How Can I Get Malaysian Citizenship By Marriage?

Malaysian citizenship can be obtained through marriage, with the process being more complex and lengthy. Eligible applicants must meet specific criteria, including a designated period of marital union with a Malaysian citizen, a demonstrably authentic and ongoing marital relationship, and fulfilling residency requirements.

For non-Malay citizens, citizenship through naturalisation is another option. There are three legal categories for applying for citizenship: married women whose husband is a citizen, foreign nationals, and mothers/father-in-law to a Malaysian citizen. The application process can be lengthy and complex, and applicants must submit their applications at the National Registration Department (JPN).

To register a child as a Malaysian citizen, applicants must be over 21 years old, have resided in Malaysia for more than 10 years in the 12 years preceding the date of application, and have an adequate knowledge of the Malay language. British citizenship can be applied for by naturalization if one is 18 or over, married to a British citizen, or has a valid marriage.

US citizens must understand how to get married abroad or domestically and the immigration options/processes. Two immigrant visa options are the CR-1/IR-1 Spousal (Immigrant) Visa and Singaporean citizenship. Foreigners living for at least 10 years in Malaysia can apply for citizenship, but it is extremely difficult.

The Federal Constitution currently only enables non-citizen wives of Malaysian men to apply for citizenship, and foreign nationals may become Malaysian citizens by naturalisation after residing in the country for at least 10 years, renouncing any previous nationalities.

How to live in Malaysia as a foreigner?

Moving to Malaysia for work. To work in Malaysia, you need a work visa. Malaysia issues different types of work permits, depending on your eligibility.

Employment Pass; Temporary Employment Pass; Professional Visit Pass.

If you have an Employment Pass, you can bring your family to Malaysia. Other types of work permits don’t allow dependents to come to Malaysia.

Moving to Malaysia for family. If you are in Malaysia working or studying and want to bring your family to Malaysia, you need to apply for a dependent pass.

Are Malaysian married abroad children eligible for Malaysian citizenship?

On August 5, 2022, the Court of Appeal ruled that children born to Malaysian mothers with foreign spouses are not automatically citizens of Malaysia.

Can I get PR if I marry a Malaysian?

Experts need at least three years of experience, while professionals need a certificate of competence. To apply as a spouse of a Malaysian citizen, you must have been married for at least five years and lived in Malaysia continuously during that time. You also need a Malaysia resident visa. Spouses of Malaysian citizens need the following documents to apply for a residence permit in Malaysia in 2024:

The application form and two passport photos; copies of both passports; copies of the spouse’s ID; copies of the marriage certificate; copies of the children’s birth certificates, if applicable. Malaysian permanent resident status offers many advantages to foreigners who have lived and worked in the country. This status lets foreigners leave and return as they please and work without a work permit.

What happens if a foreigner gives birth in Malaysia?

Parents must register the birth of their child with the Malaysian Registration Department within 14 days of the child’s birth. The hospital will give parents a form to apply for the child’s birth certificate. This form confirms the child’s birth in Malaysia. Parents or parents must fill out the form and bring the following original documents to the Registration department:

Form from hospital; passports of both parents; marriage or divorce certificate; death certificate (if applicable).

Can a foreigner born in Malaysia get citizenship?

Malaysian law says anyone born in Malaysia between August 31, 1957, and October 1, 1962, is a Malaysian citizen. After this date, people born in Malaysia must prove they have Malaysian parents, especially one of them. Foreigners in Malaysia can buy a property in Malaysia for at least MYR 1 million to apply for citizenship. But you need state approval, which can take up to six months. Then, they must follow the residence permit and citizenship requirements.

See the infographic below for more information. Even citizens born outside Malaysia with a Malaysian parent can apply for citizenship. The requirements are simpler than for foreigners in Malaysia. Applicants don’t have to be at least 21 years old and don’t need to know much Malay.

Can a foreigner be a citizen of Malaysia?

Voluntary acquisition. Foreign women who marry Malaysian men can become citizens after living in Malaysia for at least two years. All other foreigners may become Malaysian citizens by naturalization after living in the country for at least 10 years. They must have lived in Malaysia for at least 12 months before applying. Applicants must be able to speak Malay and intend to live in Malaysia permanently. Anyone becoming a Malaysian citizen must give up any other nationality. The government can decide whether to approve naturalization or registration. Applications are often rejected with no explanation and there is no way to appeal these decisions. Out of 4,029 citizenship applications between 2000 and 2009, only 1,806 were successful. Malaysia is one of 25 countries that does not give mothers and fathers equal rights under the country’s citizenship law. In September 2021, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Malaysian mothers can pass their citizenship to their children born overseas. The change makes it easier for families to get residency, education, and healthcare. It was hailed by activists as a big step toward gender equality. On February 17, 2023, the Anwar Ibrahim Cabinet said it would change the Malaysian Constitution to let children born to Malaysian mothers married to foreigners become citizens automatically. A new law to change the constitution is expected to be introduced in 2023.

