How to move to Malaysia and get citizenship in 2021

Standard of living in Malaysia

Experts have long ceased to classify Malaysia as a third world country. In this country, the standard of living is much higher than that of its Asian neighbors. Foreigners are encouraged to decide to immigrate to Malaysia by its developed infrastructure, vibrant labor market filled with vacancies, tolerance of local residents and fairly low prices compared to Europe.

The minimum wage from January 2021 has been approved by the government at 1,100 Malaysian ringgit, which corresponds to 267.44 US dollars. As for the average monthly payment, the highest rates in the country are demonstrated by the capital of the state, Kuala Lumpur. On average, citizens working there receive about $1,000. In other cities, the average salary ranges from $400 to $700.

Prices in Malaysia for food and housing are higher than in Thailand or Vietnam, but significantly lower than in Europe. Migrants do not deny themselves the pleasure of renting a three-room apartment with a swimming pool somewhere in the suburbs for only $800 a month. A one-room apartment in the center of the capital will cost 500-600 dollars; in other cities of the country, equivalent housing can be found for a price from 200 to 400 dollars.

Gasoline in Malaysia is cheaper than in Russia. Therefore, all types of transport are popular. The cost of a taxi is 50-70 cents per 1 km, one trip by bus costs $0.60.

Malaysians pay an average of $40 per month for the Internet; mobile communications cost $0.06 per minute.

What's good about Malaysia: why you should go here

The country is very open to expats. Every list I've seen of the "Best Cities in the World for Expats" has Kuala Lumpur on it. And that’s why it’s strange that it’s not popular among Russian nomads.

Almost everyone here speaks English. I have never met a person who did not speak at all. It happens when you don’t quite understand a person, or they don’t quite understand you. But everyone says! I constantly speak with couriers; my wife does all her work in English. Signs, websites, news are often dubbed in English. It is incredibly easy to live without the local language (here it is Bahasa, Malay), even easier than in Cyprus.

There is freedom to look however you want. You can even walk around the city in a swimsuit. There is no feeling that you might look somehow wrong. Despite the fact that the country is Muslim, and, say, marriage issues for Muslims are dealt with by the Sharia court. And this court has primacy over the secular court. But, fortunately, this does not apply to expats. Do what you want.

You can fly to the islands for a swim.
Ticket prices are ridiculous. We flew to the island of Langkawi for New Year. There is very cheap alcohol and cheap food. Duty free, spread over the entire island. With the sea, the jungle, various excursions. So, round trip tickets for two cost €20. We paid more for a taxi to the airport! In Langkawi
Anyone who has traveled around Southeast Asia probably knows the company Air Asia. They have a center in Kuala Lumpur. The city is the largest flight hub. From here it’s great to fly wherever you want. You can go anywhere in Southeast Asia for the weekend. Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, China. Even Japan and New Zealand.

In addition, domestic tourism is developed. Malaysia is divided into Western and Eastern. The first part of the country is on the continent, the second part is islands. The large island of Borneo, thousands of small islands. Tioman Island is one of the best for snorkeling. Fish, corals, super clear water. All this costs pennies: the flight is around €20 one way, and the hotels are cheaper than Turkey.

There are beautiful mountains, there are interesting cities. Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to visit them. Quarantine. I just study them from pictures and Google Maps. Restrictions have been lifted once for the New Year so far.

Malaysia has a low cost of living. Before we moved, my wife’s English teacher, a British man, talked about how you could live well here on $1,000 a month. We can’t do this right now, though, there are more requests. But in general, a very decent 1-room apartment in a condo near the center of the capital, with a free swimming pool and gym, costs from €300 (here are a bunch of examples). You will have a barbecue area, a meeting room (a large room for parties with friends), a squash room and so on.

Personally, we rent a 1-bedroom, but it is quite large, 90 m2. And it costs €600 per month. But this is the very center. You can look at the Petronas Towers from the bathroom, lying in the bathtub. At the same time, a little further from the center, 15 minutes from us, our friends rent for €300. The same wonderful condo, with an infinity pool on the roof, with a beautiful view.

