Gifted expats to get 10-year resident pass

By The Star

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will be introducing a resident pass for highly-skilled expatriates who wish to live and work in the country on a long-term basis.

The pass is also for those who were originally from Malaysia but are no longer citizens, and their children.

The Immigration Department should begin receiving applications for the pass by April 1, at the latest.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that unlike an employment pass, the bearer of the new pass will not be tied to an employer.

“And it can be issued for a period of 10 years,” he said, adding the duration could be renewed.

“Spouses of resident pass holders can also seek employment in Malaysia. We welcome highly-skilled foreign talent who are able to work with us in driving Malaysia’s economic transformation,” Najib said when launching Talent Corporation Malaysia.

He said many Malaysians, including fashion icon Datuk Jimmy Choo and Prof Danny Quah, who is department head and economics professor at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science, have achieved international success while working abroad.

Najib also announced that the Government would allow selected students in the Public Service Department’s (PSD) scholarship programme to serve their bond outside the civil service.