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Malaysian singer and TV host Orange Tan Hui Tien has questioned the logic behind Malaysia's spouse visa renewals, after her foreign husband was granted a shorter stay despite no change in their circumstances
In a recent post, she shared her frustration over renewing her husband Nash Lee's Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP), the permit commonly used by foreign spouses of Malaysians to live in the country.
Her main concern wasn't just the outcome, but the lack of clarity behind it.
In the post, Tan said that while they are grateful to stay together, the process left her with more questions than answers
According to Tan, her husband was previously granted a two-year pass. But during their latest renewal, it was reduced to just one year.
That drop, she says, doesn't make sense.
She questioned the criteria immigration authorities use to decide a spouse visa's validity, saying there seems to be no clear or consistent benchmark.
"I've been venting a bit on my IG stories these past two days about the frustration of renewing Nash's spouse visa… I have many doubts in my heart: What exactly do the higher-ups base their decisions on when determining how many years of visa to give a foreign spouse?"
Tan pointed out that despite being law-abiding residents and having all their documents in order, the "logic" behind the visa duration remains a mystery.
"We are law-abiding, we've lived locally for a certain amount of time, and all the required documents were complete. Why do we still get such a short-duration visa? Furthermore, it could be two years last time, but only one year this time?"
"I have many questions, but no one can answer me why 🙄"
Her experience isn't unusual
In Malaysia, the LTSVP is known to be discretionary. Even when applicants meet all official requirements, including proof of marriage, income, and residency, the duration of the pass can still vary.
Some get six months. Others one year, two years, or more.
There's no formal explanation given for why one applicant receives a longer duration than another, which leaves many couples guessing and planning their lives around uncertainty.
Tan said after sharing her experience, many friends reached out with similar stories, suggesting this is a common issue among binational families.
"I've received a lot of concern and encouragement from friends, and many have shared their similar encounters. Everyone's hearts are so strong. To friends who are in the same boat as us, keep going!"
On paper, the requirements for a spouse visa in Malaysia are fairly straightforward: legal marriage, a Malaysian sponsor, proof of income, and a full set of documents
But in practice, the final decision, especially the duration, is left to the discretion of immigration officers. And as Tan's case shows, even couples who've already progressed to longer-term approvals aren't guaranteed to stay there.
