Multiple-Entry Investor Pass launched for Peninsular Malaysia
28 May 2025
The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (“
MIDA”) has introduced a new Investor Pass for foreign investors, aimed at attracting foreign investment into Malaysia. The Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has stated that the Investor Pass is a key component of the government’s initiatives under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, aimed at attracting investment, streamlining bureaucracy, and enhancing business convenience.
1
The Investor Pass, which became effective on 1 April 2025, provides multiple entry permission for foreign investors seeking business opportunities in Peninsular Malaysia without first securing any employment in Malaysia. Previously (with the exception of the De Rantau Nomad Pass) all foreigners seeking to perform work in Malaysia may only do so once work passes for foreign nationals (such as Employment Pass and Professional Visit Pass) are applied and obtained for them by their Malaysian employers.
The Investor Pass applies to three categories of foreign investors as follows:
- New investors: Potential investors who do not have any investment record in Malaysia;
- Investors in the Pipeline: Potential investors who have expressed interest in investment in Malaysia, and are currently in negotiations with the Malaysian Government, or have submitted applications to MIDA for project approval(s); and
- Existing investors: Investors who have a track record of investments in Malaysia and ownership of companies registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (“CCM”), but are not employed by any company in Malaysia.2
Malaysia’s existing (Short Term) Social Visit Pass permits travellers to perform select work-related activities during their visit to Malaysia, including to make site visits and attend business meetings. According to MIDA’s “
A Guide for Investors on Investor Pass”, the Investor Pass differs from the existing (Short Term) Social Visit Pass in the following aspects:
| Investor Pass |
(Short Term) Social Visit Pass |
| Multiple-entry visa (MEV) |
Single-entry visa (SEV) |
| Granted for six months at a time (up to 12 months) |
Granted for 30-90 days (depending on the applicant’s nationality) |
| For business or investment purposes only |
To perform social activities such as tourism, visiting relatives but permits select business-related activities such as attending meetings, site visits, signing agreements, audits, carrying out surveys for investment purposes |
Twelve points to note in relation to the Investor Pass are as follows:
- What are the criteria to be fulfilled to qualify for the Investor Pass?
An applicant must satisfy the following eight criteria to qualify for the Investor Pass:
- Minimum age - 18 years and above;
- Immigration status – Must not be on the Suspect List or Blacklist (SLBL) of the Immigration Department of Malaysia (“Immigration Department”);
- Security clearance – Must not have a criminal record under the Royal Malaysia Police’s Security Clearance (BRI);
- Employment status - Must be currently employed by a company registered in their country of origin;
- Purpose of travel - Must be travelling for business purposes only;
- Pass status – Must not hold any Long-Term Pass issued by the Immigration Department;
- Passport Validity - Passport must have a validity period of not less than six months; and
- Employment Restriction - Not allowed to engage in any employment activities in Malaysia.
- Who can be considered for the Investor Pass?
Business owners / founders / directors / shareholders / C-Suite (investment decision makers / persons in managerial positions may apply to be considered for the Investor Pass.
- Can an investor apply while in Malaysia?
No – applicants must be outside of Malaysia at the time of application.
- What types of business can be undertaken under the Investor Pass?
All economic sectors are allowed, save for those listed as negative sectors by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (MDTCL).
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- How does one apply for the Investor Pass?
The Investor Pass can be applied for through the Expatriate Services Division’s (ESD) Xpats Gateway.
MIDA will issue the support letter for the application, while the Immigration Department is responsible for approval of the pass, subject to compliance with the latest government criteria and guidelines.
The application for a MIDA support letter must be submitted to Xpats Gateway at least seven days prior to the applicant’s departure date from the port of embarkation.
- What is the validity duration of an Investor Pass?
Six months from date of issuance, with the option to extend for a further six months subject to the applicant’s justifications and requirements. No further extension will be granted.
- What are the documents required for MIDA to consider issuing a support letter to a potential investor applying for an Investor Pass?
| No. |
Documents |
Type of Investor |
| New Investor |
Investor in Pipeline |
Existing Investor |
| 1 |
Official invitation from a ministry, government agency; or Registration of Company in Malaysia |
Optional |
Optional |
Optional |
| 2 |
Copy of passport (all pages including front & back pages) with 12 months’ validity |
√ |
√ |
√ |
| 3 |
Certificate of Incorporation of parent company |
√ |
√ |
n.a. |
| 4 |
Latest audited financial statements of parent company |
n.a. |
√ |
n.a. |
| 5 |
Confirmation document from MIDA Regional Offices / Malaysian Embassy / High Commission or Consulate General |
n.a. |
Optional |
n.a. |
| 6 |
CCM Company Profile |
n.a. |
n.a. |
√ |
| 7 |
Other documents |
Optional |
Optional |
Optional |
- What is the processing time for the Investor Pass?
Five working days:
- MIDA support letter – three working days;
- Immigration approval – two working days.
- If a company registered in Malaysia offers a foreign individual a permanent job, can the individual enter the country with the Investor Pass?
No. The Malaysian company offering the job must apply for an Employment Pass for the foreign individual. The foreign individual must remain outside the country while the application is processed.
It is however possible for the Investor Pass to be converted into an Employment Pass or other long-term passes issued by the Immigration Department, if applicable.
- Are there any processing fees for the Investor Pass application?
There are no applicable charges for the MIDA support letter.
Final approval by the Immigration Department will involve the following two stages of processing fees:
- MYXpats Centre – RM1,296 (inclusive of 8% SST); and
- Immigration Department – RM500 + issuance of pass RM90 + Visa fee (ranging from RM6 to RM50, depending on the applicant’s nationality).
The processing fees paid to MYXPats Centre is non-refundable but no further fee is payable to reapply on a rejected application.
Immigration processing fees are not payable if the application is rejected by the Immigration Department.
- Is the holder of an Investor Pass allowed to bring along his/ her spouse and dependants?
No, an Investor Pass holder is not allowed to bring his/ her spouse or dependants. The spouse and dependants can enter Malaysia using the existing Social Visit Pass (SVP single entry) and may only remain in Malaysia in accordance with the requirements of the same.
- Does the Investor Pass apply throughout Malaysia?
No, the Investor Pass is only applicable to Peninsular Malaysia. Travel to Sabah and Sarawak is subject to immigration regulations of those States.
Article by Sara Lau (Partner) of the Employment Law Practice and Faith Chan (Associate) of the Corporate Practice of Skrine.
2 The “existing investor” category is only available to the manufacturing and selected services sector, which is subject to MIDA approval
3 Distributive trade sectors not available to foreign business operators include the following non-exhaustive list: (a) supermarket/ mini market; (b) provision shop/ general vendor; (c) newsagent and miscellaneous goods store; (d) medical hall (inclined towards alternative medicines and general dry foodstuff; (e) fuel station; (f) permanent wet market; (g) permanent pavement store; (h) National Strategic Interest; and (i) non-exclusive textile, food and beverage and jewellery shops.
This alert contains general information only. It does not constitute legal advice nor an expression of legal opinion and should not be relied upon as such. For further information, kindly contact skrine@skrine.com.