True, you need to pay extra for the services. We pay €25 for internet and €40 for electricity (we have 4 air conditioners and ceiling fans running all the time). Compared to Cyprus, this is nothing at all. And the Internet will be more expensive everywhere than in Russia, I’m already used to it.

Delicious and inexpensive food. For €3 a day you can at least gorge yourself on rice and chicken. If you periodically want European products (cheeses, sausages), it will be a little more expensive. Their prices are approximately European. Jamon is a little more expensive than it was in Cyprus.

Lots of good products from Japan. We most often buy them from the Japanese supermarket Isenan. Full of real sushi (by the way, it turned out that sushi with crab sticks is quite normal, and not just a Russian invention). This is where I tried Wagyu steak for the first time, which is really very tender meat. And here it’s also quite affordable: rice with curry and wagyu costs from €8.

The kitchen is a huge part of life here. There is a lot of food, it is very varied, there are many things that you wouldn’t really try outside of Southeast Asia. For example, there are chips that are made from fried fish skin. They are called fish skin. Quite tasty. Sold in packs like regular chips. There is fried lotus root, served with noodles or rice. There is salted egg, a very thick, pleasant sauce made from egg yolk. It’s surprising that I’ve never met him before in my life.

Almost everywhere there are prayer rooms. There are about as many of them at airports as there are toilets. I see it all the time in shopping centers and parks. And they are also divided into male and female.

The city has many mosques, Catholic cathedrals, and the Anglican Church.
All very beautiful historical buildings. And this is me renting an area in KL.
There is a huge park within the city limits. And in it there is a smaller park, with butterflies. And ponds with huge koi carps. Very beautiful: red, white, with dots. There, next to it, there is a bird park, it’s like a real jungle. At a height of 20 meters, a mesh is stretched there, creating a dome. And under this dome there live many birds. There is a clearing with deer, an orchid garden. And when we were walking out of this park, we had a sudden meeting with a monitor lizard. He sat right on our path and then ran away.

The country is in many ways the opposite of Cyprus. If Cyprus was a large village, then Malaysia is a metropolis. Services and e-commerce are well developed here. Lots of apps for anything. The government itself has released more than thirty applications. One of them is checking QR codes in supermarkets to track Covid.

There is a Lazada store, a marketplace similar to AliExpress. It became popular in Southeast Asia, and they were eventually bought by Alibaba. Inside Lazada there are official stores of Samsung, Garmin, Sony, this is a very cool platform. It has a lot of local competitors, including Shoppy, which, as they say, has already outgrown it. The atmosphere of startups is vibrant, sometimes it feels like you are in Silicon Valley.

Malaysia is an oil country. Quite a large oil exporter. The most famous local towers, Petronas, were built by an oil company. And so, surprisingly, it turns out that it may be that the country produces oil, and your gasoline is cheap! It costs less than 50 cents per liter here.

The result is cheap taxis. My wife goes to work every day. The trip takes 15 minutes and costs €1-€2. You can get anywhere in the city for a maximum of €5.

Public transport is well developed. There is a monorail, which delights me every time, the most aesthetic form of transport. They ride on overpasses over roads. There is a metro, beautiful buses, including double-deckers.

Lots of cultural events. Again, unlike Cyprus. A huge number of museums and exhibitions. Clubs, bars, concerts, jazz bars, a large philharmonic society, a lot of cinemas. A ticket to the cinema costs €1-€2, the halls are very cozy, there are sofas, they give you blankets to cover yourself with.

Pros and cons of emigrating to Malaysia from Russia

Everyday life in Malaysia has its positive and negative sides, which people who are planning to move for permanent residence should be aware of from the very beginning. Otherwise, instead of comfort and self-realization, they risk getting disappointment and negative experience.

