Malaysia Resident Visa Application & Requirements For Indians

If you wish to stay in Malaysia for an extended period, a Malaysia Resident Visa may be the perfect solution for you. In this blog post, we will discuss the eligibility requirements, necessary documents, the application process, and why you should choose Atlys for your Malaysia Resident Visa.

What Is A Malaysia Resident Visa?

A Malaysia Resident Visa is a type of visa that offers residency in Malaysia and allows foreign nationals to live and work in Malaysia for an extended period. It's typically issued to those who have a job offer in Malaysia or plan to start a business there.

If you wish to go to Malaysia for a shorter business or work period, then you can just apply for a Malaysia business visa or a Malaysia work visa.

The Malaysian Immigration Department issues the visa and is subject to certain eligibility requirements and conditions.

What Are The Different Residence Pass Categories?

There are 3 main types of Residence Pass categories:

A person with family ties with Malaysian citizens (Category 3):

Husband or wife of a citizen.

Biological child, step-child, or adopted child to a citizen aged 18 and below.

Divorcee, widow, or widower to citizens with a biological child who is a Malaysian citizen

Biological mother or father to Malaysian citizens.

Mother or father-in-law to a Malaysian citizen holding a valid pass in Malaysia.

A person with family ties with a Permanent Resident of Malaysia (Category 4):

Biological child to a Permanent Resident aged 18 and below.

Husband or wife to a Permanent Resident.

Ex-Malaysians (Category 5):

A Malaysian citizen who has voluntarily renounced their citizenship.

A Malaysian citizen who has been deprived of citizenship.

Eligibility for Malaysia Resident Visa

The eligibility criteria differ depending on which Residence Pass category you are in:

You must have a valid travel document or passport with a validity of at least six (6) months;

You have been staying in Malaysia on a valid long-term pass.

For Category 3, you must have resided in Malaysia for at least three (3) years on a valid long-term pass.

For Category 4, you must have resided in Malaysia for at least five (5) years on a valid long-term pass;

You must be sponsored by a Malaysian aged 21 years and above.

For further information on the eligibility requirements, you can check out the Immigration Department Of Malaysia website.

Documents Required for Malaysia Resident Visa

The documents you require once again depend on which category you're in:

Category 3: A Person With Family Ties With A Malaysia Citizen

Husband or wife of a citizen:

A completed form IMM 16a.

Photocopy of your passport.

Passport-size photo with the correct requirements (2 copies).

Photocopy of your husband or wife's identity card.

Photocopy of the Malaysian sponsor’s identity card (2 copies).

Photocopy of the marriage certificate of applicants.

Photocopy of birth certificate and identity card of biological children (if any).

Biological child, step-child, or adopted child to a citizen aged 18 and below:

A completed form IMM 16a.

Photocopy of your passport.

Passport-size photo (2 copies).

Photocopy of the Malaysian sponsor identity card (2 copies).

Photocopy of identification documents of parents, step-parents, or adopted parents.

Photocopy of birth certificate, adoption certificate, or court order.

Photocopy of the marriage certificate of parents, step-parents, or adopted parents.

Divorcee, widow, or widower to citizens with a biological child who is a Malaysian citizen:

Form IMM 16a.

Photocopy of your passport (new and old).

Passport-size photo (2 copies).

Photocopy of the sponsor’s identity card (2 copies).

Photocopy of birth certificate and identity card of the biological children.

Photocopy of Court Order by the relevant court of law determining the biological child's custody.

Statutory declaration of non-married.

Photocopy of the marriage certificate of the applicants.

Photocopy of divorce certificate or death certificate of husband or wife.

Biological mother or father to a Malaysian citizen:

A completed form IMM 16a.

Photocopy of your passport (new and old).

Passport-size photo (2 copies).

Photocopy of husband’s or wife’s identity card.

Photocopy of the sponsor’s identity card (2 copies).

Photocopy of the marriage certificate of applicants.

Photocopy of biological children's birth certificate and identity card (if any).

Mother or father-in-law to a Malaysian citizen who holds a valid pass in Malaysia:

Form IMM 16a.

Photocopy of applicant’s passport (new and old).

Passport-size photo (2 copies).

Photocopy of the sponsor’s identity card (2 copies).

Photocopy of the birth certificate of the biological children.

Photocopy of the marriage certificate of the applicants.

Photocopy of the marriage certificate of biological children.

Category 4: A Person With Family Ties With A Permanent Resident Of Malaysia

Biological child to a Permanent Resident aged 18 and below:

Form IMM 16a.

Photocopy of applicant’s passport.

Passport-size photo (2 copies).

Photocopy of the birth certificate of the applicants.

Photocopy of the marriage certificate of parents.

Photocopy of identity card (MyPR) of parents.

