Citizenship in Malaysia is a process that can be quite confusing and overwhelming. Many different requirements and steps need to be followed to successfully obtain citizenship. However, it is possible to become a Malaysian citizen and this article will outline the necessary steps to take to make that happen.
Brief History About Malaysia
Malaysia is a country located in Southeast Asia. The country is made up of two parts: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. Peninsular Malaysia is the part of the country that is located on the Malay Peninsula, while East Malaysia is located on the island of Borneo. Malaysia has a population of over 30 million people and the official languages of the country are Malay, English, Chinese, and Tamil.
The first inhabitants of Malaysia were the Orang Asli, who are believed to have arrived in the country around 10,000 years ago. Over time, various other groups arrived in Malaysia and these groups included the Malays, Chinese, Indians, and others. In 1826, British colonizers arrived in Malaysia and they established control over the Malay Peninsula. The British remained in control of Malaysia until after World War II when the country became independent.
Since its independence, Malaysia has experienced rapid economic growth and today it is considered to be an upper-middle-income country. The country has also been successful in reducing poverty levels and improving life expectancy. In recent years, there has been an increase in tourism to Malaysia as well as an increase in investment from foreign countries.
Read also: 10 Countries Having the Cheapest Citizenship by Investment
Benefits of Becoming a Malaysian citizen
There are many benefits to becoming a Malaysian citizen:
- Being able to live and work in the country without any restrictions.
- Malaysian citizens have access to free education and healthcare, as well as other social welfare.
- You can vote and stand for public office.
- Malaysian citizenship confers certain privileges, such as exemption from customs duty and visa requirements when traveling to other countries.
Who is Eligible for Malaysian citizenship?
To be eligible for Malaysian citizenship, you must first meet a few basic requirements. You must be at least 18 years of age and of good character. You must also have lived in Malaysia for a minimum of 5 years, although this requirement may be waived if you are married to a Malaysian citizen or if you have parents who are Malaysian citizens.
In addition to these basic requirements, you will also need to pass a citizenship test. This test covers topics such as the history and culture of Malaysia, the Constitution, and other important information. Once you have successfully passed the citizenship test, you will then need to attend an interview with the Malaysian consulate.
After meeting all of these requirements, you can submit your application for Malaysian citizenship. If your application is approved, you will be required to take an Oath of Allegiance and sign a Declaration of Loyalty to the King and Country. Once you have completed these steps, you will officially be a Malaysian citizen!
Read also: Updated Price List on the Cost of Living in Armenia
Different ways of having citizenship in Malaysia
Citizenship in Malaysia can be obtained in several ways. The most common way is by birth, descent, registration, or naturalization.
- Birth:
A person is a Malaysian citizen by birth if he or she was born in the Federation of Malaysia or Singapore before Malaysia’s independence day, which is August 31st, 1957. If you were born after this date, you are a Malaysian citizen if your father was a Malaysian citizen at the time of your birth. If your father was not a Malaysian citizen, you may still be eligible for citizenship if your mother is a Malaysian citizen and was born in Malaysia before 1957.
Descent:
You may be eligible for Malaysian citizenship by descent if you were born outside of Malaysia but have at least one parent who is a Malaysian citizen. To register as a citizen by descent, you will need to provide proof of your parent’s Malaysian citizenship as well as proof of your birth. You will also need to apply to the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
Registration:
Citizenship by registration is available to foreigners who have lived in Malaysia for at least 12 months and meet certain other requirements. To apply for citizenship by registration, you must submit an application to the Immigration Department of Malaysia along with proof of your residency in the country.
Naturalization:
To become a Malaysian citizen through naturalization, several requirements must be met.
- You must be at least 21 years of age.
- You must have resided in Malaysia for a continuous period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of application.
- You must be of good character and have no criminal record.
- You must have adequate knowledge of the Malay language.
Investment:
This means you will need to invest a certain amount of money into the country to be eligible for citizenship. The amount of money required will vary depending on the specific program that you are applying for.
Read also: How to Write a Cover Letter for Visa Application
Application Process for Citizenship in Malaysia
To apply for citizenship in Malaysia, there are a few requirements that need to be met. Firstly, applicants must have resided in Malaysia for a minimum of 12 months. Secondly, they must be of good character and have no criminal record. Finally, they must be able to speak and understand the national language, Bahasa Malaysia.
Once these requirements have been met, the next step is to apply to the Malaysian Immigration Department. The application must be accompanied by supporting documents such as a birth certificate, passport, and proof of residency. Once the application has been received, the department will review it and decide on whether or not the applicant is eligible for citizenship.
If the application is successful, the next step is to attend an interview with a panel from the Malaysian Citizenship Council. During the interview, applicants will be asked questions about their background and why they want to become Malaysian citizens. They will also be required to take a language proficiency test to demonstrate their understanding of Bahasa Malaysia.
Once the interview has been completed, applicants will be required to attend a swearing-in ceremony where they will take an oath of allegiance to Malaysia. After this, they will officially be granted Malaysian citizenship!
Other Interesting Contents
- Top American Universities with High Acceptance Rate
- List of Fully Funded Scholarships in the Philippines
- Everything You Need to Know Before Moving To Portugal
Conclusion:
Citizenship in Malaysia is a process, but it is possible to achieve it if the right steps are taken. If you want to become a Malaysian citizen, make sure to familiarize yourself with the requirements and follow them closely. With some time and effort, you can make your dream of becoming a Malaysian citizen a reality.