"Existing Investor" category now removed from Investor Pass applications on Xpats Gateway, effective 13 March 2026

Any Investor Pass applications under the "Existing Investor" category that were in draft status have since been automatically removed from the system.

Malaysia has revised its Investor Pass application framework with effect from 13 March 2026, removing the “Existing Investor” category as part of efforts to streamline processes and align applications with current policy requirements.

Under the update, the “Type of Investor” classification in the Xpats Gateway system will be reduced from three categories to two:

Investors who already own a company in Malaysia or hold a directorship in a company are not eligible to apply for the Investor Pass, as such applications fall outside the scope of the current Investor Pass policy. Instead, affected applicants are advised to consider alternative routes, such as the Employment Pass (EP) or Professional Visit Pass (PVP), subject to existing eligibility criteria and regulations.

The revision also has immediate implications for applications currently in progress. Any Investor Pass submissions under the “Existing Investor” category that remain in draft status will be automatically removed from the system effective 13 March.

The Expatriate Services Division said the update is positioned as part of broader efforts to improve service delivery, while ensuring alignment with prevailing regulatory requirements and national security considerations.

About the Investor Pass

The Investor Pass is a multiple-entry visa (MEV) facility introduced for business visitors or foreign investors to facilitate their business activities, particularly for those who have committed to investing in Malaysia through investment agencies or relevant authorities.

Investor Pass holders are permitted to enter Malaysia for a period of six months, with the option to extend for an additional six months, subject to the applicant’s justification and requirements.

Eligibility criteria

Business visitors or foreign investors who fall under any of the following two categories are eligible to apply for the Investor Pass:

• New investor: Potential investors who have not had any investment record in Malaysia.
• Investor in pipeline: Potential investors who have been identified as interested in making investments in Malaysia, are currently in negotiations with the Malaysian Government or have applied to MIDA for project approvals.

For further clarification related to documents and agency requirements, contact the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) at investorpass@mida.gov.my.

For processing-related enquiries, reach out to the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) at ppp_invest@imi.gov.my.

For technical assistance with Xpats Gateway, reach out to MYXpats Helpdesk:

Email: helpdesk@myxpats.com.my
Phone: +603-7839 7171

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