Malaysia Immigration Crackdown 2026: Op Selera & The Task Force on Visa Abuse

Malaysia Immigration Crackdown 2026: Op Selera & The Task Force on Visa Abuse

The 2026 Malaysia Immigration Crackdown, headlined by Op Selera, represents a multi-agency effort to eliminate illegal foreign labor. Led by the Ministry of Finance, the government has formed a task force to specifically target Social Visit Pass abuse and foreign dumping, ensuring that only legally documented workers remain in the local economy.

The Critical Malaysia Employment Pass Tax 182-Day Rule: Avoid the 30% Tax Trap

malaysia-employment-pass-tax-182-day-rule

Expats staying in Malaysia for ≥182 days qualify as Tax Residents, benefiting from 0%-30% progressive rates and reliefs. Those staying <182 days are taxed at a 30% flat rate. As LHDN tax records are linked to Immigration visa renewals, maintaining tax compliance is vital to avoid EP2 renewal rejections or delays.

2026 Malaysia Visa Crackdown: PM Anwar’s Zero-Tolerance Directive

2026 Malaysia Visa Crackdown: PM Anwar’s Zero-Tolerance Directive

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has issued a cabinet directive to crack down on the abuse of Social Visit Passes (SVP) for illegal employment. As of mid-2026, over 54,791 enforcement actions have been recorded. The government warns that using “tourist” status for business activities will lead to immediate blacklisting and future visa rejections.