Pros of moving

The main advantages of living in Malaysia include:

1. No language barrier. Emigration will not cause newcomers problems with adaptation. They don't need to dive into complex Asian dialects. Almost the entire population of the country speaks English.
2. Modern cities with high-quality infrastructure. Malaysia boasts skyscrapers, high-speed trains and metro lines.
3. Active labor market. Finding a job is not difficult for Russians, especially if they have an education, some practical experience and speak English.
4. The friendliness of the population. Local residents are very tolerant towards visitors. They are ready to help and are always friendly and well disposed.
5. Low prices on electronics and household appliances. Equipment and electronics produced by local factories are affordable for any resident or guest of the country.
6. Correctness of drivers on the road. Unlike other Asian countries, road traffic in Malaysia is strictly subject to approved rules, and all drivers strictly follow them.
7. Safety. The criminal situation in the country is quite calm. Residents and tourists can safely walk the streets at any time. Alcohol is very expensive in Malaysia, so the chances of meeting drunk people are very low. But you should still keep an eye on your bags and wallets to avoid becoming a victim of a pickpocket.

Cons of moving

Among the disadvantages, migrants from Russia unanimously include:

1. Dirt in cities. You can find rats near garbage dumps. Litter and unpleasant odors on the streets are common in most Asian countries, including Malaysia.
2. Smog from fires. Troubles for residents are caused by smoke from regularly burned old palm plantations. Sometimes the smog comes from neighboring Indonesia, where forest fires often occur.
3. Bad roads. The quality of roads in Malaysia leaves much to be desired, although this is unlikely to scare the Russians.
4. A unique cuisine. Immigration to Malaysia is complicated for many by the need to get used to local dishes. The range of products and the large number of spices used by chefs are not to the taste of all Europeans. Bread, which is familiar to Russians, is exotic in the country.
5. Difficulties in acquiring citizenship. Not all migrants are ready to say goodbye to their current citizenship. But Malaysia does not recognize the presence of two passports and does not make exceptions for anyone. Therefore, immigrants may have problems with the last stage of legalization.

Do Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians and citizens of Kazakhstan need a visa to Malaysia?

Most foreigners, including citizens of the former USSR republics, can freely enter Malaysia and spend a whole month in it. This regime is often called a visa-free regime, although, to be precise, a visa is still issued upon arrival and according to a simplified procedure.

Checkpoints where passport control is carried out are located at seaports, international airports and at land border crossings with neighboring countries.

Rules for entry without a visa

Arriving foreigners must present:

1. A passport with a minimum validity of 7 months (one month of travel plus a six-month supply).
2. Tickets for departure from Malaysia on a date no later than the permitted period of stay. If the ticket is to a third country, then an open visa of that country with a mandatory visa exchange.
3. Cash for a month's living: $500 in cash, traveler's checks or on a bank card is considered a sufficient amount.
4. A migration card, which is filled out at the checkpoint or on the way on an airplane or on a passenger ship.

On travel forums it is noted that the last two conditions are not always and not everywhere required. The matter is left to the discretion of the immigration officer. After checking their documents, foreigners submit their fingerprints to a special scanner, receive an authorization stamp in their passport, and with it the opportunity to live and move within Malaysia at their own discretion. They have no right to study, work or do business.

Sample of filling out a migration card

If a month is not enough

There are two legal renewal options. The first is at the immigration office, the second is with short-term departure from the country and re-entry. Both methods are used by foreigners with varying degrees of success.

The Immigration Office must be contacted in advance to apply for an extension, providing valid reasons. Office employees have the right to extend the period for an additional month, but may refuse based on their internal instructions. If a foreigner is lucky, he will receive a Special Pass - a certificate with a date until which he can stay in the country.

The Immigration Service accepts applications for visas and extensions of stay

Refusals to renew are not uncommon; knowing this, many foreigners choose the second method. For example, Russians have visa-free entry to Thailand, which borders Malaysia. You can check out and return the next day for a month's stay. The option seems simple and reliable; there is even a special term “visa run” from the English Visa run. But there are some peculiarities.

The applicant’s passport already contains a note about recent entry and exit, his name is listed in the border service database, so it is not recommended to abuse the “visa-run” procedure in order to avoid being included in the lists of undesirable persons.

Russians living in Malaysia do not recommend organizing a “visa run” more than once a year. If you like the country and want to live and work in it, you need to obtain permission from the immigration authorities through other legal procedures.

