Long-Term Visitor Pass Application (Malaysia)

A Long-Term Visitor Pass Application in Malaysia supports an application to the relevant authority for the approval or registration sought.

The LTSVP is distinct from the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa, which is a separate premium long-stay programme administered by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) under a different framework and requires substantially higher financial thresholds (minimum fixed deposit of RM 1 million for new applicants under the 2021 revised MM2H policy). The LTSVP is administered entirely by JIM and is granted at the Director General of Immigration's discretion under Section 10 of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

For foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens, the LTSVP is typically the preliminary step before applying for Permanent Residence (Pemastautin Tetap, PR) under Section 10 of the Immigration Act 1959/63. The spouse must typically hold an LTSVP for a minimum of 5 years of continuous residence in Malaysia as the spouse of a Malaysian citizen before becoming eligible to apply for PR. JIM's standard LTSVP for foreign spouses is initially issued for 1 year and is renewable annually, with the duration gradually extended as the marriage matures and JIM's confidence in the genuineness of the marriage grows.

The LTSVP holder is not permitted to work in Malaysia without a separate Employment Pass or Professional Visit Pass from JIM. However, the LTSVP holder may study, own property, and operate a business (as a director or shareholder) subject to applicable Malaysian business laws. The Income Tax Act 1967 and the Real Property Gains Tax Act 1976 apply to LTSVP holders who own property or generate income in Malaysia.

JIM processes LTSVP applications at its principal offices — the JIM headquarters in Putrajaya and major state JIM offices. For foreign spouses, the application is typically lodged by the Malaysian citizen spouse together with the foreign national spouse at the JIM office in the state of residence.

The legal framework governing the Long-Term Visitor Pass Application (Malaysia) in Malaysia draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under Malaysian law, the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) governs contractual obligations. The Companies Act 2016 (Act 777) regulates corporate entities through the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). The Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) and the Department of Labour govern employment matters. The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) and the Personal Data Protection Department protect personal data. The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) administers tax obligations. The Industrial Court adjudicates employment disputes under the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177). Parties executing a Long-Term Visitor Pass Application (Malaysia) in Malaysia should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) sets the foundational requirements.

A Long-Term Social Visit Pass application in Malaysia is required whenever a foreign national seeks a long-term residence status outside the employment or student pass framework.

An LTSVP application is needed when a foreign national has married a Malaysian citizen and wishes to reside in Malaysia as the spouse of that citizen. The LTSVP allows continuous residence and is the standard pathway to Permanent Residence under Section 10 of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

An LTSVP application is required when an elderly foreign parent of a Malaysian citizen is living in Malaysia and requires a long-term pass to remain with their child. The parent must demonstrate dependency on the Malaysian citizen child and the absence of adequate care alternatives in the home country.

An LTSVP application is needed when a foreign national has strong humanitarian ties to Malaysia — for example, a person who has lived in Malaysia for many years on successive social visit passes and has established family relationships, property ownership, or deep community ties.

An LTSVP application is required when a foreign national retired person cannot qualify for the MM2H programme due to financial thresholds but has legitimate reasons to reside in Malaysia long-term — such as receiving medical treatment at a Malaysian hospital licensed by the Ministry of Health (MOH), or supporting a disabled Malaysian family member.

An LTSVP renewal application is needed each year when the existing LTSVP is about to expire. The renewal must be submitted to JIM at least 1 month before expiry, together with updated supporting documents — marriage certificate, evidence of cohabitation, financial statements, and the Malaysian sponsor's current identification.

Parties in Malaysia should prepare a Long-Term Visitor Pass Application (Malaysia) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under Malaysian law, the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) governs contractual obligations. The Companies Act 2016 (Act 777) regulates corporate entities through the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). The Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) and the Department of Labour govern employment matters. The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) and the Personal Data Protection Department protect personal data. The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) administers tax obligations. The Industrial Court adjudicates employment disputes under the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177). Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.

A Long-Term Social Visit Pass Application in Malaysia must contain the following essential elements.

Applicant Identification: Full name as per passport, passport number, nationality, date of birth, current pass type and number (if already in Malaysia), and the applicant's home country address. A recent passport-sized photograph is typically required by JIM.

Ground for LTSVP: The application must clearly state the humanitarian, familial, or compassionate ground on which the LTSVP is requested — spouse of Malaysian citizen, elderly parent of Malaysian citizen, retired foreigner with established Malaysia ties, or medical grounds. The ground determines the supporting documentation required.

Sponsor Identification: For spousal LTSVPs, the Malaysian citizen spouse (the sponsor) must be identified by full name, NRIC number, occupation, and residential address. The sponsor signs an undertaking to support the applicant's stay.

Marriage or Family Relationship Documentation: For spousal applications, attach the marriage certificate from Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) or an overseas authority with apostille/legalisation. For parent applications, attach the Malaysian citizen child's NRIC and birth certificate showing the parent-child relationship.

Proof of Cohabitation and Genuine Relationship: JIM requires evidence of genuine cohabitation — joint utility bills, joint tenancy agreement, joint bank account statements, or statutory declarations (Akuan Bersumpah) from neighbours or community leaders attesting to the couple's residence together. Family photographs and travel records may also be submitted.

Financial Capacity: The applicant or sponsor must demonstrate financial ability to support the stay — bank statements, EPF statements, or salary slips of the Malaysian sponsor. For retired applicants, pension statements or investment income evidence is required.

Declaration of Compliance: The applicant must undertake to comply with all conditions of the LTSVP, not to engage in employment without separate authorisation, and to notify JIM of any change in circumstances.

Additional compliance elements for a Long-Term Visitor Pass Application (Malaysia) used in Malaysia include: Under Malaysian law, the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) governs contractual obligations. The Companies Act 2016 (Act 777) regulates corporate entities through the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). The Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) and the Department of Labour govern employment matters. The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) and the Personal Data Protection Department protect personal data. The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) administers tax obligations. The Industrial Court adjudicates employment disputes under the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177). Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Malaysia-compliant documentation.