KUALA LUMPUR: A special criteria is being drawn up to allow non-citizen spouses who have separated from their Malaysian partners, but have children with Malaysian citizenship, to be considered for an entry permit, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this would support the family institution.
"It ensures that foreign spouses will not be separated from their children with Malaysian citizenship," he said in a written reply on Wednesday (Aug 10).
He said foreign nationals married to Malaysian citizens are entitled to have a Long Term Social Visit Pass, allowing them to reside in Malaysia.
The pass, he said, can be used to apply for an entry permit from the Immigration Department and later present an application for permanent resident status.
"If the marriage ends either due to the spouses’ death or separation, the pass will no longer be given.
"The privilege of applying for an entry permit, under the premise of being a partner to a Malaysian citizen, will also automatically be revoked," he said.
Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry has taken several steps to overcome challenges in applying for the entry permit and reduce the difficulty in getting a permit once a foreign national has separated from their Malaysian partner.
This includes resolving all 19,205 backlogs of entry permit applications between 2013 and 2023.
Of the number, 14,918 are those of wives to Malaysian citizens while 4,287 comprise husbands to Malaysian citizens.
"The criteria for entry permits has also been updated where foreign wives of Malaysian citizens can submit their applications after being married for three years and held a spouse visa for at least one year.
"For foreign husbands of Malaysian citizens, applications may be submitted after the applicant has been married for five years and has held a spouse visa for five years," he said.
He added that a six-month timeframe will also be introduced to consider and make decisions on entry permit applications.
"This new standard operating procedure will take effect on Sept 1 this year," he said.
He was responding to a question by Dr Taufiq Johari (Pakatan-Sungai Petani) who asked if the ministry is considering a special avenue allowing foreign nationals with Malaysian children to obtain permanent resident status.