Sanctions for late

Durations of stay must be respected; violators face heavy fines for each day overstayed and are subject to deportation. If a delay occurs, it is recommended to report to the immigration office with purchased tickets to leave Malaysia. In this case, the fine is $10 for each day if the delay is less than a month. Anyone who has stayed illegally for a month will pay $1,000 plus additional sanctions at the discretion of the authorities.

Obtaining a residence permit in Malaysia

Russians can emigrate to Malaysia for several reasons:

1. Marriage.
2. Job.
3. Business.
4. Education.
5. Investments under the MM2N program.

The term “residence permit”, which is familiar to Russians, is not used by Malaysian laws. Instead of a residence permit, foreigners are offered visas of varying durations. Some of which are issued for up to 10 years.

Marriage to a Malaysian citizen

Allows a foreign spouse to stay in the country for 6 months. During this time, he must apply for approval of a residence permit. The permit is usually issued for 5 years, after which you can apply for permanent residence and then apply for citizenship. The basis for legalization is marriage documents.

Jobs in Malaysia

Many vacancies are available to migrants. White-skinned Europeans are especially in demand in the tourism and service sectors. You can only work on the basis of a work visa. All permitting documents are usually prepared by the employing company. The future employee must provide:

• Certificate from home about no criminal record;
• International passport;
• Photograph;
• Diploma;
• Evidence of financial solvency.

The employee receives a residence permit for 1 year, which can be extended by submitting an application 3 months before the expiration date.

Studying at an educational institution

Malaysian universities are very popular among foreigners. Branches of many famous world universities are based in this country, including those from the USA, England and Australia. Admission to the course is based on the results of examination tests. Based on a certificate from the university, a foreigner can apply for a student visa.

In addition to the certificate for this purpose, he will need:

• International passport;
• Questionnaire;
• Certificate or diploma;
• Invitation from the university;
• Color photos;
• TOEFL or IELTS certificate.

The validity of a student visa is 1 year. Before it ends, you can apply to the immigration service for an extension.

Investments

Another way to move to Malaysia is through investment activities. The foreigner is required to open a bank account and place a deposit of US$2 million. The law sets the minimum deposit validity period at 5 years. Until this time, the investor himself, as well as his family members, live in the country on the basis of a residence permit, after which they can count on receiving permanent resident status.

MM2H program

The government of the country has developed and implemented a special immigration program “Malaysia is my second home.” It allows foreigners to live, buy real estate, open businesses and import cars duty free. The visa is issued for a period of 10 years. To extend the validity of the residence permit for the next 10 years, you need to submit an application for extension 4 months before the expiration date.

This program contains certain conditions:

• Foreigners under 50 years of age must have at least 120 thousand US dollars in their accounts. And another 70 thousand should be deposited in a Malaysian bank. After a year, half of this amount can be used for its intended purpose. For example, spend on education, medicine or housing. The balance of the amount is returned after the end of the program;
• Persons over 50 years old must have 84 thousand dollars at their disposal and additionally receive a monthly income of at least 2.4 thousand. You need to put 36 thousand in a Malaysian bank, half of which can also be spent in a year on treatment, education or housing.

The minimum period of validity of a residence permit is 6 months, the maximum is 10 years. Applications from foreigners are considered individually in each case, so there is no clear deadline established by law. You can expect approval from 3 weeks to several months.

To obtain a visa, foreigners will have to pay a fee and consular fee in the following amounts:

How and why to stay for permanent residence in Kuala Lumpur?

We all dream of living in a warm country with the opportunity to travel for next to nothing. Is it true? Where can this be implemented? Let's turn our attention to the completely unremarkable (at first glance) country of Malaysia. Maybe not everyone will be able to point out this country on the map or remember the famous Petronas Towers.

