Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted by someone who is a Malaysian citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Live in Malaysia
The pass lets you live in Malaysia for its validity period, ordinarily five years.
Study in Malaysia
You can study in Malaysia without changing to another pass, but may need approvals from the relevant authorities.
Work in Malaysia
You can work or start a business without changing to another pass, but may need approvals from the relevant authorities.
An employer must get employment approval before hiring a holder.
Travel in and out
You can travel in and out of Malaysia with the required visa and pass arrangements.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your immigration office
Find the nearest immigration office where you and your sponsor can hand in your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Malaysia immigration office near your city accepts Residence Pass Category 3 applications?”
Download the application form
Download Form IMM 16A, the Application for Residence Pass.
Download the formFill in the form
Fill in and sign the application form. Your sponsor fills in and signs the sponsor’s declaration.
Get help filling it inSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Malaysia Residence Pass Form IMM 16A for an adopted child?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the immigration office.
See required documentsRegister your application online
You can register your Residence Pass application through MyONLINE*Pas Residen. You and your sponsor must still go to the immigration office to hand in the documents.
Register your applicationBook an appointment
If your chosen office requires an appointment, book one through the immigration appointment system.
Book an appointmentHand in your application
Go to your chosen immigration office with your sponsor and hand in your form, photographs, and original documents and copies. Ask the office how it takes applications.
Find submission informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I hand in a Malaysia Residence Pass Category 3 application with my sponsor?”
Pay the fee
Pay when Immigration instructs you to do so. The Residence Pass issuance fee is RM500, and a visa charge may also apply; ask the office how to pay.
Find payment informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Malaysia Residence Pass issuance fee at an immigration office?”
Wait for the decision
Check your application status online and respond if Immigration asks you or your sponsor for more information or documents.
Check your statusGet your Residence Pass
Once your application is approved, follow Immigration’s instructions to attend for your pass to be issued or added to your passport, and pay any outstanding charge. You can then use your Residence Pass to stay in Malaysia.
Find issuance instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get my Malaysia Residence Pass issued after approval?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Adoption documents
Bring a copy of your adoption certificate or the court order confirming your adoption. Have a copy issued outside Malaysia certified by the issuing country's mission in Malaysia, and bring the original.
Parent's identity documents
Bring copies of your adoptive parents' identity documents. Have copies of documents issued outside Malaysia certified by the issuing country's mission in Malaysia, and bring the originals.
Adoptive parents' declaration
Bring a copy of the sworn declaration about your adoptive parents' status. Bring the original too.
Siblings' birth certificates *
Bring copies of your siblings' birth certificates. Have copies of certificates issued outside Malaysia certified by the issuing country's mission in Malaysia, and bring the originals.
* Only if your siblings' records are relevant to your application.
May need apostille/legalisationParents' marriage records *
Bring copies of your adoptive parents' marriage certificate and their sworn declaration of marriage. Have a copy of a certificate issued outside Malaysia certified by the issuing country's mission in Malaysia, and bring the originals.
* Only if your adoptive parents are married.
May need apostille/legalisationSiblings' identity documents *
Bring copies of your siblings' identity cards or passports. Have copies of documents issued outside Malaysia certified by the issuing country's mission in Malaysia, and bring the originals.
* Only if your siblings' records are relevant to your application.
May need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Passport and renewal
You must keep a valid passport or travel document and maintain lawful immigration status.
For renewal, your passport or travel document must have at least six months left.
Renewal is not automatic and depends on the family relationship and status on which your pass is based continuing.
The five-year pass fee is RM500, and a multiple-entry visa fee may also apply depending on your citizenship.
Pass can end
Your pass ends if it expires and is not renewed, or if you give it up.
It can be cancelled if the family relationship or status on which it is based ends, or if you break immigration conditions or are no longer allowed to enter Malaysia.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Mykas/ic hijau/stateless MALAYSIA
Facebook group for people interested in Malaysian visas and citizenship (Malay & English)
Join on FacebookKL EXPATS (Kuala Lumpur/Malaysia)
English Facebook group for people living in Malaysia interested in Malaysian local life
Join on Facebookr/ExpatInMalaysia
English Reddit group for people living in Malaysia interested in Malaysian local life
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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