Malaysia · Permanent residence

Residence Pass

Residence Pass is issued by Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (Immigration Department of Malaysia). VisaAI tracks 20 official requirements for it, each traced to the government page that states it.

Last verified against the official source on .

VisaAI is not a government body and does not issue visas. It cannot decide, predict or guarantee the outcome of an application, and this page is not legal or immigration advice.

Requirements change. Confirm every item on Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (Immigration Department of Malaysia)’s own page before you apply.

Each requirement below is written in plain English by VisaAI. The indented text beneath it is quoted from Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (Immigration Department of Malaysia)’s own page, so you can check what we say against what they say. Where a quotation shows “ ... ”, text has been left out.

Conditions you must meet

  • The pass exists under Regulation 16A of the Immigration Regulations 1963The Department frames eligibility as falling within a category specified by that regulation, rather than as a discretionary scheme.
    Residence Pass is a pass issued to any foreign national who falls under any category specified under Regulation 16A, Immigration Regulations 1963.
  • Category 3: family of a Malaysian citizenA husband or wife; a biological, step or adopted child aged 18 and under; a divorcee, widow or widower of a citizen with a biological child who is a Malaysian citizen; a biological mother or father of a citizen; and a mother- or father-in-law of a citizen who already holds a valid pass.
    A person with family ties with a Malaysian citizen (Category 3)
  • Category 4: family of a Malaysian permanent residentNarrower than Category 3 — a husband or wife, and a biological child aged 18 and under. No parents, no step or adopted children, no divorcee route.
    A person with family ties with a Permanent Resident of Malaysia (Category 4)
  • Category 5: former MalaysiansCovers a citizen who voluntarily renounced their citizenship and one who was deprived of it — the Department lists both, and does not distinguish between them for eligibility.
    Ex-Malaysians (Category 5)
  • A travel document valid for at least six months
    The applicant must have a valid travel document or passport with a validity of at least six (6) months;
  • You must already be living in Malaysia on a valid long-term passThis is not a route in from abroad. The qualifying years are counted on that pass.
    The applicant has been staying in Malaysia on a valid long term pass;
  • Category 3: three years' residence on a valid long-term passFamily of a Malaysian citizen. Compare Category 4 below — the same relationship to a permanent resident costs two more years.
    For Category 3, the applicant has resided in Malaysia for at least three (3) years on a valid long term pass;
  • Category 4: five years' residence on a valid long-term passFamily of a permanent resident. Two years longer than Category 3 for the same relationship, decided entirely by the sponsor's own status.
    For Category 4, the applicant has resided in Malaysia for at least five (5) years on a valid long term pass;
  • A Malaysian sponsor aged 21 or over
    The application must be sponsored by a Malaysian aged 21 years and above;
  • In Sabah and Sarawak the sponsor must be of Sabah or Sarawak originNot a documentary variation — a different sponsor. A Malaysian citizen from elsewhere cannot sponsor an application made in either state, which administer their own immigration under the Malaysia Agreement.
    Applications in West Malaysia must be sponsored by a Malaysia citizen; ... Applications in Sabah and Sarawak must be sponsored by a Malaysian citizen of Sabah or Sarawak origin;
  • The divorcee, widow or widower route needs a court custody orderFull or joint custody of the biological child, granted by the relevant court of law. Category 3(iii) does not work on the relationship alone.
    For Category 3(iii), divorcee / widow / widower to a Malaysian citizen who has been granted a full or joint custody of the biological child by the relevant court of law;
  • The pass itself lets you work, study and start a businessNo conversion to another pass, subject to the conditions of the relevant regulators. Malaysia's Long-Term Social Visit Pass permits work by endorsement; this permits all three outright.
    Residence Pass holders are eligible to work, study, and setting up a business without having to convert to another pass, subject to the conditions of other relevant authorities.

Official forms

  • Form IMM 16A (IMM 16A)Named for the regulation the pass is issued under.
    Form IMM 16a.

Documents you must provide

  • Foreign-issued photocopies must be certified by that country's mission in MalaysiaCertification by the issuing country's own mission in Malaysia — not a local notary, and not the Malaysian mission abroad.
    All photocopied documents issued by a foreign country MUST be certified by the corresponding foreign missions in Malaysia;
  • Two passport-sized photographs
    Passport size photo (2 copies).
  • Photocopies of your passport, new and oldBoth — the Department asks for the expired one as well as the current.
    Photocopy of applicant’s passport (new and old).
  • Category 5 must bring originals as well as photocopiesStated only for former Malaysians.
    Applications for Category 5 must be submitted with original copies and photocopies of supporting documents to the nearest Immigration office or the Immigration Headquarters, Putrajaya;

Steps in the process

  • Both you and your sponsor must attend the immigration office in personThe sponsor cannot send documents; they must be there when the documents are submitted.
    Both sponsor and applicant MUST be present during submission of documents at the Immigration office;
  • Where to apply depends on your categoryCategories 3 and 4 may go to the nearest immigration office or to headquarters in Putrajaya. Category 5 must be submitted with originals AND photocopies.
    For Category 3 and Category 4, application may be submitted to the nearest Immigration office or the Immigration Headquarters, Putrajaya;

Government fees

  • RM 500 for five yearsMYR 500 · MYR 5 validity yearsThe Department's own figure. A multiple entry visa is charged separately at rates that vary by country.
    Residence Pass RM 500.00 for five years.

Official sources

  • Residence Pass — Requirements, Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (Immigration Department of Malaysia)

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