New LTSVP Renewal Process from 1st October 2025
Sharing my experiences as a foreign spouse applying for Spouse Visa (Long Term Social Visit Pass), Permanent Residence (Permit Masuk) and Malaysian Driving Licence
October 02, 2025
Spouse Visa Malaysia: Renewal of Long Term Social Visit Pass 2025
September 19, 2025
Malaysian Permanent Residence: Replacing your Red IC (MyPR)
- IC had been damaged
- IC had been lost
- IC had been stolen
- IC holder reached 18 years of age
- IC holder changed permanent address
- Make a police report (JPN say this is only needed for a second or subsequent loss). This can be done at a police station or online at https://ereporting.rmp.gov.my/index.aspx
- Go to JPN with the police report
- Apply for a replacement card and pay the MyPR application fee (RM40) and a processing fee: RM100 (first time loss of card), RM300 (second time), RM1,000 (third and subsequent times)
- Make a police report (this must always be done for a stolen card). This can be done at a police station or online at https://ereporting.rmp.gov.my/index.aspx
- Go to JPN with the police report
- Apply for a replacement card and pay the MyPR application fee (RM40). A processing fee does not need to be paid to replace a card that has been stolen.
June 27, 2025
Malaysia Immigration: Using the Autogates at KLIA and KLIA2
Since November 2022, foreign nationals holding a Malaysia long term pass and a biometric passport have been able to use the Autogates at KLIA and KLIA2: https://www.klia2.info/news/2022/autogate-system-at-klia-extended-to-long-term-visit-pass-holders-from-nov-15/.
Tourists from certain countries are also permitted to use the Autogates (70 countries as at Feb 2025).
There are plans to install Autogates at other entry point starting in 2026. See this link: https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2473334
Using the Autogates as an LTSVP holder
As an LTSVP holder, before using the Autogates I first had to be stamped out and back into Malaysia at the manual counter, and my fingerprints scanned. I could then use the Autogates the next time I travelled out of and back into Malaysia.
After I renewed my passport and transferred my LTSVP, I again had to be manually stamped out and back in to Malaysia before I could continue to use the Autogates.
Using the Autogates as a PR holder
After receiving my PR I checked my eligibility to use the Autogates on the Immigration website: https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/egate and it showed this message that I am not eligible to use the Autogates:
On my first overseas trip after obtaining PR, I was unable to use the Autogates on re-entering Malaysia, so I went to the Malaysian Passport counter where my passport was stamped, I showed my Red IC and had my fingerprints scanned.
However, on my next overseas trip I was able to re-enter Malaysia using the Autogates. So I think I just needed to use the manual counter on my way in and back out before the system recognised my eligibility. I’ve since checked again on the Immigration website https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/egate and it now confirms that I am eligible to use the Autogates:
May 20, 2025
Driving overseas with a Malaysian Licence: Getting an International Driving Permit (IDP) from JPJ
To drive overseas using a Malaysian driving licence, some countries require the driver to hold an International Driving Permit as well as the Malaysian domestic licence.
- Applicant must hold a Class B2 or D Competent Driving Licence (CDL).
- CDL must have been held for over 1 year.
- CDL must have at least 1 year left until expiry.
- A fee of RM150 must be paid (IDP validity is 1 year)
- Note: the applicant must have a plastic physical driving licence. The paper 'slip' that has been issued for licence renewals since February 2024 is not valid for overseas use. A physical licence can be requested when renewing the licence (for an additional fee).
- JPJ announced a new format of the plastic physical licence in May 2025. See: https://paultan.org/2025/05/21/jpj-introduces-new-version-of-malaysian-driving-licence-card-with-enhanced-security-features/
- Passport (plus copy of bio page and visa)
- Competent Driving Licence (CDL) (and copy of both sides)
- 1 passport photo (white background)
- Completed Form JPJL1, which can be downloaded here: https://www.jpj.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Borang-Permohonan-Lesen-Memandu-JPJ-L1.pdf
- I also brought evidence of upcoming travels (my flight itinerary) but I wasn't asked to show it.
May 16, 2025
Driving in Malaysia: 2025 Update for Foreign Licence Holders
The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has announced that from 19th May 2025 they will no longer convert foreign driving licences to Malaysian licences.
The only exceptions to this policy are for diplomats, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) participants, and Malaysians who only hold foreign licences.
Foreign spouses, permanent residents and others will no longer be eligible for licence conversion.
More information is available here:
JPJ's announcement also provided guidance for foreign nationals residing in Malaysia for less than 12 months, who can use their foreign licence to drive in Malaysia:
- Those from countries party to the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic 1949 and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic 1968 may drive using an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by the relevant authority in their home country.
