A SPECIAL criteria is being drawn up to allow non-citizen spouses separated from their Malaysian partners but who have children with Malaysian citizenship, to be considered for an entry permit.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this move will support the family institution.
“It ensures that foreign spouses will not be separated from their children who have Malaysian citizenship,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.
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 (PR) status.
“If the marriage ends either due to the spouses’ death or separation, the pass will no longer be given,” he added.
Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry has taken several steps to overcome challenges in applying for the entry permit and reduce the difficulty in getting it once a foreign national separated from their Malaysian partner.
This includes resolving the backlog of 19,205 entry permit applications between 2013 and 2023.
Of the number, 14,918 comprised wives to Malaysian citizens while 4,287 comprise husbands.
“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.
The minister said a six-month timeframe will also be introduced to consider and make decisions on entry permit applications.
“This new SOP will take effect from Sept 1 this year,” he told Dr Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani) who asked if the ministry was considering a special avenue allowing foreign nationals with Malaysian children to obtain PR status.
