Malaysia Permanent Residence PR (Permit Masuk) - Immigration Interview for Spouse

As I described in my last post, after 5 years of continuously living in Malaysia under a LTSVP (Spouse visa) the foreign husband/wife is allowed to apply for PR (Permit Masuk).

I applied in 2022.  See that post here:
https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2022/11/malaysia-permanent-residence-permit.html

Approximately 4 months after I submitted my application I had my interview with Immigration. This is my experience of the interview process and questions.

Arrange and attend Immigration Interview
I was advised to arrange the interview for about 4 months after submitting my application. Go to https://www.imi.gov.my/ and choose Sistem Temujanji Online (STO) option. Make appointment for [Visa] Permit Masuk. You may only be able to arrange an appointment date for 3 months time.

Once you have done this print out the appointment email and bring with you to show to Immigration on the date of your appointment.

On the day of your interview bring the original documents that were submitted as part of your application (current & old passports/IC/wedding certificate/birth certificate/ sponsor’s payslips & employment letter/utility bill/bond receipt etc) plus the confirmation letter given to you when you submitted your documents, as some of these will be checked.

The officer who interviewed us was polite and professional. The interview was in Bahasa Malaysia (BM) so it's very important that you can speak basic BM. I had previously taken BM classes and I used the Ling Language App to refresh my knowledge.

I recommend using the Ling language app, as it is one of the few apps that includes BM. It is good value, especially when compared to the cost of going to language classes. If you decide to sign up for the Ling language app please consider using this affiliate link which will earn me a small commission: https://ling-app.com/ling-affilate/?referrer=8649 . Using my link won't cost you anything extra, and you will be helping to support this blog!

I also prepared and revised the type of questions that would be asked. Both I and my wife were asked questions about our relationship, and I was also asked general knowledge questions about Malaysia, so make sure you prepare properly.

See my post here with tips on how to improve your BM for your interview:

https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2023/04/malaysia-permanent-residence-pr-permit_20.html

I was asked the following questions:

Can you speak BM?
When was your first LTSVP issued?
When did you first come to Malaysia and what was your reason for visiting?
How and when did you and your wife meet?
What are your occupations?
Who is the Prime Minister?
What is the national flower?
What are the colours of the Malaysian flag?
Recite Rukun Negara
Sing Negaraku
There is a specific space on the checklist the officer fills out to confirm you know Rukun Negara and Negaraku so you must learn them!

More things you might want to learn (from my research online other people have been asked these questions at their immigration interviews):
What date was Hari Merdeka?
What date was Hari Malaysia?
How many states and federal territories are there and what are they?
Who are some other cabinet ministers?
Who is the king?
What is the Malaysian flag called?
How many stripes and what other symbols are on the flag?
What colour is the Malaysia National Flower?
Who was the first Prime Minister?
Can you name all of the previous Prime Ministers?
Who is the Deputy Prime Minister?

Note that dress rules may be enforced e.g. no shorts/t-shirts/ slippers /short skirts. You may be turned away if you are not dressed correctly.

The Immigration Officer confirmed that he was happy with our application and interview and said that the next stage is the police interview which should take place within the next 6 months to 1 year.

I am currently waiting to hear from the Police for an interview date. I will write a new blog entry once that interview has taken place.

If you have found this information useful, please say thanks by buying me a coffee by clicking on this link:

Thanks!

Malaysia Permanent Residence PR (Permit Masuk) - Application Process for Spouse

After 5 years of continuously living in Malaysia under a LTSVP (Spouse visa) the foreign husband/wife is allowed to apply for PR (Permit Masuk).

There are lots of negative comments on forums saying that getting PR is ‘impossible’ or ‘will take 25 years’! Despite this many people successfully obtain PR so I decided to apply. The only way of being 100% sure of not getting PR is by not applying for it!

I could have applied for PR in 2020, but as Covid made access to immigration complicated I delayed submitting my application until 2022. So far I have submitted my application and had the interview with the Immigration Officer.

I am currently waiting to hear from the Police for an interview with them. In this post I cover the application process (see my next post for details of my interview with Immigration https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2022/11/malaysia-permanent-residence-pr-permit.html)

The application process (I applied in KL, the process may be different at other state offices):

Complete all forms and gather all information/documents requested
1) Collect original forms and checklist from Immigration:
Get these from the Permit Masuk counter; I got mine from Jalan Duta (KL). Other people have reported that Immigration may ask you some questions in Bahasa Malaysia before letting you have the forms.

2) Make appointment to submit your application:
You may only be able to arrange an appointment date for 3 months time
Go to https://www.imi.gov.my/ and choose Sistem Temujanji Online (STO) option. Make appointment for [Visa] Permit Masuk. Once you have an appointment print out the confirmation letter and bring with you to show to Immigration on the date of your appointment.

3) Complete all forms and covering letter and gather all information/documents requested:
This includes recent passport photos (blue background), statutory declaration (witnessed by Commissioner for Oaths), sponsor’s payslips and employment letter etc. Fill in the forms in BM. Allow plenty of time to do this as a lot of information is required.

You will need to get your birth certificate verified by your embassy. Embassies of certain countries will not do this and so you will need a letter from them confirming this and then get your birth certificate notarised by a Notary Public. I am from UK and the British High Commission will not notarise documents but provides a letter confirming this on their website:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-malaysia

I then had a copy of my birth certificate notarised by a Notary Public for RM75. I used Donny Wong & Co in Solaris Dutamas (Publika) who was very helpful.

Submit Application at Immigration
Attend your appointment at Immigration to submit your application:

Bring the print out of your appointment email plus all original documents and copies requested.

Before I was allowed to submit my application the officer spoke to me in Bahasa Malaysia to ask ‘Who is the Prime Minister?’ and advised me that I will need to speak BM in the interview. They want to make sure you are actually invested in living in Malaysia, so it is a good idea to learn general knowledge about Malaysia even at this stage.

Note that dress rules may be enforced e.g. no shorts/t-shirts/ slippers /short skirts. You may be turned away if you are not dressed correctly.

Once your application has been accepted you will be given a confirmation letter which you must keep safely and bring to the immigration and police interviews

The officer then asked me to make an appointment for an interview in about 4 months time (see my next post for this)

If you have found this information useful, please say thanks by buying me a coffee by clicking on this link:

Thanks!