23 February 2026
Obtain Citizenship in Malaysia
Learn how Malaysian citizenship can be acquired, why dual citizenship is not accepted, and how our lawyers in Malaysia can advise you. Contact us.
Foreigners interested in how to get citizenship in Malaysia in 2026 should know in the first place that they need to give up their prior nationality because the country does not accept dual citizenship. We present you with a few important aspects that highlight how citizenship in Malaysia can be acquired, with the help of one of our Malaysian lawyers. Our experts can help foreigners move to Malaysia.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Ways to obtain citizenship in Malaysia | Citizenship by naturalization after permanent residence for more than 10 years in Malaysia |
Documents for citizenship application in Malaysia | – application form C, – valid ID, – entry permit for Malaysia, – documents for spouse and children, – birth certificate |
Knowledge of Malay language as a requirement (YES/NO) | YES |
| Age requirements for citizenship application | Over 21 years old |
| Living requirements in Malaysia (YES/NO) | YES |
| Residence or direct citizenship option | No direct option; citizenship only by naturalization after long-term residence |
| Direct immigration with family members | Yes, spouses, children, parents, and grandparents are accepted into the program. |
| Health insurance and other medical requirements | A health insurance with validity in Malaysia is solicited, alongside a medical examination made in the country. |
| Citizenship processing time (approx.) | Around 12 months or longer |
| Additional financial requirements for family members (YES/NO) | YES |
| Is citizenship in Malaysia application possible for minors? | Yes, the parent or the guardian is in charge of the application, documents, and representation of the minor. One of the parents must be Malaysian. |
| Dual citizenship permitted | Malaysia does not accept dual citizenship. |
| Reasons to choose Malaysia | – great business opportunities, – affordable costs of living, – optimal choice for digital nomads |
| Personal income tax rate | Progressive rates from 0% to 30% for tax residents; a flat 30% for non-residents. |
| Visa-free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries) | Around 180 (visa-free or visa on arrival) |
How to get citizenship in Malaysia
If you decide toapply for citizenship in Malaysia, it is recommended to have a clear picture of the eligibility criteria that stand at the base of the entire process. First of all, only foreign citizens over 21 years of age can apply for citizenship in Malaysia. Other eligibility criteria need to be respected at the time the citizenship application is made:
- foreigners living in Malaysia for at least 10 years can apply for citizenship;
- proving knowledge of the Malay language is another important requirement for a Malaysian citizenship application;
- in terms of documents, the personal identification documents, birth certificates, entry permits, specific forms, and identity cards of Malaysian recommenders are solicited.
The National Registration Department (JPN) in Malaysia verifies and accepts the documents of foreigners applying for citizenship in this country. Instead of dealing on your own with the relevant formalities, you can discuss with ourlawyers in Malaysia and discover the legal services tailored to your needs in this direction. This way, you have the guarantee that the application is correctly made and there are no chances of rejection.
Find out more about how to get citizenship in Malaysia in 2026 from our specialists, who can also help you relocate to Malaysia. You can discover information on this topic in the following infographic:
Obtaining citizenship by having a Malaysian parent
Even citizens born outside Malaysia and having a Malaysian parent can apply for citizenship. The requirements are simpler compared to the ones imposed on foreigners in Malaysia because the applicants are not restricted by having at least 21 years of age and should have only elementary knowledge of the Malay language.
Some of the conditions to apply for Malaysian citizenship refer to having medical insurance in the country, some medical tests too, and a police clearance certificate showing there is no criminal record. The medical tests should be made in Malaysia. The police clearance certificate must be issued in the country of origin. If you find yourself in this situation, you can receive legal assistance from our law office in Malaysia. We have a dedicated team of experts with experience in this field who can offer legal assistance and representation for citizenship applications in Malaysia. The same team can help you relocate to Malaysia.
You might want to watch the following video presentation:
Is it hard to obtain citizenship in Malaysia?
Citizenship in Malaysia can be obtained relatively fast if all the conditions imposed are respected. The legal support and guidance of a Malaysian lawyer will prove helpful for foreigners interested in this topic. Some legal aspects need to be completely understood at the time the application is prepared. Even though the citizenship application process is not complex, in some cases, the government might reject a few of them. Specific verifications are made in this sense, and candidates also need to demonstrate knowledge of the Malay language.
Getting permanent residence in Malaysia
The permanent residence shows that you have the right to live in Malaysia for an indefinite period. It is important to note that this kind of residence permit is issued after living for at least 5 years in Malaysia. There are other aspects related to permanent residency in Malaysia that you should pay attention to:
- Having permanent residence in Malaysia means that there is no need to renew the visa.
- Living in Malaysia for at least 5 years without interruptions is mandatory.
- Marriage to a Malaysian citizen does not grant permanent residency automatically; the foreign spouse may apply for it, usually after holding a Long-Term Social Visit Pass for at least 5 years.
- Foreigners with permanent residence in Malaysia can start their own businesses in this country.
- There is no need for a work permit if permanent residence in Malaysia is granted.
Foreigners interested in obtaining permanent residence in Malaysia can get in touch with our Malaysian attorneys for legal advice. Also, extra details about how to get citizenship in Malaysia can be provided by our team. We are here to help you immigrate to Malaysia in 2026.
Updates on Malaysian citizenship in 2026
Ready to apply for citizenship in Malaysia in 2026? Here are some important updates:
- Under the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2024 (passed October 2024; the government targeted mid-2026 for its entry into force, so check the commencement date with JPN), automatic citizenship is offered for overseas-born children of Malaysian mothers and foreign fathers. This is not valid retroactively, but only from the date of entering into force in 2026.
- At the moment, Malaysia does not accept dual citizenship. However, children born overseas who have dual nationality will have to choose to keep their mother’s nationality (if Malaysian) or their father’s by the age of 18.
- Malaysia’s National Registration Department highlights that citizenship will not be granted automatically in all cases. The authorities can review the particularities and concentrate on national security and interest before granting this status.
- It is expected that citizenship applications in Malaysia in 2026 will receive a final report in approximately 12 months from the date of registration.
We assist foreigners in business-related matters, as our corporate lawyer in Malaysia can give in-depth legal advice. Interested in more aspects of citizenship in Malaysia in 2026? Feel free to contact our law firm in Malaysia and ask for legal advice. Our specialists can tell you more about this topic and about how to move to Malaysia.