But Malaysia, with its capital in Kuala Lumpur, is currently the most harmoniously developing country in terms of price-quality ratio in Southeast Asia.
So, why do you need permanent residence? There are several reasons : so that you can swim in the pool and go to the sauna every day in your own home, so that you can enjoy a temperature of 27-30 degrees Celsius all year round, so that you can fly around the whole of Southeast Asia without any problems, so that you have endless choice for dinner restaurants from Japanese cuisine to Arabic, so that English becomes your native language and so that the Chinese and Indians turn into family and friends for you. But let's start with the bad news: you will never get permanent residence. However, you can stay here for 5 years or more on various visas. Let's consider the options. 1. You can find a partner for family ties, but you will have to convert to Islam, wear a veil and pray 5 times on Friday. But if you suddenly suddenly decide, without waiting two years, that you are tired of all this, unfortunately, you will be deprived of your Malaysian citizenship. But in truth, only the Malays practice Islam. So you can calmly place your bets on attractive Indians and Chinese of Malaysian origin, whose love is not conditioned by the adoption of any religion. And as the law says, you will have to renounce Russian citizenship for the sake of rice and palm trees, because Malaysia prohibits having two citizenships. 2. The option that almost all Europeans use in Malaysia. Just grab a one-way ticket, go to jobstreet.com and find a job. As practice shows, if you have an active lifestyle, you can find a job in 2-3 weeks. There is a catastrophic shortage of doctors, programmers, and engineers here. There is a great demand for these specialties; if you have this education, you will probably be able to complete it in one week. Apart from this, there are some conditions for immigration police, you must have at least three years of work experience and be at least 27 years old. In fact, even 23-year-olds found work here and received long-awaited work visas. The bonus of a one-way ticket is that you can legally obtain a work visa right inside Malaysia, without the need to leave the country and apply for it at the embassy, ​​as, for example, in Europe. 3. The next option is suitable for either the rich or the smart. You can open your own company, where the authorized capital must be at least 35 million ringgit (8 million dollars), and count as a plus the total company registration fees of 1,400 ringgit (330 dollars). IT businesses receive a special bonus; this is already an option for the smart ones. Malaysia Super Corridor - www.mscmalaysia.my - a program for lightweight startup IT companies that are exempt from taxes in the first few years; only foreigners can be on staff. For example, you and all your classmates. The procedure for obtaining work visas will be simplified for all employees. 4. If you are still young and enthusiastic about studying, you can go to Malaysia for higher education. The first impression of this offer may be shocking, but we will let you in on a secret. The fact is that in Malaysia there are branches of foreign universities: the British University of Nottingham, the Australian Monash University or the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology with the main campus in Malaysia, but with branches in Botswana, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Swaziland and England. The bonus of studying here is that you pay half as much for education as at the main campus, save on accommodation, but receive a certificate from the original university and get a job at the Pentagon or the UN with your top diplomas. But, unfortunately, guys, you will have to take IELTS before admission. 5. If you are still young and have absolutely no enthusiasm for studying, it doesn’t matter. If you have a five or six year old who is definitely more enthusiastic about learning than you are, use the child. You can easily move to Malaysia on the pretext of attending your child's school. Typically, guardianship visas for parents are issued by English schools, which are quite expensive, but a child visa works for you. Here are some examples of schools: Alice Smith International School, Australian International School, British School, Garden International School and others. Invest in children! 5. The two previous options were for the young and energetic, but this one is suitable for people who are already established and want to settle down. Malaysia is convenient because if you have the financial resources, you can live there permanently. The government of the country has created a special program for foreigners “Malaysia My Second Home”. Let's divide those who want to emigrate into two age groups: under 50 years old and after 50 years old. First group: you must have a fireproof amount of 500,000 ringgit on your card for 3 months and regular receipts on the card in the amount of 10,000 ringgit per month. Second group: fireproof amount of 350,000 ringgit and monthly receipts on the card are also 10,000 ringgit per month. What is the bonus from the program? You are given a visa for 10 years! And if you bought real estate, you also get a discount (real estate for foreigners in Kuala Lumpur is not sold for less than 1 million ringgit). You can bring your unmarried and/or unmarried child under 21 years of age under this program (you will have to take care of his discretion in advance). But if suddenly your offspring decides to study, he will have to change his visa to a student one and lose the opportunity to stay in the country for 10 years. Well, or you'll have to be cunning somehow. But this is at your own peril and risk. To understand where you are going, here are some prices as an example:

• today the salary for expats is not lower than 5,000 ringgit (79 thousand rubles), this level is set by the state;
• the cost of renting a studio with a bedroom in the city center is 2500-3000 ringgit;
• The average price for local street food is 8 ringgit, in a restaurant - 50 ringgit;
• flight to Phuket 200 ringgit, Hong Kong 400 ringgit, domestic flight up to 100 ringgit;
• full-time nanny (house help) - 1600 ringgit;
• Utility fee - 500-700 ringgit.

