Update on STO appointments for Immigration

**UPDATE 2**

Kuala Lumpur Immigration also announced they would go back to using the STO system, with effect from 20th June 2024. So both Selangor and KL now require applicants to make an STO appointment.

**UPDATE 1** 

Shortly after the announcement below, Selangor Immigration announced that they would go back to using the STO system with effect from 10th June 2024, so depending where you are based you may still need to use it.

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It was announced on 31st May 2024 that the STO appointment system would no longer operate from 1st June. Instead immigration will accept walk-ins and there is a 'no wrong door policy'.

Those people who are renewing their LTSVP should still do so online, but instead of making an appointment to collect the pass, they can now walk-in.

Personally, I found the STO system very good; it meant that you had to be organised to make your appointment well in advance (they were often booked up 3 months ahead), but I thought it was better than having to queue up from early morning.

Hopefully reverting to a walk-in system will go smoothly.

Transferring Spouse Pass (LTSVP) to a new passport

I recently replaced my passport. Once I had received it I decided to transfer my LTSVP to the new passport at Jalan Duta (KL).

Some people suggest that you can leave it until you renew your LTSVP and have the new pass put directly into the new passport, but there are 2 potential issues with this:

1) You will not be able to renew your LTSVP online and will have to try to get an appointment to apply for renewal in person. Getting an appointment for renewals can be difficult.

2) If you intend to travel then the pass must be in your passport (you may also need the pass in your passport if you are ever stopped by immigration)

In advance of submitting my request I went to Jalan Duta to ask about the process and was told that I needed an STO appointment, my Malaysian spouse to be present and to complete Surat Akuan, Imm55 & Im38. Therefore I had a Surat Akuan attested at a Commissioner For Oaths (cost RM30) and completed the other forms.

But when I returned on my STO appointment date with these forms I was told that they weren’t needed. Instead the correct process is:

a) Make STO appointment, choose the correct office, the ‘Kupitan Passport' option and your preferred time and date https://sto.imi.gov.my/STO/home.php 

b) Complete the IM12 form (and attach passport photo) and bring it to your appointment. You can get IM12 from Immigration or download it online

c) Bring originals and copies of the following to your appointment:

i) Old and new passports (copy of bio pages only)

ii) Marriage certificate

iii) Spouse IC (copy of both sides)

iv) Current LTSVP

It took 2.5 hours from taking a number to collecting the passports, but I was not charged a fee for transferring the LTSVP.

My new passport has now been registered on the Immigration system so I can use it for renewal of LTSVP, and I can also use it at the e-Gates when travelling through KLIA1 and KLIA2.

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Malaysia Permanent Residence PR (Permit Masuk) - Learning Bahasa Malaysia (BM/Malay) for PR Interviews

 
Applicants for PR are expected to be able to speak Bahasa Malaysia (BM) in the interviews with immigration and the police. 
 
Although I had taken BM classes a few years ago, I had not spoken it much since. However, I prepared and revised a lot and was able to get through both interviews (with the help of my wife!)
 
These are my tips and advice for learning BM and preparing for the interviews:
 
1) Take BM lessons

If you don’t speak any BM then I suggest you consider taking lessons. I had previously attended lessons once a week for 3 months, and although I had not used it much in the years since, some of it was lodged at the back of my brain so that I could still understand a lot of Malay words (but I had little confidence in speaking it!).
 
2) Use the Ling language learning app

I signed up for the Ling app because it has Bahasa Malaysia as one of its available languages. Most apps do not include BM, so this is a great, easy to use and fun app you can use anywhere to practice speaking and listening to BM. It is very useful to hear BM being spoken in everyday situations and this helped my confidence both in understanding and speaking BM. You can also use Ling for any other languages you are learning, so 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!

 
3) Revise the type of questions that will be asked and learn the answers to them 

I wrote out a list of all of the questions that other applicants had been asked that I had seen on Facebook forums, as well as general knowledge on Malaysia, the national anthem and Rukun Negara. **See below for example questions**
 
4) Practice speaking BM with your spouse

As well as day to day conversations, my wife and I practiced the interview and she asked me the likely questions. This was very helpful as it made me less nervous about the interview itself. I also got my wife to record the questions on my smartphone so that I could listen to them and practice answering them on my own!

Example Questions:
Below are some questions that I suggest you prepare answers for (this list is not exhaustive!). Translate these into BM (get your spouse to help if needed) and then prepare your answers in BM.
I recommend that you spend a lot of time practicing answering these questions:
 
Questions about you and your spouse:
What is your name?
What country do you come from?
What is your address/where do you stay?

