Malaysia will increase visa application fees for foreign workers, expatriates and their families from 1 September

Malaysia is set to make significant changes to visa application fees for expatriates and their dependents, with the new rates coming into effect on 1 September 2024. The changes announced by the MYXpats Centre, a division of the Expatriate Services Division of the Department of Immigration, will affect several key visa categories, including the Employment Pass, Professional Visit Pass and Long-Term Social Visit Pass.

The most significant increase will be made for the Employment Pass, which allows expatriates to work in Malaysia. The new fee will be RM2,000, a significant increase from the current RM800. The Employment Pass allows expatriates to work for Malaysian organizations on contracts of up to 60 months. In addition, Employment Pass holders can apply for a Dependent Pass for family members, including spouses and children under 18 years of age. The fee for the Dependent Pass will also be adjusted, increasing from RM450 to RM500.

The fee for the Professional Visit Pass, which is issued to foreign professionals with sufficient qualifications or skills to provide services or undergo training in Malaysia from the name of the foreign company will also increase. The new fee will be RM1,200, up from the existing RM800. The Professional Visit Pass allows its holders to stay temporarily in Malaysia for up to a year, providing services or undergoing practical training.

Similarly, the registration fee for the Long-Term Social Visit Pass, which is issued to foreigners for a temporary stay, does not apply. less than six months, will increase. The new fee will be RM500, an increase from the previous RM450. This permit is usually issued to foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens, allowing them to stay in the country for up to five years. In particular, holders of a long-term social visit pass can engage in paid work or entrepreneurial activity without having to convert their work permit into a residence permit or visitor residence permit (temporary employment).

In addition to changing the size collection, the Malaysian Immigration Department has announced reductions in processing times for certain companies. Processing times for Tier 1, Tier 2 and Critical Sector companies will be reduced from five business days to three. The move aims to streamline the application process for expatriates and provide faster decisions, which is expected to benefit both expatriates and companies that rely on foreign talent.

Increasing visa fees could have implications for expatriates and their employers, especially in sectors that rely heavily on foreign experience. However, reducing processing times can help mitigate some of the impacts, allowing approvals to be received faster and reducing downtime for businesses waiting for their expatriate employees to obtain the necessary permits.

MYXpats has assured that all applications submitted until September 1, 2024, will be processed according to the current payment schedule, which provides a small window for those who want to avoid higher costs.

Source: timesofindia