Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli (Photo: thestar.com.my) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Malaysian governmentwill fast-track the application process for expatriate visas, the country's economy ministerRafizi Ramli said on April 10.
Speaking in a press conference after a Special TaskForce to Facilitate Business (Pemudah) meeting on the same day, the ministercited the process will be reduced from the three months it currently takes tojust five days.
He said his ministry is aiming to shorten the lengthof the process as it is one of the obstacles, especially for investors who wantto enter the country.
Rafizi said the applicants will be divided into twogroups, with one eligible for fast-tracking due to the applicants’ goodtrack record and compliance, as well as a long history with the country. Theothers that do not have a history with the country will be checked by therelevant departments. If they are eligible, they too will join the fast-trackedgroup. The new application process is expected to come into effect in earlyJune.
In March, Rafizi said the government was looking atsimplifying and shortening the application process for expatriate visas as theexisting process took up to five or six months, affecting the manpowerplans of businesses.
Besides, the minister also said Pemudah was looking tostandardise the planning permission application process managed by localauthorities. At the moment, some local authorities taking 50 to 60 days toprocess an application, while others take up to 200 days.
Accordingly, Pemudahhas decided to pick one ‘agile process’ (practised by one local authority) andapply it to other local authorities across the country.
Rafizi acknowledged that now only Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is able to process these applications within 58 days./.
