Premium visa programme gets 20,000 applications on first day

PVIP: 20,000 applications on day one

The Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) got off to a strong start, with the Home Ministry receiving 20,000 applications from agents on its launch day, Thursday 1 September 2022, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

"I would like to state that for the first phase, we have set a limit of no more than 25,000 applications," — Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin

Hamzah made the comments to reporters after the Menyemai Kasih Rakyat (MEKAR) programme with the Siamese community at the Perlis Correctional Centre in Arau, attended by ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, National Registration Department director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh, Perlis state secretary Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, and Dewan Negara member and Siamese Association of Malaysia chairman Senator Ak Nan a/l Eh Took.

He confirmed the Cabinet-approved fee structure of a one-time RM200,000 for the principal applicant plus RM100,000 per dependent, noting fees could rise in later phases if demand remains strong.

MEKAR: easing ID changes for the Siamese community

Hamzah said the MEKAR programme is making it easier for Siamese communities across Kedah, Kelantan, Perak and other states to update the descent information on their identity cards from "Thai" to "Siamese," with affected residents advised to apply for new ICs at their nearest National Registration Department office. MEKAR was launched in 2017 to bring services like birth, death and identity registration — along with general advisory support — closer to residents in rural and interior areas.

Source: The Star (Bernama)