Malaysian Permanent Residence: 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, marriage 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 I and my Malaysian spouse were interviewed at the same time. The officer who interviewed us was polite and professional. The interview was in Bahasa Melayu (BM). We were both asked questions about our relationship, and I was also asked general knowledge questions about Malaysia.

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

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

I was asked the following questions in Bahasa Melayu:

• Can you speak Bahasa Melayu?
• When was the date of your first LTSVP?
• When did you first come to Malaysia and why?
• How and when did you meet your wife?
• What are your occupations?
• Who is the Prime Minister?
• What is the national flower?
• What are the colours of the Malaysian flag?
• Do you know Rukun Negara? I then recited them.
• Can you sing Negaraku? I stood up when singing it to show respect.

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. He said that the police will contact us within the next 6 months to 1 year to arrange the police interview.

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

NEXT STEP: Police Interview: https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2023/04/malaysia-permanent-residence-pr-permit.html

Malaysian Permanent Residence: Permit Masuk Application Process for Spouse

Permit Masuk Application Process

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

Completed all forms and gathered all information/documents requested
1) I collected original forms and checklist from Immigration Permit Masuk counter.

2) Made 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) Completed 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, original LTSVP Security Bond receipt, e-Filing Income Tax statement, bank statements, proof of address etc. If you have children you also need to bring relevant documents for them; we don't have kids so didn't need to do that. I completed the forms in BM. I needed to allow plenty of time to do this as a lot of information is required.

This is the checklist I was given by KL immigration office:

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

I'm a UK citizen, but as the British High Commission do not certify documents 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 the letter and the notarised copy of my birth certificate as part of my application. The UK government letter is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/confirm-a-notarial-or-document-service-is-not-available  

Submitted 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 immigration officer asked me 'Siapa Perdana Menteri?' [Who is the Prime Minister?]. He advised me that I must speak Bahasa Melayu in the interviews and that there was no point applying for Permit Masuk if I could not.

With that advice from the officer, I committed to improve my BM language skills, in order to give my application the greatest chance of success. See this post for how I improved my BM, and examples of questions that might be asked: 

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

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

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

NEXT STEP: Immigration Interview: https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2022/11/malaysia-permanent-residence-pr-permit.html 

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 a maximum of 7 days prior to the expiration of your PDL. If you apply within those 7 days you will 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 form JPJL7 to fill in. You will need to bring your old passport (and a photocopy of it) if you are changing your passport number. The sections to be completed are:

• B: Old passport number
• C1: Name and date of birth
• C2: Address
• C3: New passport number
• E: Date and sign

Foreigners can choose a licence length of up to 5 years dependent on passport expiry date. The date of your CDL licence expiration will be the date of your birthday.

The fee for foreigners was Rm60/year, payable by debit or credit card only. However, JPJ later expanded the options to allow payment by e-wallet.