1. Malaysian Student Visa
To be eligible for a student visa, a foreign national must be confirmed to be enrolled in a full-time course of study at any accredited Malaysian university or college. The college will be issued with a Student's Pass on behalf of the Immigration. This together with the visa approval letter from the university/institution can be used to apply for a student visa. Documents required for this visa include:
1. Copy of passport showing validity of at least 1 year;
2. Passport size photograph;
3. Copy of the college's letter of acceptance;
4. Completed and signed Visa Application Form;
5. GMAT or GRE test score depending on the course applied for;
6. IELTS/TOEFL test scores;
7. Notarized copies of secondary and post-secondary qualifications.
Fees for a Malaysian student visa vary depending on the institute and the type of program applied for. Some institutions may require additional fees such as medical examination fees and health insurance. International students must also pay a personal bond or security deposit depending on their country of origin.
International students in Malaysia are allowed to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week during school breaks and vacations longer than 1 week. They are not allowed to work as cashiers or engage in activities that are considered immoral under Malaysian law. Student visas are valid for 1 year and can be extended if the student maintains 80% attendance and a minimum CGPA of 2.0.
2. Malaysia Work Visa
There are three types of work visas available for those who want to work in Malaysia:
1. Employment Pass
This is usually issued to migrants who are working in Malaysia and are earning at least RM3,000 per month. This visa is valid for 2 years and can be extended.
2. Professional Visa Pass (PVP)
This pass is granted to foreigners who wish to undertake short-term projects in Malaysia for a maximum of 12 months. Groups eligible for this pass are:
Equipment installers
Maintenance specialists
Government-recognized researchers
Educators, lecturers and guest speakers
Filmmakers, directors, actors, producers and photographers
Artists
Volunteers
International Members of Institutions and Organizations
Leaders and Members of Religious Groups
Visitor Pass/Temporary Pass
This visa pass is granted to foreigners who will be working in Malaysia for less than 24 months.
3. Malaysian Spouse Visa
A foreigner who is married to a Malaysian citizen can apply for a Spouse Visa or Long Term Social Visit Pass. This visa grants the person permission to enter and exit Malaysia several times within a period of 5 years. It is usually issued for one year in the first instance, but may be extended for up to four years at a later date. It also allows him/her to work in Malaysia without having to apply for a separate work visa. After getting married and residing in Malaysia for 5 years, he/she can apply for permanent residency.
In addition, applicants can also opt for the Malaysia Second Home program, which has undergone a change in policy and has significantly higher eligibility requirements. This visa is a long-term visa for those who have a certain level of financial strength and wish to settle and live in Malaysia for a long period of time.
4. What are the advantages and benefits of immigration to Malaysia
1. Buying a house
Any foreigner can buy any number of residential properties in Malaysia, subject to the different states for foreigners. Most states start at RM500,000 per unit from January 2014 onwards. Land is a state matter and it is important to check state laws before making any as there is no standardization of minimum purchase prices between states.
2. Purchase or Importation of Vehicles
Participants approved under the mm2h scheme with mm2h visas approved from January 1, 2017 are eligible to:
1) Purchase of new locally assembled vehicles (fully dismantled - ckd) exempted from GST; or
2) Importation of second-hand private vehicles (fully assembled - cbu) into Malaysia, which is exempted from import duty and excise tax.
MM2H Participants can only sell/transfer the ownership of exempted vehicles after five (5) years from the date of obtaining the vehicle's registration as agreed by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. These duties are required to be paid prior to the transfer of ownership based on the current assessment as determined by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. Additionally. The importation or purchase of a vehicle must be for personal use only, not for commercial use, and only one vehicle will qualify for duty exemption for MM2H participants.
3. Apply for a Helper
Under the current guidelines of the Malaysian Immigration Department, each applicant can apply for one maid.
4. Withdrawal Requirements
MM2H participants are allowed to withdraw part of the required fixed deposits (RM50,000 for those aged 50 years old and above) / (RM150,000 for those aged 50 years old and below) from the second year onwards for the approved expenses related to the purchase of a house, a car, Malaysian children's education and medical purposes. However a balanced RM100,000 (age 50 and above) / RM150,000 (age 50 and below) fixed deposit must be maintained until they terminate the MM2H program. Please note that withdrawals are on a reimbursement basis and funds will be released based on the amount paid. Withdrawals can be made after the first year, effective from the date of the MM2H Social Visit Pass endorsement in the passport. Applicants wishing to withdraw interest accrued on their savings should indicate this in their letter of intent.
As you can see, although the Malaysia Second Home program has high financial requirements and stringent conditions for applicants, it is still an ideal choice for migrating to Malaysia for long-term settlement and living.