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Pathway

Malaysia Citizen-Spouse Residence

Malaysia Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

A foreign spouse of a Malaysian citizen may apply to live together through a Long-Term Social Visit Pass. Working or running a business needs a separate Immigration endorsement.

Relationship
A legally recognized marriage to a Malaysian citizen
Spouse’s role
Support and participate in the application
Evidence
Marriage, identity, passport, and required sponsorship records

Summary

If you are married to a Malaysian citizen, you can apply for a Long-Term Social Visit Pass to live together in Malaysia. Your marriage must be legally recognized, and your Malaysian spouse must support the application.

To work or run a business, you also need Immigration’s separate work or business endorsement: an approval added to your spouse-based permission.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Prepare your marriage certificate, identity documents, passport, and the other records on Immigration’s current local checklist.

The Malaysian spouse must participate in the official process. Confirm the appointment, sponsorship, and document requirements before submitting the application.

Living in Malaysia with a Malaysian spouse
  1. Confirm the marriage and spouse’s support Check recognition and the current local application requirements.
  2. Apply for the family pass Prepare the family and identity records with your Malaysian spouse.
  3. Add work approval if needed After residence approval, obtain the work or business endorsement before beginning.

Permission to stay and permission to work require their own approvals.

What This Route Allows

Approval lets you stay with your spouse for the period Immigration grants. Renewal follows the current requirements.

You may apply for the required work or business endorsement while keeping this spouse-based status. Obtain that approval before beginning the activity.

What This Route Is Not

Marriage alone does not give you residence or work permission. This route is different from the Dependant Pass for families of foreign Employment Pass holders.

Marriage and repeated renewals also do not automatically give you permanent residence; that has a separate application and requirements.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm that the marriage is recognized and that your Malaysian spouse can support the application.
  2. Obtain the local checklist and gather the marriage, identity, passport, and sponsorship records.
  3. Complete the family-pass process. If you want to work or run a business, apply for the separate endorsement before starting.

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Discussed in these reports

Sources