Malaysia's Immigration Department Defines Residence Pass Criteria

Malaysia's Immigration Department has announced the eligibility criteria for a Residence Pass under Regulation 16A of the Immigration Regulations 1963. The Residence Pass is a long-term pass for foreign nationals meeting specific criteria.

There are three categories of eligible applicants: 1) Foreigners with ties to Malaysian citizens, including spouses, children aged 18 and below, divorced or widowed individuals with a Malaysian child, biological parents, and parents-in-law of Malaysian citizens who hold a valid pass. 2) Foreigners with family ties to Malaysian Permanent Residents, which includes biological children aged 18 and below and spouses of Permanent Residents. 3) Ex-Malaysians, referring to individuals who were once Malaysian citizens but no longer hold that status, including those who voluntarily renounced their citizenship or were deprived of it. This framework is part of the services provided by the Immigration Department for long-term passes available to foreign nationals.