Malaysian PR (Permit Masuk): Immigration Interview for Spouse

Arrange and attend Immigration Interview (November 2022)

I had my interview in KL, the process may be different at other state offices. 

I was advised to arrange the Immigration interview for about 4 months after submitting my Permit Masuk application. I did this at https://www.imi.gov.my/ and chose Sistem Temujanji Online (STO) and [Visa] Permit Masuk options. Appointments are usually booked up 3 months  in advance.

I printed out the appointment email to show to Immigration on the day of my appointment.

On the day of my interview I brought the original documents that were submitted as part of my 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 me when I submitted my application.

Both the applicant and Malaysian spouse are interviewed at the same time. The officer who interviewed us was polite and professional. The interview was in Bahasa Malaysia (BM).

I 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.

See my post here on how I improved my BM for the PR interviews, and the questions that might be asked: 

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 filled out to confirm I knew Rukun Negara and Negaraku so learning them was very important!

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 checked my status online at https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/eservices/myPermit?semakStatusPermit  

Malaysian PR (Permit Masuk): Application Process for Spouse

Application process

I applied in KL, the process and the documents required may be different at other state offices. 

Complete all forms and gathered all information/documents requested
1) Collect original forms and checklist from Immigration Permit Masuk counter.

2) Make appointment to submit application:
I was only able to arrange an appointment date for 3 months time. 
I did this at https://www.imi.gov.my/ and chose Sistem Temujanji Online (STO) option. Made appointment for [Visa] Permit Masuk and printed out the confirmation letter to bring to the appointment.

3) Complete all forms and put together all information/documents requested.
This included recent passport photos (blue background), statutory declaration (witnessed by Commissioner for Oaths), sponsor’s payslips and employment letter etc. I completed the forms in BM. I needed to allow plenty of time to do this as a lot of information is required.

Note that the foreign spouse must have their birth certificate certified by their Embassy. 

As a UK citizen, I couldn't get the British High Commission to certify my birth certificate, as they do not certify any documents. Instead, I had to download a letter from the UK government website explaining their policy and then had my birth certificate notarised by a Notary Public in KL. I submitted both the letter and the notarised birth certificate as part of my application. The UK government letter can be downloaded here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/confirm-a-notarial-or-document-service-is-not-available 

Submit Application at Immigration (July 2022)
Both the applicant and Malaysian spouse must attend. I brought the print out of my appointment email plus all original documents and copies requested.

Before I was allowed to submit my application the officer asked me in BM ‘Who is the Prime Minister?’ and advised that I will need to speak BM in the interviews.

Once my application was accepted I was given a confirmation letter to keep safely and bring to the immigration and police interviews. It also had a reference number so that I could check the status of my application online.

The officer then asked me to make an appointment for the immigration interview in about 4 months time.

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 long, it took me 3 hours from arriving (at 10am) to get my CDL issued.
When I visited (March 2022) JPJ Wangsa Maju closed 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!