HOME Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced today that the government will introduce a special visa for investors and expatriate groups, allowing them to stay longer in the country for business and investment purposes.
The initiative aims to streamline the entry process and facilitate business operations in Malaysia, making it easier for foreign investors to conduct their affairs, he said.
Saifuddin said the new visa would be processed through a single-window system, simplifying the application process and making it electronically accessible.
"We will introduce a new visa specifically for investors to facilitate their entry and ensure smooth business operations. The quicker their applications are processed and simplified, the better the reception they will have for the business climate in our country. That is the role of the Immigration Department," he said during the Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Saifuddin's remarks came in response to a question from Lee Chean Chung (PH-Petaling Jaya), who asked about the Immigration Department’s readiness to simplify procedures and reduce foreign investors’ reliance on agents for obtaining specific visas.
The Minister also addressed concerns about improving services to expedite the issuance of permits and visas.
Saifuddin highlighted that the Ministry of Home Affairs is committed to processing the remaining 11,700 pending visa and permit applications by June.
“This effort is part of the government’s ongoing initiative to simplify public services and improve efficiency. At present, 80 per cent of every 100 entry permit applications are from foreign spouses married to Malaysian citizens," he explained.
According to the minister, the Immigration Department issues nearly three million visas annually, with the most common types being the Temporary Employment Pass, Student Pass, and Spouse Pass.
He also noted that digitalisation has significantly improved efficiency, enabling certain high-demand visas to be processed online, thus saving the government substantial costs.
For instance, digital applications have led to savings of up to RM13 million in printing fees for visa stickers to be affixed to passports.
Saifuddin added, under the digitalisation agenda, the need for visa stickers has been eliminated, as applicants can now simply present a device showing the status of their visa.
For Temporary Employment Pass renewals, employers no longer need to visit the counter for processing, resulting in a 70% reduction in congestion at visa service counters.
This move aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s push for the public sector to transition towards digital services.
“With these changes, the government aims to make Malaysia a more attractive and efficient destination for investors, while simultaneously modernising and improving public service delivery through technology,” he said. – March 6, 2025