- Nationals of ASEAN countries may use their home driving licence, in accordance with the 1985 Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries
March 25, 2025
Malaysian Permanent Residence: My Experience of the PR Process
- Submitted Permit Masuk application: July 2022
- Immigration Interview: November 2022
- Police Interview: April 2023
- Followed up with State Immigration: November 2023
- Home visit from Immigration and Police officers: February 2024
- Online status updated to show file transfer to Putrajaya: November 2024
- Online status updated to show approval of Permit Masuk: December 2024
- Received Permit Masuk approval letter: January 2025
- Shortened LTSVP at State Immigration: January 2025
- Obtained Permit Masuk and PR stamp at Putrajaya Immigration: February 2025
- Applied for Red IC at Putrajaya JPN: February 2025
- Collected Red IC from State JPN: March 2025
- Application Process: https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2022/11/malaysia-permanent-residence-permit.html
- Immigration Interview: https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2022/11/malaysia-permanent-residence-pr-permit.html
- Police Interview: https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2023/04/malaysia-permanent-residence-pr-permit.html
- Immigration and Police Home Visit, File Transfer to Putrajaya and Permit Masuk Approval: https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2024/12/malaysia-permanent-residence-pr-permit.html
- Receiving Permit Masuk Approval Letter and Shortening Current LTSVP: https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2025/01/malaysian-pr-permit-masuk-receiving.html
- Getting Permit Masuk Certificate and PR Passport Stamp: https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2025/02/malaysian-pr-permit-masuk-getting.html
- Applying for Red IC (MyPR): https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2025/02/malaysian-pr-permit-masuk-applying-for.html
- Collecting Red IC (MyPR): https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2025/03/malaysian-pr-permit-masuk-collecting.html
Malaysian Permanent Residence: Collecting Red IC (MyPR)
Collect Red IC (MyPR) from JPN (March 2025)
- JPN receipt
- Passport (but I wasn't asked to show it)
February 28, 2025
Malaysia Immigration: Using the QMS App at Putrajaya
However it is actually in use alongside the paper ticket system, and is a good way to get a ticket number and get notification when your number is called. You may even get seen earlier if you get a number before other people queuing for a paper ticket.
Note that only certain branches use QMS e.g. Putrajaya does but KL currently doesn't (other than for Malaysians renewing passports at select branches).
Using the app:
You will need to know which floor the office is on for the service you want. e.g. at Putrajaya the Permit Masuk counter is on Level 1.
This example is for getting a ticket for the Permit Masuk counter at Putrajaya:
- Download the app from either the Google Play Store or Apple Store.
- Allow notifications when asked.
- Click on 'Service Providers'
- Select 'Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia'.
- Scroll down and choose 'WP Putrajaya'.
- Choose 'Putrajaya (Bahagian Visa Aras 1)'
- Select 'Permohonan Permit Masuk' and 'Get Ticket'
February 17, 2025
Malaysia Immigration: Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)
The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) was introduced on 1st December 2023. Details can be seen here: https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
All foreign nationals are required to complete the MDAC before arrival, with a few exceptions.
February 04, 2025
Malaysian Permanent Residence: Applying for Red IC (MyPR)
Visit JPN to apply for Red IC (MyPR) (February 2025)
- Permit Masuk certificate (plus copy of both sides)
- Permanent Resident passport stamp (plus copy)
- Applicant's passport (plus copies of bio page and all expired LTSVP stickers)
- Proof of Address, e.g. utility bill (plus copy)
- Malaysian spouse IC (plus copy of both sides)
- Marriage Certificate (plus copy)
Malaysian Permanent Residence: Getting the Permit Masuk certificate and PR passport stamp
- Permit Masuk approval letter (plus copy)
- 1 Passport photo (blue background)
- Statutory Declaration that marriage is still valid. We used the Commissioner for Oaths at Putrajaya Level 2 (RM10). Our photos had a white background, but blue might be better.
- Applicant's passport (plus copy of bio page)
- Shortened LTSVP (plus copy)
- Malaysian spouse IC (plus copy of both sides)
- Marriage certificate (plus copy)
- We went to Permit Masuk office at Level 1 (Ground Floor). We arrived at 715am and joined the queue outside the office. There were about 20 people ahead of us at this time.
- The doors opened at 8am and we took a number which was called at 840am. It is also possible to use the QMS app which can be a better way to get a number. See this post: https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2025/02/using-qms-app-at-putrajaya-immigration.html
- We gave the officer our documents and were given a green colour payment form to fill in and told to go to Level 3 to pay. We went directly to payment counters 12 and 13 (there was no need to join the queue) and made the RM120 payment.
- We then returned to the Permit Masuk counter and gave the form and receipt to the same officer. We had completed all of this before 9am.
- We were asked to return at 230pm for collection, but at 1245pm an officer called me to say we could come now to collect. However we were at lunch and could not make it back in time before the office closed at 1pm.
- We went back around 2pm and my name was called by an officer at the collection counter. We signed and put our thumb prints and were then given the Permit Masuk certificate (Im.5) and my passport with the Permanent Resident stamp.

January 23, 2025
Malaysian Permanent Residence: Receiving Permit Masuk Approval Letter and Shortening LTSVP
- Form IM12
- Permit Masuk approval letter (plus copy)
- Applicant's passport (plus copy of bio page)
- LTSVP (plus copy)
- Malaysian spouse IC (plus copy of both sides)
- Marriage Certificate (plus copy)





























