Malaysian Permanent Residence: Application Guidelines from September 2025

 

In January 2025, Malaysia’s Home Ministry (KDN) announced that changes to the application process for foreign spouses would take effect in September 2025:

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/01/1167952/foreign-spouses-get-entry-permit-relief-exempted-point-system

Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia has released the official Permit Masuk Guidelines (Garis Panduan Permit Masuk) which provide a clear, step-by-step guide to the updated application process. 

Download them here: https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/permit/ 

The Guidelines outline the process and include links to download the required forms. However, the PR application form (Borang Permohonan Permit Masuk [IM.4]) is not available for download, and will only be issued to applicants once their eligibility has been verified by Immigration.

The Immigration department has released a brief explanatory video on YouTube

Key updates for foreign spouses include:

• Eligibility criteria have been reduced for foreign wives, who can now qualify with a minimum of 3 years of marriage and 1 year on LTSVP. Foreign husbands must still meet a minimum of 5 years for both marriage and LTSVP. This summary is shown on Page 38:

• There is no mention of a ‘Points System’ in the Guidelines, instead Page 20 states that the applicant and Malaysian spouse must attend an Immigration interview to determine eligibility for the Permit Masuk application. If the Points System has been abolished, applicants may now be evaluated to a standard decided by the Immigration officer at the interview. Appendix A2 shows the verification criteria appear to be the same as those under the Points System:

• Page 22 of the first version of the Guidelines (released on 13th October 2025 on the Immigration Facebook Page) stated that decisions on applications should be issued within 6 months from the submission date. This was also shown on this Facebook Post by Immigration on 12th December 2025. However, Page 22 of the most recent version of the Guidelines (as shown on the Immigration website) states that a review of the application result can be done after 6 months. Extracts of both versions are shown here, with the assumption that Version 2 takes precedence:

Version 1:

Version 2:

    This infographic on Page 34 shows the process and timeline:

• Here are some other extracts from the Guidelines:

Page 9: Examples of Red IC (MyPR) and Permit Masuk Certificate

 issued to a successful applicant, by JPN and Immigration

Page 16: Eligibility criteria for the wife of a citizen

Page 17: Eligibility criteria for the husband of a citizen

Page 28: Example of the Permanent Resident passport stamp 

issued to a successful applicant by Immigration

Appendix A1: Example of the IM.4 Permit Masuk Application form 

given to applicants who have had their eligibility verified by Immigration

Appendix C1: Checklist for the Permit Masuk Application

Where to find further information:

• For specific guidance go to the 'Permit Masuk' counter at your nearest Immigration office.
• Visit the Facebook pages and Groups shown in the 'Useful Links' section
• See information on the PR process on the FAQs page:

https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2025/01/malaysian-pr-permit-masuk-faqs.html

Spouse Visa Malaysia: Renewal of Long Term Social Visit Pass 2025

 New LTSVP Online Renewal Process

**UPDATE May 2026**

For a detailed account of a recent renewal experience, see this Reddit post which explains the process step by step:

https://www.reddit.com/r/malaysia/comments/1tj3p3h/renewing_your_malaysian_spouse_visa_ltsvp_online/

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The Immigration department has announced that with effect from 1st October 2025, LTSVP holders in Peninsular Malaysia can fully renew their pass online using the ePLSI system.

Renewal applications can be made at https://www.imi.gov.my (select the ePLSI option)

The new system is 'end-to-end' meaning that the LTSVP pass can be self printed and there is no need to visit the immigration office. 

If you are unable to apply online (or can apply online but are unable to print the pass), you should visit Immigration. You will need to bring originals and copies of all the required documents.

Under the previous online system, if a pass had less than 14 days left the renewal application could not be made online and had to be done at Immigration. Immigration say that this requirement has now been dropped.

Note: new LTSVP applications, transfer of a pass to a new passport, and renewals for passports that have expired or have less than 6 months validity must still be done at the Immigration office.

Further details can be seen in this post on JIM's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FQkVmtmmt/ 

For more information about LTSVP renewals check out the websites and Groups in the ‘Useful Links’ section.

Malaysian Permanent Residence: Replacing your Red IC (MyPR)

 

**UPDATE March 2026** 

JPN have updated their advice and now say that it is only necessary to replace an IC under the following circumstances:

• Card is damaged
• Card is lost
• Change of address
• Change of personal information (change of name or religion)
• Upgrade MyKid to MyKad (12 years old)

Other than these reasons, JPN say you should NOT change your IC; they no longer say that you should change your IC if it is more than 10 years old.

See the JPN post here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Gjz7nD3AM/ 

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JPN has recently advised IC holders (including PR holders) to replace their card if it is more than 10 years old. 

Previously it was only necessary to replace an IC in the following circumstances:

• IC had been damaged
• IC had been lost
• IC had been stolen
• IC holder reached 18 years of age
• IC holder changed permanent address

The cost to replace a MyPR card is RM40, although an additional processing fee will be charged to replace a card that has been lost.

See this JPN Facebook post: 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17Dr9F4aF9/ 

What if I have lost my MyPR?

• 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)

What if my MyPR has been stolen? 

• 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.

What if I have lost or had my MyPR stolen overseas? 

You are advised to make a police report in that country, then follow the steps above.

