MUSCAT: Meeting “the one” from another country may seem like a dream, but for foreign workers in Malaysia, marrying a local could turn into serious legal trouble. In 2023, the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) clarified that foreigners holding a Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) are not allowed to marry locals, as doing so would automatically cancel their permits.
Reports indicate that some foreign men, particularly Pakistanis, have married local women primarily to stay in Malaysia and run businesses under their wives’ names. Kelantan Immigration revealed that 15 such applications were rejected, while other attempts involved using local nominees or taking over businesses without proper license transfers.
The law also imposes strict penalties for anyone caught hiding or protecting undocumented migrants (PATI). Under Section 55E(1) of Act 155 (Amendment 2002), offenders could face fines up to RM10,000, five years in prison, and six strokes of the cane. Immigration authorities, however, cannot annul marriages but can revoke permits and deport foreign workers if the law is breached, according to Director-General Datuk Ruslin Jusoh.
JIM has issued warnings to locals, especially women, highlighting the risks of marrying PLKS holders, as spouses can still be deported. The status of these marriages depends on whether the couple are Muslim or non-Muslim. PLKS holders intending to marry another foreigner must coordinate with their respective embassies.
Ultimately, foreigners in Malaysia are legally admitted only for work in designated sectors, not for marriage. While marriages between Malaysians and foreign workers are possible, they must comply fully with immigration and legal regulations to avoid penalties and deportation.
