The unexpected policy change is a welcome step in the right direction.

The Embassy of the United States in Kuala Lumpur has received and shared new policy updates from Malaysian Immigration, which is now permitting expatriates employed as teachers in Malaysia to leave the country and return up to 90 days later with a single application/approval process. The outstation time can be longer, as well, though that would require two separate applications (one to leave, another to return).

Though it only impacts a certain group of expats, it’s nevertheless a welcome sign that Malaysia is beginning to relax its stance on allowing resident expats to return to the country.

The information shared by the US Embassy is as follows:

Malaysian Immigration Update for Expatriate Teachers and their Dependents

The Malaysian authorities informed the US Embassy on March 9, 2021 that the Malaysian Immigration Department has updated its policy pertaining to expatriate teachers and their dependents. Per the guidance received from Immigration, expatriate teachers may now be approved to depart Malaysia for the summer school holiday and return to Malaysia thereafter.

Interested expatriate teachers should apply for advance Immigration authorization via My Entry. If approved, the Malaysian Immigration approval letter will be valid for 90 days, and both exit and return to Malaysia must take place within this 90 day window of validity. Those wishing to remain outside Malaysia longer than 90 days should initially apply only for exit approval, and then apply separately for entry approval once they are ready to return to Malaysia.  

Please contact the Expatriate Services Division of the Immigration Department of Malaysia directly with further questions at +603 8880 1449 or [email protected].