See the JPN website for more details:

https://www.jpn.gov.my/en/core-business/identity-card/mykad-gantian-hilang-eng

Malaysia Immigration: Using the QMS App at Putrajaya

Immigration announced that the QMS queue management app was being used at Putrajaya from 1st November 2024 but on my visits to immigration I hadn't seen any signs for it and so took a paper ticket in the normal way. 

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'

See this website for links to download the app, plus additional details (although it describes passport renewals): https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/pengumuman/qms-mobile-apps/

Malaysia Immigration: STO appointments

**UPDATE 17th December 2025**

The STO system has been replaced by the QMS 2.0 system.

See further information here:

https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2026/01/queue-management-system-20.html 

Previously immigration offices used the STO system for appointments 

and applicants had to book an appointment using this link: 

https://sto.imi.gov.my/STO/home.php 

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**UPDATE 1st July 2025**

The Shah Alam office no longer uses the STO system. Other offices in Selangor do still use STO. 

More information on the new system at Shah Alam is here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CHsMYA8so/

**UPDATE 1st November 2024**

Putrajaya does not use the STO system (only walk in is allowed), but from 1st November 2024 they say visitors should use the QMS app for getting a queue number. See:

https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/pengumuman/qms-mobile-apps/ 

You can download the QMS app from Google Play or Apple Store.

**UPDATE 20th June 2024**

Kuala Lumpur Immigration have announced they are going back to using the STO system. 

So both Selangor and KL once again require applicants to make an STO appointment.

This photo was downloaded from the internet:

**UPDATE 10th June 2024** 

Selangor Immigration have announced they are going back to using the STO system.

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

Renew your LTSVP online, but to collect the pass walk in rather than making an appointment.

Marriage in Malaysia: Guide to Marriage Process for a Foreigner

*** The information in this post may now be out of date. For the most current updates, please check with JPN directly and visit the Facebook Groups shown in the 'Useful Links' section.***

Step by Step Guide to Malaysian Marriage Process for a Foreigner (non-Muslim)

For a foreign national to get married in Malaysia to a Malaysian national it is necessary to follow the procedures laid out by the National Registration Department (JPN).

This is reasonably straightforward but is time consuming and there does appear to be much conflicting information online, so I decided to write this guide to help other people going through the process!

I (husband) am a British citizen and my wife is Malaysian. We live in KL and wanted to get married in KL but as my wife’s IC card still shows her as a resident of Selangor we had to follow certain procedures which may not apply to you if your circumstances are not the same as ours. 

The following information only applies to non-Muslim marriages – if either of you are Muslim then you should refer to the JPN website.

When attending JPN or Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) there are strict clothing rules e.g. no shorts/t-shirts/slippers/short skirts. You may be turned away if you are not dressed appropriately.


Step by Step guide:

1) Have a Statutory Declaration drawn up which the foreign national should complete before signing it in front of a Commissioner for Oaths (there is one at Jalan Duta which is located near Publika at 69 Jalan Sri Hartamas 1. The building sign says "Kementerian Dalam Negeri". There is free car parking). RM6

2) Get a marriage letter from your Embassy/High Commission. I made an appointment with the British High Commission (BHC) for a marriage letter. I brought both passports and the Statutory Declaration. Only the British citizen needed to attend. The letter cost RM357.50! 

3) Bring the Embassy/High Commission letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Putrajaya to get it endorsed (there is no need for the Malaysian citizen to attend). I suggest you get there for 7am so you are first in line. RM20

4) Both go to JPN in Putrajaya for a letter addressed to JPN in KL for permission to marry in KL (this was only necessary for us as my wife’s home state is shown as Selangor on her IC and we wanted to get married in KL and not Selangor) RM30

5) Both go to JPN at Jalan Duta and fill out form KC02 to put in your notice of marriage and set a date for your wedding for between 6 months and 21 days (If you are going to JPN HQ in Putrajaya to request No. 4 above then this can also be done at the same time there). You should bring with you the following:

• Statutory Declaration
• Letter from Embassy/High Commission (including endorsement from MFA)
• Letter from JPN HQ (not needed in all cases, see point No. 4 above)
• Birth Certificate of foreign national (& photocopy)
• Passport Photo of each person
• Passports (& photocopies)
• Photocopy of entry stamp to Malaysia for foreign national (You must have entered Malaysia at least 7 days beforehand – your application will be rejected if you don’t comply with this!)
• IC of Malaysian national (plus photocopy of both sides)

You may need to pay for a translator to translate part of the forms from English into Malay. In Putrajaya we were sent to the Palace of Justice (Kompleks Kehakiman) to do this – it is not expensive and is just a short walk from JPN but it took quite a long time. There is probably a similar service at Jalan Duta but the JPN staff should be able to guide you on this. 

6) If you want your wedding ceremony to be held at a place that is not a JPN office then you will need to fill out form KC01E. 

7) The date of marriage will be confirmed by JPN 2 weeks beforehand. At that point one of you should go to JPN and pay the registrar fees of RM530, plus a further fee of RM180 if your wedding ceremony will be at a place that is not a JPN office (see point No. 6 above). You will need to provide copies of passport/IC of your 2 witnesses (who must be over 21 & resident in Malaysia). You can also ask for additional copies of your wedding certificate to be issued (RM10 per copy)

8) On your wedding day you must both bring your passport/IC. The witnesses must also bring their passport/IC. Make sure you get some photos which also show the registrar in them – this will help when you are making your application for a Long Term Social Visit Pass (spouse visa)

This process may change, so I recommend that you check for current information on the
JPN website