Residence & citizenship
Malaysian Malaysian Citizenship
For acquiring Malaysian citizenship by registration or naturalisation under the Federal Constitution.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
Specific residence periods, language requirements and discretionary criteria for registration/naturalisation vary by route and were not confirmed from a fetched official page; verify current requirements with the National Registration Department.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Malaysia government website before you apply.
On this page
- Official name
- Malaysian citizenship (by registration or naturalisation)
- Route type
- Citizenship / naturalisation
- Legal basis
- Federal Constitution of Malaysia
- Handled by
- National Registration Department (JPN) / Ministry of Home Affairs
- Dual citizenship
- Not generally permitted
Who it is for
- Long-resident permanent residents seeking naturalisation
- Foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens (by registration, after the qualifying period)
- Certain children of Malaysian citizens
Requirements
- A qualifying period of lawful residence in Malaysia
- Good character and, typically, adequate knowledge of the Malay language
- Usually permanent resident status beforehand
- Willingness to renounce other citizenship(s) where required
How to apply
- Apply through the National Registration Department (JPN)
- Submit residence, identity and eligibility evidence
- Applications are assessed on a discretionary basis by the authorities
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.