Photocopy of the Entry Permit of parents.

Photocopy of parent’s passport.

Photocopy of the sponsor’s identity card (2 copies).

Husband or wife to a Permanent Resident:

Form IMM 16a.

Photocopy of your passport (new and old).

Passport-size photo (2 copies).

Photocopy of the marriage certificate of applicants.

Photocopy of identity card (MyPR) of husband or wife.

Photocopy of Entry Permit of husband or wife.

Photocopy of the birth certificate of the children (if any).

Photocopy of the sponsor’s identity card (2 copies).

Category 5: Ex-Malaysians

A Malaysian citizen who has voluntarily renounced their citizenship:

A completed form IMM 16a.

Photocopy of applicant’s passport (new and old).

Passport-size photo (2 copies).

Photocopy of the birth certificate of the applicants.

Photocopy of Declaration of Renunciation of Malaysian Citizenship (Form Y/K).

Photocopy of the sponsor’s identity card (2 copies).

A Malaysian citizen who has been deprived of citizenship:

Form IMM 16a.

Photocopy of applicant’s passport (new and old).

Passport-size photo (2 copies).

Photocopy of the birth certificate of the applicants.

Photocopy of Order of Forfeiture of Malaysian Citizenship.

Photocopy of the sponsor’s identity card (2 copies).

How To Apply For A Malaysia Resident Visa

For Category 3 and Category 4, an application may be submitted to the nearest Immigration office, the Immigration Headquarters, Putrajaya, or online via the Malaysian Immigration website.

Please note that this website is really outdated, and you need a translation extension to understand the application form. I struggled a lot to apply online. My recommendation would be to rather apply in person.

To apply for a Malaysia Visa, follow these steps:

Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility

Before applying for a Resident Visa to Malaysia, make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria. This includes being a foreign national, having a valid passport, no criminal record, enough funds to support yourself, and a clean medical record.

Step 2: Gather the Required Documents

To apply for a Resident Visa for Malaysia, you need to gather the required documents mentioned earlier in this post. Ensure you have everything because if you forget one document, your visa will be rejected.

Step 3: Fill Out the Application Form

Download the Malaysia Resident Visa application form from the official website of the Malaysia Immigration Department. Fill out the form with accurate information.

Step 4: Schedule an Appointment

After filling out the application form, schedule an appointment with the nearest Malaysian Immigration office. You can find their contact details on their official website.

Step 5: Attend the Appointment

On the day of your appointment, bring all the necessary documents and submit them. You will also need to pay the Resident Visa fee at this time.

I will discuss the visa fee later in this post.

Step 6: Wait for Processing

After submitting your application, wait for the Malaysia Immigration Department to process your Resident Visa. The Malaysia visa processing time can vary depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay.

Step 7: Receive Your Resident Visa

Once your Resident Visa is approved, the Malaysia Immigration Department will issue it to you. You will receive your visa by mail or can pick it up in person from the embassy or consulate.

That's it!

Overview Of The Malaysia Resident Visa

This section covers everything you need and wants to know about the Malaysian Resident visa for Indians. Let's jump right in!

What Are The Malaysia Resident Visa Fees?

The visa fee is a minimum balance of RM 500 (approximately INR 9180) for a five-year Resident visa. This visa fee is non-refundable.

How Long Does It Take To Process A Malaysia Resident Visa?

 On average, it can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks for a Malaysia Resident Visa to be processed. The processing time for a Malaysia Resident Visa can vary, depending on factors such as the application volume and the documentation's completeness.

It's advisable to apply well before your planned travel date to allow sufficient time for processing.

How Long Can I Stay In Malaysia With A Resident Visa?

The Residence Pass is valid for 5 years and allows you to work, study, and open a business in Malaysia without having to apply for a work/study permit.

Malaysia Sort-Term Visas

Want to visit Malaysia for a shorter period? Here are some short-term visas:

Transit visa for Malaysia: The transit visa is used for travellers that use Malaysia airports as a layover.

ENTRI visa to Malaysia: This is Malaysia's shortest visa, allowing eligible travellers a 15-day stay in Malaysia.

E-Visa to Malaysia: The e-visa is a convenient way for travellers to obtain a visa without visiting an embassy.

Malaysia on-arrival visa: For Indian and Chinese travellers, this visa can be obtained when arriving in Malaysia.

That's It!

Now you know all you need to know about getting residency in Malaysia. Whether you want to pursue a career, start a business, or retire in Malaysia, the resident visa offers a pathway to long-term residency and various benefits.

Wang to learn more about Malaysia? Check out our Malaysia blogs!

This blog has been written with AI assistance; however, all the information in this blog post has been verified and gathered from reliable sources, such as:

The Immigration Department Of Malaysia.

High Commission Of Malaysia, New Delhi.