Kuala lumpur: The issuance of entry permits to foreign nationals does not affect the interests of Malaysians as approvals are granted only to qualified individuals who meet strict criteria under immigration laws, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He stated that entry permit approvals are guided by the Immigration Order 1963 Schedule for individuals possessing professional qualifications or specific expertise, provided that local talent and manpower are not adversely affected.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saifuddin emphasized that the presence of foreign professionals through the entry permit mechanism adds value by allowing local talent to learn from their skills. He assured that their entry does not undermine local talent and simultaneously contributes to the country's economic interests. Entry permits must comply with strict criteria that positively contribute to high-impact sectors in Malaysia.
During the Minister's Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat, Saifuddin responded to a supplementary question from Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) regarding the government's measures to align entry permit policies with the nation's strategic workforce needs, particularly in high-impact and critical sectors. Regarding Manndzri's original question on the latest status of entry permit reforms, Saifuddin revealed that 15,081 applications had been approved out of 19,205 backlog cases from 2013 to 2023. The remaining applications were rejected but may submit appeals.
Saifuddin also mentioned that 98 percent of 5,628 appeal cases from 2020 to 2024 had been resolved following instructions for all outstanding appeals to be decided this year. New reforms include shortening the marriage duration requirement for wives of Malaysian citizens from five years to three years before they may apply for entry permits.
On the topic of digitalisation, Saifuddin noted that the existing myIMMs system, in use since 2013, is now outdated and will be replaced with the National Integrated Immigration System, which is being implemented in phases. This new system aims to reduce manual processes and enhance transparency and the efficiency of immigration service delivery.