Malaysian passport and its ranking
Because of the requirements or restrictions that are imposed on the citizens of Malaysia by the authorities and offices of other countries, Malaysian citizens and holders of Malaysian passports need visas to enter and exit other countries. Since January 2019, citizens and passport holders of this country can travel to 179 countries without the need for a visa. The Malaysian passport is one of the 12 most powerful passports in the world and the fourth most powerful passport in Asia, the Malaysian passport holders have the privilege of having a visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to other countries in the world.
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Malaysian citizenship and the methods of obtaining citizenship
It is possible to obtain Malaysian citizenship through various methods. Applicants, immigrants and people who want to obtain Malaysian citizenship can choose the appropriate methods depending on their own circumstances and therefore can make the right decision by evaluating their circumstances.
Malaysian citizenship through working
Migrating to Malaysia through work is one of the methods to enter this country. Malaysia has attracted some Asian job seekers due to its growing trend. People who want to enter Malaysia by working must first get a work visa in Malaysia, and in order to get a work visa in Malaysia the employers must agree to the terms and conditions of the applicants. Generally, the employers will take care of all of the working prerequisites. Job seekers in Malaysia have to prepare themselves for a long process because Malaysia has considered severe penalties for those who intend to work illegally in Malaysia, so it is highly recommended that before entering Malaysia and before working in this country you must get a work permit in this country. In order to support the local workforce, Malaysia has imposed some restrictions on foreign applicants and for hiring foreigners. By having a work permit in Malaysia it is possible stay in this country from 1 to 5 years and it can be extended. Of course, in special circumstances, depending on the type of job and expertise in various fields of jobs, it is possible for the applicant to extend this residence permit for another 10 years in this country. But when it comes to obtaining citizenship and granting citizenship Malaysia acts very strictly, and people will not be able to obtain citizenship or even get a permanent residence permit through working in this country.
Unemployment rate in Malaysia has been decreasing in recent years, and this has had a significant impact on attracting workforce to the country. The unemployment rate in 2018 was 3.3 percent.
Malaysian citizenship through education
A glance at the Malaysian education system
The Malaysian education system for children starts from the age of 4 when they enter pre-schools. Although education is not compulsory at this age but children can start education at this age. Primary education starts on the first day of January for children. Currently the six years of primary education and the five years of secondary education is compulsory. Education in Malaysia is free for primary and secondary education. At the end of the secondary education, people who want to pursue higher education at a university can take Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination (SPM). Pre-university education in Malaysia depends on the curriculum, which is usually a one year course for STAM students and will be a one and a half or a two years course for STPM.
Higher education in Malaysia includes undergraduate, graduate and doctoral studies. Usually getting a degree for people over the age of 17 is called SPM and for those who are aged between 18 to 19 is called STPM or GCE A LEVEL which is equivalent to pre-university.
Schools
| preschool education to children aged 4 to 6 years |
| Primary education to children aged 6 to 11 years |
| Secondary education from the age of 12 to 16 |
| Pre-university education (Post-secondary education) for students aged 17 to 19 in Malaysia |
Higher Education
| Undergraduate education (bachelor’s) for students aged from 18 to 19 years-old
Study at the undergraduate lasts for level for 3 to 4 academic years |
| Study for master’s degree (graduate education) between 1.5 to 2 years |
| Study for a doctorate (PhD) |
Malaysian citizenship through investment
It is possible to invest in Malaysia through different methods, including buying a property, registering a company, entrepreneurship and government bonds, but each of these methods has its own details and requirements. Malaysia is looking to attract investors in terms of geographical area and growing economic conditions and by investing in this country applicants can reside in this country for up to 10 years, in the following we will explain about investment in Malaysia:
Investing in Malaysia (my second home):
This type of investment which is known as the MM2H visa, allows citizens of all countries to invest in Malaysia, regardless of their beliefs, religion, race or age, and by using this method applicant can obtain a residence permit for themselves and their families. This visa and this type of investment is different for two groups of people.
1) Investment for people under the age of 50: Applicants who want to invest in Malaysia are required to provide evidence and proof of having a minimum RM 500,000 in assets and a monthly income of RM 10,000. In order to validate the amount of this asset, applicants can submit their latest inquiry and current account statement in the last 3 months as a financial guarantee. Of course, they can and have the right to withdraw half of this amount from their deposit account in the second year.
2) Investment for people over the age of 50: This method is the same as the investment for the first group, but the difference is that people over 50 do not need to prove that they have the amount of 500,000 RM in asset and it is enough to have 350,000 RM or an equivalent amount in their deposit account in Malaysia. Of course, in order for the government retirees to prove their assets they must show that they have RM 10,000 per month as pensions in their account.