It seems that all the cards are revealed, and there are no other possible options yet, but this is enough to take the first step towards your dream.
And whatever stereotypes you may have about palm trees and crocodiles, remember that Malaysia is at the peak of development, with great prospects and a bright future. Facebook

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Ways to Obtain Malaysian Citizenship in 2021

Malaysian citizenship is very difficult to obtain. Today, there are only a few grounds that allow foreigners to apply for a passport of this country:

1. By blood.
2. By birth.
3. By marriage.
4. By naturalization.

Although these methods exist, not all of them are used in practice and not always.

By blood and by birth

This method of obtaining citizenship is the most reliable, but it is not suitable for foreigners. Only a child born to Malaysian parents can claim it. In this case, the place of birth of the child does not matter. If the baby only has a Malaysian mother, it is better for him to be born in Malaysia. Otherwise, he will receive the citizenship of his foreign father.

If the baby was born in Malaysia and from a Malaysian mother, but she was not legally married, he will no longer be able to apply for citizenship by birth.

By marriage

On this basis, only women married to Malaysian men can expect to receive citizenship. They will have to live as a temporary resident for 5 years, then obtain permanent residence and only after that apply for a passport. In doing so, they must:

• believe in Islam,
• master the local language at the required level;
• Renounce your current citizenship.

There is one more nuance. If the marriage fails within two years of a foreign spouse receiving a Malaysian passport, she will be stripped of her hard-won citizenship.

By naturalization

The procedure for naturalization of foreigners is provided for by Malaysian legislation, but in practice it is almost never applied. The main conditions are:

• Permanent residence in the country for 10 years out of the previous 12. Moreover, in the last year the applicant for citizenship is prohibited from leaving;
• Age over 21 years.

Reasons for receiving

Malaysian legislation allows for citizenship on a limited number of grounds. These are the right of blood and birth, as well as marriage to a Malaysian and naturalization. There are ways, but in reality they almost never work, with the exception of marriage. Judging by the reviews, it is easier to get a Swiss passport or another country in the world than a Malaysian one. Almost none of the Russians who moved have citizenship.

The principle of residence is sufficient, which comes into force after approximately 6–7 years of stay in the country (depending on the category).

By right of birth or descent

This method is obviously not suitable for Russian citizens. The right is reserved for children born to Malaysians. The baby's country of birth does not matter if the father is Malaysian. If the father is a foreigner and the child was born outside Malaysia, the baby will be assigned the citizenship of the father. Children born in Malaysia to a native woman who was not legally married will not be given citizenship by birthright.

As a result of marriage

There is a dependence on gender here. A woman from the Russian Federation can register a marriage with a Malaysian, but this requires converting to Islam. Further, he can apply for citizenship, but if he gets divorced within two years, his status will be revoked. You will definitely have to give up your Russian passport. The rules of the program indicate that after marriage, the Malaysian spouse must live in the country for 5 years on the basis of a Long Term Visit Pass, after which they fill out an application to change the status of Surat Akuan Perkahwinan using the form, indicating their husband as a sponsor. You need to imagine in advance life among people in an Islamic country who greatly respect the concept of “my home” and adhere to certain rules of decency on the streets.

In a situation where a marriage is registered between a Malaysian woman and a citizen of the Russian Federation, the latter will not be given citizenship. Only long-term visa with the possibility of extension.

