Saturday, August 31, 2024 Malaysia will introduce substantial revisions to its visa filing fees for expatriates and their dependents starting September 1, 2024. These changes, unveiled by the MYXpats Centre, a unit under the Immigration Department’s Expatriate Services Division, mark a pivotal shift in the nation’s immigration policies. The adjustments are poised to affect several major visa categories that are commonly utilized by foreign professionals and their families.
Specifically, the Employment Pass, which caters to skilled foreign workers, the Professional Visit Pass for short-term professional engagements, and the Long-Term Social Visit Pass, intended for extended stays by dependents, will all see modifications in their application fees. These changes are part of Malaysia’s broader strategy to streamline its immigration processes and ensure that its visa fee structure remains competitive and reflective of current economic realities. The revised fee structure aims to balance the needs of expatriates with Malaysia’s regulatory requirements, ensuring that the country continues to attract skilled professionals while maintaining robust immigration oversight.
By updating the fees for these essential visa categories, Malaysia is signaling its commitment to fostering a more efficient and effective system for managing the influx of foreign talent. The adjustments are expected to influence both new applicants and those seeking to renew their existing visas, thereby impacting a significant portion of the expatriate community. As Malaysia continues to position itself as a hub for international business and professional opportunities, these changes underscore the country’s proactive approach in adapting its immigration framework to better serve the needs of a dynamic global workforce.
The Employment Pass filing fee in Malaysia, which authorizes expatriates to work in the country, will undergo a significant hike. The new fee is set at MYR 2,000 (approximately INR 38,727), representing a considerable increase from the current charge of MYR 800 (about INR 15,490). This pass is essential for expatriates wishing to be employed by Malaysian organizations, as it allows them to work under contracts lasting up to 60 months.
The fee hike is part of broader changes aimed at adjusting Malaysia’s immigration and visa policies to align with current economic conditions and ensure that the country remains an attractive destination for skilled foreign professionals. In addition to the Employment Pass, the fee for the Dependent Pass, which enables Employment Pass holders to bring their immediate family members to Malaysia, will also see a modification. The fee will rise from MYR 450 (around INR 8,713) to MYR 500 (approximately INR 9,681).
This pass covers dependents such as spouses and children under the age of 18, allowing them to reside in Malaysia for the duration of the expatriate’s employment. The increase in fees for both the Employment and Dependent Passes reflects Malaysia’s intent to recalibrate its visa policies, ensuring a sustainable approach to managing the influx of foreign workers and their families while supporting the country’s economic and demographic needs. The Professional Visit Pass, designed for foreign professionals with the necessary qualifications or skills to offer services or undergo training in Malaysia on behalf of an overseas company, will also see a rise in its associated fees.
The updated fee will be MYR 1,200 (about INR 23,235), up from the current MYR 800 (approximately INR 15,490). This pass permits its holders to remain in Malaysia for a short-term period of up to one year, enabling them to deliver professional services or engage in practical training during their stay. In a similar move, the Long-Term Social Visit Pass, intended for foreigners planning temporary stays of at least six months, will experience an increase in its filing fee.
The revised fee will be MYR 500 (around INR 9,681), compared to the previous fee of MYR 450 (about INR 8,713). This pass is frequently issued to foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens, allowing them to reside in Malaysia for a period of up to five years. Importantly, holders of the Long-Term Social Visit Pass have the flexibility to participate in paid employment or business activities without needing to switch their pass to an Employment Pass or Visitor’s Pass (Temporary Employment).
Alongside the fee adjustments, the Immigration Department of Malaysia has revealed plans to expedite the application processing times for select companies. For businesses classified under Tier 1, Tier 2, and those in the Critical Sector, the processing duration will be shortened from five working days to a mere three. This initiative is designed to simplify the application procedure for expatriates, enabling faster decision-making.
The change is anticipated to benefit both expatriates seeking employment in Malaysia and the companies that depend on skilled foreign professionals, enhancing overall efficiency and responsiveness. The hike in visa fees could pose challenges for expatriates and the companies that employ them, especially in industries that depend significantly on foreign talent. Nonetheless, the shortened processing times might help alleviate some of these challenges by enabling quicker approvals, reducing delays, and minimizing downtime for businesses awaiting the necessary permits for their expatriate employees.
The MYXpats Centre has confirmed that any applications submitted before September 1, 2024, will be handled according to the existing fee structure, offering a limited opportunity for applicants to avoid the impending fee increases..
