The government has eased immigration rules to allow foreign wives of Malaysians who have lived in the country for at least three years to work, a report said today.

The New Sunday Times said the immigration department issued a circular two months ago, giving the green light for foreign wives who have held social visit passes for three years to find jobs.

Some 40,000 foreign women live in Malaysia o­n social visit passes, which are renewed annually, the newspaper said.

High academic qualifications

"We have found that many foreign women married to locals have high academic qualifications," immigration director-general Mohamad Kamal Jamdi was quoted as saying.

"However, the three-year prerequisite is necessary to eliminate marriages of convenience and avoid abuse of this new ruling."

Kamal said wives of expatriates were, however, allowed to work o­nly with social groups or voluntary organisations if they had registered with the department.

Dependant passes held by children of expatriates can now double up as study permits, making it easier for them to study in the country, he added. - AFP