This residence permit is provided to the applicants internationally. This program is designed as an entry permission for a long-term visa (long-term residence for 10 years) for foreign investors and it can be extended. In this method, there is no need to stay in Malaysia for a certain period of time, so the applicants can easily enter and leave this country. Applicants can also have their spouse and children under the age of 21 with them as companions.
Investment through company registration:
Investing through company registration requires having a suitable business plan. Company registration requires the necessary and sufficient capital to transfer the required amount for registering a new company with a suitable business plan, or registering a branch of a company in Malaysia which requires paying government fees in the amount of 3,500 to 5,000 ringgit in Malaysia.
Citizens of other countries can register a company in Malaysia with 100% ownership. Keep in mind that in some cases, especially in certain industries, the government of Malaysia will dictate and determine certain businesses to investors. Some of these industries that the government of Malaysia is trying to attract investors to them are:
Oil and Gas
Banking and Finance
Tourism
Agricultural industry
The list which is announced by the government of Malaysia can vary depending on this country’s economic needs. The processes and steps that the foreign companies must follow to register a company will be mentioned here. Applicants should have a plan for the type of the business they want to start. The identification and conditions of the shareholders and company managers must be determined. It is mandatory to prepare the required documents to register the company. Before registering a company, managers must choose a brand for their company which is not similar to other existing brands and names. Each company must declare and determine the address of its office in Malaysia. A company which is established in Malaysia must have at least one manager who is over the age of 18 and resides/lives in Malaysia.
This is a list of capitals by having which people are allowed to register a company in Malaysia:
| Authorized share capital (RM) | Fees (RM) |
| Up to 400,000 | 1.000 |
| 400.000 to 500.000 | 3.000 |
| 500.000 to 1 million | 5.000 |
| 1 million to 5 million | 8.000 |
| 5 million to 10 million | 10.000 |
| 10 million to 25 million | 20.000 |
| 25 million to 50 million | 40.000 |
| 50 million to 100 million | 50.000 |
| 100 million and above | 70.000 |
The whole process of registering a company in Malaysia can be completed within 10 working days. However, the timing of completing the documents can vary depending on when you apply to register it.
Finally, it should be noted that investing and registering a company in Malaysia will lead to getting a residence permit in this country for applicants and this residence permit is for one year and can be extended every year.
Malaysian citizenship by birth
Being born in Malaysia does not automatically lead to obtaining citizenship. Therefore, children whose parents are both citizens of Malaysia, regardless of the child’s place of birth can obtain the citizenship of this country and be considered a citizen of this country. Also, if one of the child’s parents is a citizen of Malaysia and the child is born in Malaysia, the child is considered as a Malaysian citizen and can obtain the citizenship of this country. However, for children who are born outside of Malaysia only if one of the parents is a citizen of this country, the child can obtain Malaysian citizenship under special circumstances. (These conditions are possible if the person lives resides in Malaysia.) In all of these procedures that have been described, according to the laws the child’s parents must register their child’s name with the Malaysian National Registration Department Office so that the child can Officially obtain the citizenship of this country.
Malaysian citizenship through marriage
One of the ways to migrate to Malaysia and obtain Malaysian citizenship is marrying a citizen of this country. Obtaining Malaysian citizenship is very difficult. People who intend to marry a citizen of Malaysia can become a Malaysian citizen after 10 years of living with a Malaysian citizen and residing/living in Malaysia. Of course, another way to marry a citizen of this country is to enter this country as a tourist and after 7 days of residing/living in this country, apply for a marriage certificate so that you can stay in Malaysia and eventually obtain the citizenship of this country.
Documents that are required to submit to the embassy for obtaining a residence permit through marriage:
- Being at least age 21 years
- Medical certificate and certificate of no criminal record
- Valid passport and its copy
- photos
- Presenting a certificate of being single
People who have been married before and are now single must provide a certificate of death of their spouse or a divorce decree in the form of the original certificate and a copy of it.
Malaysian citizenship and asylum seeking
Asylum seekers are not protected by the government of Malaysia and there are no legislative or administrative provisions in place for dealing with the situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia. For this reason, this procedure is followed up by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Meaning that refugee status determination of asylum-seekers and refugees, their registration, documents and… are checked by UNHCR. Due to the precarious and insecure situation of refugees in Malaysia, a unit was set up to protect asylum seekers in Malaysia in order to have more control over them. There is no executive law for refugees in Malaysia, so all of the refugees who enter this country are not allowed to work and if they do work illegally they will be arrested and detained, and in many cases if they are not identified, they will be sentenced to return to their home country and they be deported from Malaysia.
In Malaysia, working is illegal for asylum seekers and they will not be supported by the government in any ways. According to the laws of Malaysia, in order to review the situation of asylum seekers and decide on their conditions they will be detained. On average, this detention will last about 16 months and in some cases more than 5 years. It should be noted that Malaysia is not a party to the UN Refugee Convention, which as a result refugees are deprived of services such as educating, working and living.
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