financial commitment): RM500,000–RM2,000,000
• Agent fees (optional but common): RM10,000–RM20,000 (~USD 2,130–4,255)

---

2. Employment Pass (EP)

Who it's for: Foreign professionals/skilled workers with a job offer from a Malaysian company.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Job offer with minimum monthly salary of RM5,000 (Category III), RM10,000 (Category II), or RM25,000+ (Category I)
• Relevant educational qualifications and work experience matching the job role
• Employer must be a registered Malaysian company with sufficient paid-up capital
• Contract duration: 1–5 years depending on category

Processing Time:

• Category I: 5–10 working days after approval-in-principle
• Category II/III: 15–20 working days

Cost:

• Application fee: RM125 (~USD 27)
• Processing fee: RM125 (~USD 27)
• Visa fee (varies by nationality): RM20–RM290 (~USD 4–62)
• Multiple entry visa fee (if applicable): RM100 (~USD 21)
• Total typically: RM500–RM1,000 (~USD 106–213), often covered by employer

---

3. Professional Visit Pass (PVP)

Who it's for: Foreign professionals providing short-term services to a Malaysian company (not directly employed locally), e.g., consultants, trainers.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Sponsorship by a Malaysian company
• Contract or service agreement demonstrating specific project/task
• Relevant professional qualifications
• Duration: up to 12 months, renewable

Processing Time: 2–4 weeks

Cost:

• Application fee: RM125 (~USD 27)
• Visa fee: RM20–RM290 depending on nationality (~USD 4–62)
• Total: approximately RM300–RM500 (~USD 64–106)

---

4. Residence Pass–Talent (RP-T)

Who it's for: Highly skilled expatriates who have worked in Malaysia for a significant period and wish to have more flexibility (can change employers without new visa).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum 3 consecutive years working in Malaysia under an Employment Pass
• Minimum monthly salary of RM15,000
• Relevant qualifications and skills in priority sectors (e.g., ICT, biotechnology, green tech)
• Sponsorship/support from current or previous employer

Processing Time: 3–6 months

Cost:

• Application fee: RM90 (~USD 19)
• Pass fee: RM1,000–RM2,000 for up to 10-year validity (~USD 213–426)

---

5. Dependent Pass

Who it's for: Spouses, children (under 18), and sometimes parents of Employment Pass, RP-T, or MM2H holders.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
• Sponsor must hold valid EP, RP-T, or MM2H pass
• Sponsor's income must meet minimum threshold (varies, often RM5,000+ for EP holders)

Processing Time: 2–4 weeks (processed alongside or after principal applicant's pass)

Cost:

• Application fee: RM90 (~USD 19)
• Pass fee: RM90–RM500 depending on duration and nationality (~USD 19–106)

---

6. Student Pass

Who it's for: Foreign nationals enrolled in accredited Malaysian educational institutions (universities, colleges, language schools).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Offer letter/admission from a Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)-accredited institution
• Proof of financial capability to support studies and stay
• Medical examination and insurance
• Valid passport with at least 18 months validity

Processing Time: 1–2 months (via EMGS – Education Malaysia Global Services)

Cost:

• EMGS processing fee: RM1,500–RM2,500 depending on nationality (~USD 319–532)
• Visa approval letter (VAL) fee: RM260–RM500 (~USD 55–106)
• Student pass fee: RM60–RM1,260 depending on nationality and duration (~USD 13–268)
• Total often: RM1,800–RM3,000 (~USD 383–638)

---

7. Spouse Visa (Long-Term Social Visit Pass for Spouses of Malaysians)

Who it's for: Foreign spouses married to Malaysian citizens.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Valid marriage certificate registered in Malaysia
• Malaysian spouse must sponsor and provide proof of income/ability to support
• Health screening and background check
• Marriage must generally be at least 6 months to 1 year old before applying (policy varies by state)

Processing Time: 1–3 months (initial), renewable annually

Cost:

• Application fee: RM90 (~USD 19)
• Pass fee: RM90–RM100 per year (~USD 19–21)
• Multiple-entry visa fee (if required): RM100 (~USD 21)

---

8. Investor Pass / Employment Pass for Business Owners

Who it's for: Foreign entrepreneurs establishing or investing in a Malaysian company (via Malaysian company incorporation, e.g., MDEC's MSC status or Labuan entities).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum paid-up capital: RM500,000 (varies by sector and whether 100% foreign-owned)
• Registered business with SSM (Companies Commission of Malaysia)
• Business plan and proof of investment/fund injection
• For tech startups: MSC Malaysia status may reduce capital requirements

Processing Time: 2–4 months (includes company registration and pass approval)

Cost:

• Company incorporation fees: RM1,000–RM5,000 (~USD 213–1,064)
• Employment Pass fees (as self-sponsored director): RM500–RM1,000 (~USD 106–213)
• Paid-up capital requirement: RM500,000+ (not a fee, but a capital commitment)

---

9. Labuan Visa (for Labuan Company Directors/Employees)

Who it's for: Foreign directors or employees of companies incorporated in Labuan (Malaysia's offshore financial hub).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Company must be registered with Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA)
• Director/employee role clearly defined in the Labuan entity
• Minimum salary requirements may apply
• Valid employment or directorship contract

Processing Time: 4–8 weeks

Cost:

• Application fee: RM200–RM500 (~USD 43–106)
• Visa/pass fee: RM500–RM1,000 (~USD 106–213)
• Additional company-related fees for Labuan entity setup: RM3,000–RM10,000 (~USD 638–2,128)

---

10. Permanent Resident (PR) Status

Who it's for: Long-term foreign residents seeking indefinite residency (extremely limited and discretionary; typically for those married to Malaysians for 10+ years, high-net-worth individuals under special programs, or those with exceptional contributions).

Key Eligibility Requirements:

• Continuous legal residency in Malaysia (often 5–10+ years depending on category)
• For spouses: marriage to Malaysian citizen for at least 10 years with continued cohabitation
• Good conduct, financial stability, and in some cases, points-based assessment (education, skills, investment)
• Approval is highly discretionary and rare; no guaranteed timeline

Processing Time: 1–3+ years (highly variable, no fixed timeline; can take much longer)

Cost:

• Application fee: RM90 (~USD 19)
• Processing fee: varies, often RM500+ (~USD 106+)
• Note: many PR applications remain in review for years with no guaranteed outcome

---

Important Notes:

• Fee variability: Visa fees for Malaysian passes often vary significantly by the applicant's nationality due to reciprocal visa fee arrangements between Malaysia and other countries.
• Agent fees: Many applicants use immigration agents/consultants, adding RM3,000–RM20,000+ depending on visa complexity—this is separate from official government fees.
• MM2H changes: The MM2H program underwent significant revisions in 2024, substantially raising financial thresholds compared to pre-2021 requirements; always check the latest tier structure.
• Currency fluctuation: MYR/USD exchange rates fluctuate; recalculate using current rates for precise budgeting.
• Official verification: Always cross-check with:
• Malaysian Immigration Department (imi.gov.my)
• Malaysia My Second Home official portal (mm2h.gov.my)
• Expatriate Services Division (ESD) for Employment Passes
• Nearest Malaysian embassy/consulate for country-specific visa fee schedules

More about immigrating to Malaysia