In a bid to stay in Malaysia, foreign women are turning to unconventional – and often deceitful – tactics to secure long-term residency.
Exploiting marriage as a legal loophole, syndicates are arranging marriages between foreign women and Malaysian men, granting these women access to Social Visit Passes (SVPs) under the guise of legitimate relationships.
Foreign women marry M’sian men to stay In M’sia
However, a recent investigation by the Immigration Department has exposed how these “marriages” mask a darker reality, with many women instead becoming involved in illegal activities.
According to Sinar Harian, syndicates bring foreign women into Malaysia on SVP visas under the pretext of tourism.
Behind the scenes, these women are often recruited for roles as Guest Relations Officers (GROs) or, in some cases, are drawn into prostitution.
Financially struggling Malaysians targeted as ‘husbands’
The syndicates prey on financially struggling Malaysian men, enticing them with payments to pose as husbands to these women.
Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department Director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff explained that the syndicates handle marriage and immigration documentation, allowing these women to use their Malaysian “husbands” as escorts and gain legitimacy.
“Our investigation found that these men are paid either a monthly sum of RM500 or a one-time payment of up to RM5,000,” he stated.
“In reality, these women engage in illegal activities, such as working as GROs, prostitutes, and other immoral work.”
Despite these marriages being legally registered, authorities noted that these so-called couples don’t live together, further highlighting the deception.
During inspections, many foreign women were unable to provide basic information about their “husbands,” casting doubt on the authenticity of their relationships.
The misuse of SVPs has become a significant concern, with Kuala Lumpur seeing high numbers of related arrests.
As Wan Saupee explained, “These ‘tourists’ are found working in restaurants, sales, construction, entertainment venues, and businesses.”
The department is now working to close these loopholes and crack down on syndicates exploiting Malaysia’s immigration system.