Relinquishment and deprivation You can give up your Malaysian citizenship by saying so. Malaysians who become citizens of another country or live abroad for more than five years without registering at a Malaysian diplomatic mission lose their citizenship. This does not apply to civil servants. Naturalized citizens can lose their citizenship for: committing an act of disloyalty against the state, aiding an enemy nation, being sentenced to more than a year in prison, serving in a foreign government, or being fined 5,000 RM for any offense within five years of becoming a citizen.

How long can foreign spouse stay in Malaysia?

If you marry a Malaysian citizen, you can live and work in Malaysia for up to five years. Often. In Malaysia, foreigners who marry citizens can live and work in Malaysia for up to five years. This article explains Spouse Visas, how to get one, and what you can do with it. We’ll give you an overview of Malaysian Spouse Visas, including the application process. We’ll also try to convince you to use our services!

What is the benefit of a spouse visa in Malaysia?

A Spouse Visa lets foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens live here for six months to five years. A Spouse Visa holder can work or start a business in Malaysia without an Employment Pass. Instead, the spouse must get an Endorsement to Work, which is easy to get and free. The length of a Spouse Visa is often shorter for first-time applicants and extends with subsequent renewals. After five years, a foreign spouse can apply for permanent resident status. Each Spouse Visa costs RM450 and takes up to 14 days to process. Save yourself the trouble and get help from MISHU to apply for your Spouse Visa today! Overview of Malaysian Spouse Visas. The Malaysian Spouse Visa allows foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens to live in the country for at least six months and up to five years. Spouse visa holders can apply for a free work permit endorsement, which allows them to work or start a business without changing their visa.

Can a foreigner marry a Malaysian in Malaysia?

Malaysian law may require foreigners who marry in Malaysia to first get an affidavit of single status. The affidavit must be notarized by their country’s embassy to show they are free to marry. Learn more about getting married in Malaysia.

Different laws and regulations apply to Muslim and non-Muslim marriages in Malaysia. To be legal, the right requirements must be followed. Only marriages registered by the National Registration Department or the Islamic Religion Department are recognized as legal. Affidavit of single status. Malaysian law may require foreigners to prepare an affidavit of single status before marrying in Malaysia. The affidavit must be notarized by their country’s embassy to show they are legally free to marry. Learn more about getting married in Malaysia. Download our marriage affidavit form here.

Can I stay in Malaysia if I marry a Malaysian?

A Malaysian Long Term Social Visit Pass is for foreign nationals who want to stay in Malaysia for more than six months. It is issued to the family members of Employment Pass holders, spouses of Malaysian citizens, and foreigners needing medical treatment in Malaysia. However, the Malaysia Long Term Social Visit Pass is most commonly issued to the spouses or family members of Malaysians or Malaysian foreign residents. This is why it is also known as a Malaysia spouse visa. This article explains the requirements and conditions of a Malaysia spouse visa.

How to get permanent citizenship in Malaysia?

To become a Malaysian resident, you must live here for at least five years. If you can’t stay in Malaysia, but your spouse can, that can help you get PR. You can only stay longer in Malaysia if you have an EP or if your spouse is a Malaysian citizen. If the applicant is going through the MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) program, they can stay for a long time. The applicant has to use the long-term Social Visit Pass to do this. The application process for the Permanent Residency of an applicant varies from one state to another in Malaysia.You need a sponsor who is also a Malaysian citizen to be a valid PR applicant. You can consult with professionals who can help you with your permanent resident processing in Malaysia. To become a Malaysian citizen, you must meet certain criteria. In this section, we will look at all the ways an applicant can get PR in Malaysia. We will learn about each process and the eligibility requirements for each criterion. This is a process for anyone who doesn’t have a strong financial background, a well-defined job profile, or a Malaysian spouse. It’s a lengthy process, but it’s the only way to get PR if you don’t have these things. To be eligible for PR, you must have at least 65 points out of 120. These points are based on several factors. For example, age, education, language skills, and a certificate of good conduct from the applicant’s country of origin are also required.

Does a baby born in Malaysia get citizenship?

A person is a citizen if one of their parents is Malaysian or a permanent resident, or they were born in Malaysia and not a citizen of another country. However, the NRDs practice of registering people as “non-citizens” or “undetermined” on their birth certificates has resulted in many stateless people in Malaysia. Some examples of people who would be stateless are foundlings who were abandoned by their parents, children whose mother is a foreigner, children born before their parents got married, and people who inherit statelessness from their parents.

Our Services We have lots of experience helping parents and stateless people challenge the NRD’s refusal to register them as Malaysians.