Family reunification

One of the options for those who have a child 5 - 6 years old. Having chosen to study for your child in a school in Malaysia, you can move to the country on this basis. The guardianship visa, which is issued to parents by English schools, is relatively expensive, but you can legally live in the country and look for other options to stay for a longer period. At this time, children receive a high level of knowledge of the English language and integrate into society.

Investments and business

There is a program for investors under which they need to invest 2 million US dollars in a local bank without the right to withdraw for 5 years. The investor's spouse and children need to live in Malaysia for these 5 years to obtain permanent residence.

The authorities are open to foreigners who decide to organize a business here. The most interesting areas concern the export of rubber, tourism, sales of electronics and household appliances, as well as palm oil and timber. To open a company, you need to have funds for the authorized capital in the amount of $11 million. A prerequisite is 2 directors in the company, one of whom is a resident of Malaysia.

Refugee status

Russians should not choose such a program from Malaysia, since the situation in the Russian Federation is not so difficult and dangerous, and the country is not so small that it is impossible to move from its problems to another region with a different standard of living and security.

By naturalization

Naturalization is prescribed in migration legislation, but in practice it is hardly used. Conditions for candidates:

• have lived permanently in Malaysia for 10 out of the last 12 years. You are not allowed to leave the country during the year of application;
• The applicant's age at the time of submission of documents is 21 years or older.

On the forums there are reviews from foreigners from Russia and other countries who, even after 20 years of living and having children in Malaysia, cannot obtain citizenship for themselves and their descendants. Officials take advantage of the vagueness of the wording (thanks to the author of the laws) and find a lot of reasons to postpone consideration or refuse. That is why, when moving, it is worth considering different options for living in the country.

Purchase of real estate

Those wishing to buy a home in Malaysia can do so easily if they have sufficient funds. The minimum cost of a residential property should be from 217 thousand dollars in Kuala Lumpur (the capital), about half that in other cities and villages. Property owners are allowed to apply for a residence permit. In each region, the amounts and procedures are different; it is worth checking the details locally.

In-Demand Occupations in Malaysia for Immigrant Jobs

Work for Russians in Malaysia is represented in several areas:

1. IT industry. Here we need: programmers, web designers, software developers.
2. Medicine. Doctors of various specializations and nursing staff are in demand.
3. Tourism. Employers are looking for hotel workers and tour guides.
4. Public catering. Waiters, administrators and managers in restaurants find work without any problems.
5. Education. Mainly required are English language teachers.
6. Architecture.
7. Oil refining industry. Engineers and technologists are waiting here.
8. Finance and banks. Credit organizations are willing to hire financiers, economists, and operators.
9. Model business. Blue-eyed blondes of European appearance are in demand on Bollywood film sets.
10. Service sector. It is not difficult to find a job as a nanny or caregiver.

Average salaries in Malaysia for immigrants

Moving to Malaysia is often associated with high salaries that employers are willing to pay to foreign specialists. Russians who get a job in Malaysia receive an average income much higher than what they are guaranteed in their homeland.

Obtaining a work visa to Malaysia

To find employment, a foreigner needs a work visa, but obtaining one also involves certain difficulties. To protect the interests of their own citizens, the country's authorities consider each request on an individual basis.

Specialists who have an in-demand profession, are highly qualified, or can offer the employer skills that the local working population does not have can count on approval of their application.

To obtain a work visa, a foreigner must provide:

• Your civil passport;
• Contract with the employer;
• Three photographs measuring 3 by 4 cm;
• Cover letter from Malaysian sponsor.

The employer himself submits an application to the migration service. The wait for a decision usually takes about a month. Once approval from the Employment Department is received, the employer must:

1. Hand over the employee's documents.
2. Pay the fee and fee for obtaining a work visa.
3. Provide your own license allowing you to operate.

You must apply to extend your work permit no later than 4 months before your current visa expires. If a foreigner decides to change employer, he must leave Malaysia to re-enter its territory and initiate a new paperwork procedure.

Prices in Malaysia for main groups of goods

Many Russians are interested in prices for food and essential goods. To understand whether they are expensive or cheap, it should be said that the currency of Malaysia is the ringgit, and its exchange rate is approximately 15 Russian rubles.