*** The information in this post may now be out of date. For the most current updates, please check with Immigration directly and visit the Facebook Groups shown in the 'Useful Links' section.***
Step by Step Guide
to Apply for a Long Term Social Visit Pass in Malaysia
(otherwise
known as a Spouse Visa or Spouse Pass)
A
foreign national living in Malaysia and married to a Malaysian can apply for a
long term social visit pass (LTSVP) which is a multiple entry pass for up to 5
years.
There
are varying reports on how long you will be granted on initial application; the
immigration officer told us that the initial pass runs for a period of one year
and that the renewal pass will be for a period of five years. However it seems that some people only
receive 6 months on the initial application followed by a 1 year pass upon first renewal. I don't know if the differences are based upon nationality of the applicant or other factors.
The
LTSVP also allows the foreign national to work in Malaysia without having to
convert their visa to a working visa. To do this you must first apply for the LTSVP
itself, then once you have a job offer you can apply for a LTSVP work endorsement at Immigration.
Note: It is illegal to work using only a spouse visa! You MUST have the extra work endorsement stamp given by immigration!
For more information on getting the work endorsement see these links:
and
LTSVP
Application Process
In
theory the process is straightforward, but with lots of conflicting information
online (including different versions of the forms on the Immigration website to
those that the Immigration office hand out) it can be confusing, so I decided to write this guide to help other people going through the process!
When attending the immigration department clothing rules may be enforced 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) Go to Immigration to collect the
checklist and forms. If you live in KL the Immigration Office is
located near Publika / Solaris Dutamas on Jalan Duta at 69 Jalan Sri Hartamas
1. The building sign says "Kementerian Dalam Negeri" and there is
free (but busy) parking. Opening hours are 730am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Some people report that at busy times applications have not been accepted in the afternoon, so you are best to go in the morning. Lunchtime is from 1pm to 2pm (Friday 1215pm to 245pm). To find the office that deals with LTSVP applications
enter though the main entrance, take the escalator up to Level 1 and go to the
office at the rear of the building. Go to counter 24 (“Nombor Giliran”) to obtain the forms that you need to complete.
2) Both the applicant and the Malaysian
spouse should complete the Statutory Declaration and the Bond Form and then
sign them in front of a Commissioner for Oaths (there is one on the ground floor
at Jalan Duta). The amount of the bond varies depending on the
country of applicant. Details of the current bond amounts can be found on the Immigration website.
3) Both the applicant and the Malaysian
spouse go to LHDN (a short drive from Publika at Blok 9, Kompleks Bangunan
Kerajaan, Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur. We parked on the road). Find the Stamp Duty
office on the ground floor and go to the counter on your right and ask for form
PDS1. There are examples on their wall to
show you how to fill out the form. Once completed take a ticket from the
counter. When your number is called you pay RM10 stamp duty and have the Bond
Form stamped. Opening hours are 745am to 345pm Monday to Friday. (They are
closed for lunch. Friday lunch is 1215pm to 245pm). There is also a branch at
UTC Pudu Sentral (above Puduraya bus station) which will stamp documents up until 5pm.
4) Complete all of the other
forms (including Form Imm.55 which although is an extension request is also
required for a first application). Gather together the remaining documents and
supporting information requested on the checklist. Although the checklist only
asks for 1 copy of Form Imm.12 we were asked to fill out 2 copies!
5) Both the applicant and the Malaysian
spouse go to Immigration with all of the requested documents. Take a ticket
(from counter 24 again) and await your turn. When your number is called the
officer will check your forms and ask you to wait. After about 1 hour we were
called back to the desk by the officer and given a confirmation print out and
asked to return after a certain date (2 weeks later in our case).
6) The applicant returns to Immigration
(the Malaysian spouse doesn’t need to go) to pay the bond. Don’t forget
to bring your passport, the confirmation print out plus funds in cash.
Funds required in my case were RM1,500 for the bond (UK national) plus RM90 for 1 year pass
– total RM1,590. The bond amounts for other nationalities can be found on the Immigration website. Go to counter 24 to collect a ticket. Your number will be
called and you will hand your confirmation form and passport to the officer.
You will then wait again for your number to be called to go to the payment
counter (be aware that tickets for the payment counter are not called in
order). Pay the bond and fee (cash only - there is a
Bank Islam ATM on the ground floor if you need it). You will be given a receipt
for the bond and a receipt for the fee. You then have to go to the ground floor
to have a photocopy taken of the bond receipt (no copy of the fee receipt is
needed). Go back upstairs and once your number is called again you will hand
over the photocopy of the bond receipt and be given your passport with the pass
entered in it. Check the correct pass and period has
been given.
The bond is apparently refundable if you ever cancel the LTSVP, but you will need to show the original receipt. You will also need the original receipt to apply for PR. Keep the original receipt safely!
