Malaysia has recently eased visa restrictions to attract foreign investment and residency, yet challenges persist for foreign spouses, particularly those of Chinese nationality, in obtaining permanent residency. Despite residing in Malaysia for years and establishing familial ties, many face obstacles in the application process. Investigating the issue, Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Seoow Juin Yee delves into the complexities of Malaysia’s immigration policies.
The Malaysian government’s relaxation of visa regulations aims to promote foreign investment and residency. However, the path to permanent residency remains arduous for foreign spouses, especially those of Chinese origin.
Chinese spouses residing in Malaysia have voiced frustrations over difficulties in renewing their residence permits and navigating the cumbersome process of applying for permanent residency. Despite contributing to the Malaysian society, they encounter hurdles in securing long-term residency status.
The influx of Chinese migrants to Malaysia, driven by China’s economic growth, has resulted in a significant population residing in the country. Among them are approximately 6,000 Chinese spouses, as estimated by Ngeow Chow Bing, Director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya.
Language barriers exacerbate the challenges faced by Chinese spouses seeking permanent residency. Ngeow highlights the unfriendly policies towards foreign spouses, emphasizing the grievances faced by Chinese individuals in Malaysia.
One such individual, Liu Yi, narrates her decade-long struggle. Originally from Chongqing, China, Liu settled in Kuala Lumpur in 2004 for studies and later married a Malaysian citizen. Despite fulfilling the residency requirements, her application for permanent residency languished for seven years before being ultimately rejected in July 2023. Liu’s case underscores the frustrations experienced by many Chinese spouses in Malaysia.
Furthermore, the process of obtaining visas for Chinese spouses remains unpredictable and subject to official discretion. Chen, a businessman, recounts the challenges his Chinese wife faces in renewing her visa, highlighting the arbitrary nature of visa validity and document requirements.
Additionally, divorce poses further complications for foreign spouses, particularly regarding child custody. Huang Bin, Secretary of the Malaysia China Welfare Advisory Society, notes the disadvantages faced by Chinese spouses in custody disputes due to their precarious residency status.
Despite recent bilateral agreements between Malaysia and China to ease visa restrictions, challenges persist for Chinese spouses seeking permanent residency. Liu reflects on the discrepancy between Malaysia’s welcoming stance towards foreigners and its harsh policies towards foreign spouses, lamenting the increasing difficulty of her life post-marriage to a Malaysian citizen.
Responding to criticisms, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Shamsul Anuar Nasarah asserts that there are no delays in permanent residency approvals. However, disparities persist, with statistics revealing a stark difference in citizenship grants between Chinese and other nationalities.
Shamsul Anuar emphasizes the application conditions for citizenship, yet underscores that approval is not guaranteed. The Ministry of Home Affairs aims to streamline the application process and address misconceptions, signaling efforts to improve the immigration system’s efficiency and transparency.