MalaysiaResidence

Malaysia permanent residence: the Entry Permit

Entry Permit (permanent residence)

In short

Permanent residence in Malaysia is granted through an Entry Permit, which lets a foreign national enter and live in Malaysia without a time limit and leads to the MyPR identity card. Applications fall into four categories: wife or husband of a citizen, child under 18 of a citizen, and fully foreign nationals. Approval is discretionary and can be revoked if conditions are breached.

checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
No time limit.
Validity
Permanent, but revocable if conditions are violated.
Work
Yes.
Family
Spouses and children under six of approved experts and investors may be considered.
Where to apply
In Malaysia, to the Immigration Department; appeals to the Minister of Home Affairs.

Categories

The Immigration Department lists four categories of application: wife of a Malaysian citizen, husband of a Malaysian citizen, child under 18 of a Malaysian citizen, and fully foreign national. The Ministry of Home Affairs explains that persons who may be considered include people with qualifications and professional expertise that contribute to national development, people certified by the Minister as benefiting the economy, their spouses and children under six, legal spouses of citizens who have lived in Malaysia continuously for five years or more on long-term passes, children under six of citizens, and compassionate cases.

Fully foreign nationals

For fully foreign nationals, the Ministry's appeal checklist refers to a points-based system with specialist, professional and investor categories. Specialists and professionals provide certificates, an employer support letter and a certificate of expertise from the relevant agency; investors provide a Companies Commission (SSM) statement. The Immigration Department publishes a separate Entry Permit guideline e-book with the detailed criteria.

Applying

Applications are made to the Immigration Department of Malaysia while living in Malaysia on a long-term pass. Common routes start with an Employment Pass, an RP-T or, for spouses, the Long Term Social Visit Pass and the Residence Pass. The official terms of MM2H and DE Rantau do not describe either programme as leading to permanent residence.

  1. Build lawful long-term residence in Malaysia on a qualifying pass.
  2. Download the Immigration Department Entry Permit guideline and identify your category.
  3. Prepare the documents and the sponsor where required.
  4. Submit the application to the Immigration Department.
  5. If refused, petition the Minister of Home Affairs within 30 days.

Appeals

If the application is rejected, the applicant personally petitions the Minister of Home Affairs within 30 days of the rejection letter. Spouse and child appeals include the appeal letter, the rejection letter, photos of applicant and sponsor on a blue background, marriage and family documents and passport copies since entry; points-based appeals add qualification, expertise or SSM documents and a CV.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Photos of applicant and sponsor on a blue background

Travel

  • Copies of passports used since entry into Malaysia

Family

  • Marriage certificate and identity documents of the citizen spouse and children (family categories)

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Money

  • Companies Commission (SSM) statement (investors)

Work

  • Academic certificates, employer support letter and certificate of expertise (specialists and professionals)

Frequently asked questions

Does MM2H lead to permanent residence in Malaysia?

The MM2H terms published by MOTAC do not mention permanent residence; the pass is renewed every five years after the maximum period.

Can the spouse of a Malaysian get PR?

Legal spouses who have lived in Malaysia continuously for five years or more on long-term passes are among those who may be considered.

How long do I have to appeal a PR refusal?

30 days from the date of the rejection letter, by petition to the Minister of Home Affairs.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Malaysia

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Set by the immigration officer at entry; the usual period depends on nationality.
  • Transit visa Processing time: Set by the Malaysian mission where you apply; apply at least three working days before the flight.

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Social visit pass: as stamped at entry. MEV: 30 days per entry.
  • Entrepreneur and start-up visa Maximum stay: New: 1 year plus 1 renewal. Established: up to 5 years plus one 5-year renewal.
  • Investor visa Maximum stay: Six months, with a possible six-month extension.

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Pass duration follows the course, renewed as needed.

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: Each pass up to 60 months, following the employment contract; total tenure up to 10 years (Categories I and II) or 5 years (Category III).
  • Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months per issuance; training at a factory or hotel up to six months.
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Approved for 10 years; the ePASS is first issued for five years or the passport validity, then renewed to complete 10 years.
  • Digital nomad visa Maximum stay: 3 to 12 months, renewable for 12 more months; 24 months in total.

Family

  • Family reunification visa Validity: Follows the principal's Employment Pass, or the dependant's passport if shorter; LT-SVP approvals are for up to 12 months at a time.
  • Spouse and partner visa Validity: LTSVP for at least six months and up to five years, subject to approval.

Residence

Online travel permits

Protection

Malaysia visa guide