Malaysia to fast track expat visa applications

The Malaysian government will fast-track the application process for expatriate visas, the country's economy minister Rafizi Ramli said on April 10.

Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Speaking in a press conference after a Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah) meeting on the same day, the minister cited the process will be reduced from the three months it currently takes to just five days.

He said his ministry is aiming to shorten the length of the process as it is one of the obstacles, especially for investors who want to enter the country.

Rafizi said the applicants will be divided into two groups, with one eligible for fast-tracking due to the applicants’ good track record and compliance, as well as a long history with the country. The others that do not have a history with the country will be checked by the relevant departments. If they are eligible, they too will join the fast-tracked group. The new application process is expected to come into effect in early June.

In March, Rafizi said the government was looking at simplifying and shortening the application process for expatriate visas as the existing process took up to five or six months, affecting the manpower plans of businesses.

Besides, the minister also said Pemudah was looking to standardise the planning permission application process managed by local authorities. At the moment, some local authorities taking 50 to 60 days to process an application, while others take up to 200 days.

Accordingly, Pemudah has decided to pick one ‘agile process’ (practised by one local authority) and apply it to other local authorities across the country.

Rafizi acknowledged that now only Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is able to process these applications within 58 days./.

VNA