Do you own or rent the house?
What is your age?
What is your date of birth?
Where were you born?
What is your wife/husband’s date of birth?
What is your religion?
What date did you first come to Malaysia?
What was the date of your first LTSVP?
How long have you lived in Malaysia?
How did you meet?
How long you have been married?
What was your marriage date?
Do you have any children?
What are your occupations?
Which company do you/your spouse work for?
What are your salaries?
What is your wife/husband’s monthly salary?
How many family members do you have?
Do you have siblings?
Do you have family in your home country?
What are your family members occupations?
Where does your family live?
How many siblings does your wife/husband have?
Where does your wife/husband’s family live?
How many times do you go to your country in a year?
What are your education qualifications?
What are your wife/husband’s qualifications?
Why do you want to apply for PR?
What do you like about Malaysia?
What do you like to do in Malaysia in your free time?
What does your wife/husband like to do?
What food do you like?
What is your telephone number?
Do you follow politics? **This was asked at the Police interview. Foreigners should not get involved in Malaysian politics!**
 
General Knowledge questions about Malaysia:
What is the Malaysian National Flower?
What colour is the National Flower?
What is the name of the Malaysian flag?
How many colours does the flag have and what are they?
How many stripes and what other symbols are on the flag?
When is Malaysia Independence Day (Hari Merdeka)?
When is Malaysia Day (Hari Malaysia)?
How many states are there and what are they?
Who is the prime minister?
Who are some other cabinet ministers?
Can you name all of the prime ministers?
Who is the king?
Sing the National Anthem (Negaraku)
Recite Rukun Negara
**You must learn Negaraku and Rukun Negara, as you can be asked to sing/recite them at either (or both!) interviews. I thought it would be difficult to learn them, but I practiced a lot and it was ok!**

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) - Police Interview for Spouse

As I described in my last post, after the immigration interview the next stage is the police interview.

The immigration officer had said that the police would call us to arrange the interview between 6 months and 1 year after the immigration interview but we actually received a call after 5 months, and were asked if we could come to the police station the next day.

The police asked us to bring 2 copies of the following:
- Foreign spouse most recent passport
- Foreign spouse most recent LTSVP
- Foreign spouse birth certificate
- Local spouse IC (both sides)
- Local spouse birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Immigration confirmation letter (given to us after we submitted the application to Immigration)

It is also useful if you print a list with the following information:
- Family members of both spouses with name, age, occupation & address
- Schools the foreign spouse has attended and education qualifications
The police officer was pleased we had printed this as it made their job a little easier!

We also brought the original documents submitted as part of our Immigration application (current & old passports/IC/wedding certificate/birth certificate/ sponsor’s payslips & employment letter/utility bill/bond receipt etc) in case we were asked to show them.

Our interview was as at Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontingen (IPK), Jalan Hang Tuah, Bukit Bintang, KL (near LaLaPort mall). Both spouses must attend. We parked in the police compound and registered at the gate. We arrived very early ahead of our appointment, but there was no need to do so as we were asked to wait by the gate until we were collected by an officer at the appointed interview time. 

You should follow the dress code e.g. no shorts/t-shirts/ slippers /short skirts. You may be turned away if you are not dressed correctly.

The interview was in Bahasa Malaysia (BM) and the police can ask the same questions that Immigration asked (including to recite Rukun Negara and sing Negaraku), so it's very important that you prepare properly for the interview. Our questions were mainly to do with our relationship history, occupations and salaries, family members, education, why I had applied for PR etc. 

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 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!

The interview took 1.5 hours overall, including the officer entering data into their system. The police officers were professional and friendly.

At the end of the interview I was advised that my file will now be passed to Bukit Aman who will carry out background checks, which can take around 1 year. The file is then passed back to JIM for review and following that it is sent to JIM HQ at Putrajaya for a decision.  

The police officer said I should regularly follow up with Immigration to check on the status. I was also reminded that I must continue to renew my LTSVP.

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) - 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). Immigration may ask you some questions in Bahasa Malaysia before letting you have the forms.

Note that starting in 2024 applicants are asked to fill in a questionnaire to see how many points they get. The pass mark is apparently 40 points. 

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!

Driving in Malaysia: Convert Probationary Driving Licence (PDL) to Competent Driving Licence (CDL)

After 2 years of holding a PDL you can convert it to CDL (i.e. a full driving licence)

I did my conversion at JPJ Wangsa Maju. Driving licences are dealt with at Pintu 1.
Queues  can be very long, it took me 3 hours from arriving (at 10am) to get my CDL issued.
When I visited (March 2022) JPJ Wangsa Maju closes for sanitisation between 1pm and 2pm each day.

You can apply within 7 days prior to the expiration of your PDL; this will mean that you have no break in dates between PDL expiring and CDL becoming valid and can continue driving during that time.

You must apply for your CDL within one (1) year from the PDL expiry date or you will need to repeat the driving test.

At JPJ 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.

Bring the following documents:

• Original passport
• Photocopy of passport
• Original driving licence
• Photocopy of driving licence (front AND back)
• Passport photo (white background)

If you need to change address or passport number on the licence, let the staff know at the registration desk and they will give you the forms to fill in. You will need to bring your old passport (and a photocopy of it) if you are changing your passport number.

You can choose a licence length of up to 5 years dependent on your passport expiry date. The date of your CDL licence expiration will be the same as your date of birth.

Payment for foreigners is Rm60/year. Fees are payable only by debit or credit card, although at Wangsa Maju they apparently will take cash in the morning!

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

Thanks!