The Malaysian government has announced the details of their visa liberalization plan to attract foreign tourists and generate additional revenue.

Key Points:

  • As previously reported, officials recently announced a new policy granting visa-free entry for Chinese and Indian nationals for stays of up to 30 days as part of the liberalization effort.
  • Additionally, efforts to improve existing immigration facilities have begun with key updates including:
    • Creating a 30-day multiple-entry visa for nationals of Brunei, Singapore and Thailand, easing entry and exit capabilities.
    • Introducing a long-term graduate social visit pass for international students from 23 countries who have completed their bachelor’s or graduate degree at an institution of higher learning in Malaysia.
    • Improving the long-term graduate social visit pass, valid for 12 months and multiple entries, by including 23 additional eligible countries.
    • For countries that require a visa for entry, the validity period for all multiple-entry visas will be extended to six months until Dec. 31, 2026.

Additional Information: Additionally, the Malaysian government has announced that all foreign nationals need to obtain a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card prior to arrival. Individuals must apply online at least three days prior to arrival. Those transiting through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance as well as permanent residents and automated clearance system holders are exempt. For additional information on Malaysia’s entry requirements, please visit the official travel site.

BAL Analysis: The Malaysian government hopes these initiatives will strengthen key industries and attract greater investment and tourism from the Asian region. The plan represents a big policy shift to benefit travelers by easing entry requirements and employers by providing greater access to foreign talent.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Malaysian government has reminded employers registered on the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) online portal to submit their Employment Pass (EP) and Professional Visit Pass (PVP) quota projections for 2024.

Key Points:

  • Employers can now submit their 2024 EP and PVP quota projections through the ESD online portal.
  • To submit 2024 projections, companies must log in through this website and follow the guided prompts.
  • Unused projections approved for 2023 will not be carried into 2024.
  • Malaysian authorities will process projection requests within five to 10 working days after the application is received.

Additional Information: More information regarding the projections application process is available here. The current processing timeline normally takes within one working day to process the projection application from submission date. This timeline may be impacted by the volume of applications processed and reviewed by the approval panel.

BAL Analysis: Companies should plan to submit their projections as soon as possible to avoid possible delays.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a new policy now granting visa-free entry for Chinese and Indian nationals for stays of up to 30 days.

Key Points:

  • Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry clarified that the visa exemption for Chinese and Indian nationals will be effective until Dec. 31, 2024.
  • Malaysia recorded a total of 782,425 tourist arrivals from China and India from January through June of this year, according to government data.

BAL Analysis: Other neighboring countries are taking similar measures, as China recently announced visa-free entry for Malaysian nationals and five European countries. The new policy is part of a wider Malaysian policy to boost tourism, and the government intends to provide further visa liberalization in the future. BAL will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Immigration authorities announced they have reinstated the issuance of i-KAD cards for Employment Pass holders, effective Oct. 24.

Key Points:

  • The Expatriate Services Division is now issuing i-KAD cards for Employment Pass holders, as well as Resident Pass holders and their dependents under the talent category.
  • Applicants whose endorsement payments were made before Oct. 24 are not eligible to obtain an i-KAD card at this time.

BAL Analysis: The i-KAD card serves as an official identification document alternative to a valid passport, and the reinstatement is welcome news as it provides additional convenience to foreign nationals traveling in Malaysia. Foreign nationals should still always carry their original passports for travel and identification purposes.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government announced that it will introduce a new online platform for Employment Pass applicants.

Key Points:

  • Beginning June 15, employers under the Expatriate Services Division authority will be able to apply for support letters in one centralized location through Xpats Gateway.
  • Previously, employers who needed support letters were required to apply through designated approving agencies.
  • Employers can continue to obtain their support letters directly from their designated approving agencies until the full implementation of Xpats Gateway on Aug. 15.

Additional Information: More information regarding the implementation of Xpats Gateway is available here.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian authorities are introducing Xpats Gateway to simplify the process for obtaining support letters for EP applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government has announced that employers registered in the Expatriate Services Division need to update their business profile to continue to use the portal.

Key Points:

  • Companies registered in ESD online must update their business profile and purchase the latest e-SSM by May 31. To complete this process, companies must:
    • Log into their ESD account and click on the “Company” tab.
    • Select their respective “Primary Sector/Industry” from the drop-down list.
    • Select their respective “Approving Agency/Regulatory Body” from the drop-down list (if applicable).
    • Select “YES” if their primary office is located outside of Malaysia or “NO” if their primary office is located in Malaysia.
    • Provide their primary office address if they answered “YES” to the previous item.
    • Click on “CONFIRM SAVE” to keep the changes.
  • Companies should contact this email if they have questions regarding the steps outlined above. More information is available here.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian authorities are requiring companies to update their business profile and purchase the latest e-SSM to improve the quality of their online services. Companies should ensure they update their information by the May 31 deadline.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government has introduced an online option for submitting Certificates of Good Conduct (SKBs).

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals can now submit their SKBs online through this website.
  • Beginning Sept. 1, foreign nationals must submit SKB payments online through a cashless payment system.
  • Most foreign nationals are required to submit SKBs as a prerequisite for applying for study, work and residence permits.
  • More information regarding the process for submitting SKBs online is available here.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian authorities introduced an online option to submit SKBs to streamline the application process for those applying for study, work and residence permits. Foreign nationals will benefit from reduced processing times for verifying SKBs.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government announced that it will automatically approve foreign national projection applications.

Key Points:

  • As of April 1, projection applications will be automatically approved after employers submit requirements online through the Expatriate Services Division.
  • Employers can resubmit projection applications that were submitted before April 1 that have not yet been adjudicated to receive automatic approval.
  • Employers will now be able to submit Employment Pass and Professional Visit Pass applications directly after receiving automatic projection approvals.

Additional Information: Employers are reminded they must complete all mandatory fields, including the justification for the projection and the number of local staff and foreign workers, to receive automatic projection approval.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian authorities introduced automatic projection application approval to streamline the application process for employers hiring foreign nationals on EP and PVP permits. Employers will benefit from reduced processing and application times for projection applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government has expanded its endorsement services offered at the Expatriate Services Division Satellite Center.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals submitting applications for the Employment Pass Category III or Professional Visit Pass can now complete the endorsement process at the ESD Satellite Center in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
  • Previously, those applying for the Employment Pass Category III or Professional Visit Pass had to complete the endorsement process through the Delivery of Pass method.
  • More information regarding the endorsement process at the ESD Satellite Center is available here.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian authorities expanded the endorsement process to Employment Pass Category III and Professional Visit Pass holders to reduce processing delays for those entering the country through Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government recently opened online applications for multiple-entry visas.

Key Points:

  • Individuals can submit applications through the MYVISA portal to enter the country for business purposes, tourism and a few other reasons. To apply individuals must:
    • Show proof of sufficient funds for staying in the country.
    • Possess a valid and confirmed return ticket.
    • Not be a part of a tour group.
    • Pay applicable fees if they are an Indian or Chinese national.
  • More information regarding the e-visa multiple-entry visa application process is available here.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals cannot submit applications for Employment Passes, Professional Visit Passes or Dependent Passes on the MYVISA portal.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals can now apply for the multiple-entry visa for Malaysia. Travelers are reminded that they are permitted to conduct business activities while in the country on the multiple-entry visa.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.