The Malaysian government announced in its 2006 budget that it would expedite visas for expatriate professionals in the information and communication technology, high-tech, and financial services sectors.  The provisions of the budget, released in a speech by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on September 30, 2005, bolster the government´s commitment to developing Malaysia´s technology and services sectors.  The Ministry of Home Affairs will oversee this initiative to provide expedited issuance of visas for foreign "knowledge" workers and professionals in the selected industry sectors.

It is hoped that this new visa policy will encourage and facilitate cross-border skills and knowledge transfer into Malaysia.  The 2006 budget also calls for the strengthening of the Expatriate Committee and Inspectorate Units of the Immigration Department.