Malaysia services
Employment Pass and Immigration Services for Malaysia
Bringing foreign staff or founders into Malaysia requires the company itself to be eligible before any individual application can succeed — paid-up capital, the right activity registration and, in some cases, sponsorship registration with the relevant authority. We sequence that correctly instead of filing an application that will be rejected on the company’s facts.
| Company eligibility first | Paid-up capital, correct activity code and, in some cases, sponsorship registration must be in place before an individual application is filed |
| Pass types | Employment Pass for the principal hire; Dependant Pass for spouses and children under 18 |
| Sequencing | Company-level registrations are completed before the individual application to avoid a rejection on the company’s facts |
What’s included
- Employer and sponsorship registration
- Employment Pass applications, renewals and cancellations
- Dependant passes for spouses and children
- Advice on paid-up capital and structural prerequisites before you commit to a hire
Malaysia Employment Pass rules at a glance (from 1 June 2026)
Since 1 June 2026, a Malaysia Employment Pass needs a basic monthly salary of at least RM5,000 (Category III), RM10,000 (Category II) or RM20,000 (Category I). The company must first be registered with the Immigration Department’s Expatriate Services Division (ESD).
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Category I | Basic salary RM20,000 or more; tenure limit 10 years |
| Category II | Basic salary RM10,000 to RM19,999; tenure limit 10 years |
| Category III | Basic salary RM5,000 to RM9,999 (RM7,000 to RM9,999 in specific manufacturing sectors); tenure limit 5 years |
| What counts as salary | Basic salary only; allowances excluded |
| Pass length | Up to 5 years (Category I), 2 years (Category II) or 12 months (Category III) per approval |
| Succession plan | Mandatory for Category II and III applications from 1 January 2027 |
| Dependants | Allowed in all categories; Category III passes issued before 1 June 2026 keep the old no-dependants rule |
| Paid-up capital for ESD registration | RM250,000 (100% local), RM350,000 (joint venture, at least 30% foreign), RM500,000 (100% foreign), RM1,000,000 (foreign-owned with WRT licence) |
| Renewals | Applications from 1 June 2026 must meet the revised salary levels |
Malaysia work and residence passes compared: EP, PVP, RP-T and DE Rantau
An Employment Pass is the standard route for a foreign employee of a Malaysian company. Other passes cover short assignments for overseas employers, remote work, long-term talent and family members.
| Pass | Who it is for | Length | Key condition | Handled by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | Employees of a company registered with ESD | Up to 5 years (Category I), 2 years (Category II) or 12 months (Category III) per approval | Basic salary from RM5,000 a month | ESD |
| Professional Visit Pass (PVP) | Professionals on training, consultancy or project work | Up to 12 months in total | Stays employed by the overseas company | Immigration, via the approving agency |
| EP for Foreign Graduates (EP-FG) | Graduates of Malaysian universities and colleges | Up to 24 months; not renewable | Five manufacturing sectors only, including electrical and electronics | MIDA |
| Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) | Experienced EP holders staying long term | Up to 10 years | 3 consecutive years in Malaysia; basic salary RM15,000 | TalentCorp |
| DE Rantau Nomad Pass | Foreign remote workers | 3 to 12 months; one 12-month renewal | Income from USD24,000 a year (tech) or USD60,000 (non-tech) | MDEC |
| Dependant Pass | Spouse, children under 18 and disabled children of an EP holder | Linked to the EP | No work without their own EP | With or after the EP |
| Long-Term Social Visit Pass | Unmarried children aged 18 to 25, parents and parents-in-law | Linked to the EP | No work without their own EP | With or after the EP |
How to apply for a Malaysia Employment Pass, step by step
The company registers with ESD, obtains pre-approvals on Xpats Gateway, then applies on ESD Online. Each stage has its own published processing standard.
- Register the company on ESD Online with the paid-up capital for its ownership type; ESD takes 14 working days once documents are in order.
- Advertise the role on MYFutureJobs and obtain PERKESO’s acknowledgement letter, required for new EP applications unless the role is exempt.
- In Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, obtain Labour Department (JTKSM) approval under section 60K of the Employment Act 1955 on Xpats Gateway, processed within 10 working days.
- If an approving agency such as MDEC or MIDA covers the company, apply for its support letter on Xpats Gateway: 3 working days fast track, 10 normal.
- Submit the EP application on ESD Online, with dependants now or after approval; complete applications are processed within 5 working days.
- If the employee is abroad, apply for a Visa with Reference with the application, then endorse the pass at ESC KLIA or the MYXpats Centre.
- Once the employee starts, register them with EPF and SOCSO, and file e-CP22 with LHDN within 30 days.
Documents needed for a Malaysia Employment Pass
ESD collects company documents once, at company registration, and personal documents with each application. MDEC’s May 2026 checklist sets the format rules.
- Company: directors’ MyKad or passport copies, company profile, phone bill, premises tenancy or purchase agreement, SSM records (ESD still lists Forms 9, 24 and 49) and latest financial report
- Company: local authority (PBT) licence and sector licences such as WRT or CIDB, where applicable
- Passport valid for more than 12 months at submission
- Photo, 35mm x 50mm on a white background
- CV showing current and previous employers
- Academic certificates, with certified translations if not in English
- Employment contract with a RM10 revenue stamp, showing basic salary
- JTKSM section 60K approval and MYFutureJobs acknowledgement letters
- Approving-agency support letter, where applicable
- From 1 January 2027: a succession plan for Category II and III
Malaysia Employment Pass timelines, contributions and penalties
ESD’s published standards are 14 working days to register a company and 5 working days for a complete EP application. Employers also pay EPF and SOCSO for EP holders.
| Item | Amount / deadline |
|---|---|
| ESD company registration | 14 working days after documents are in order |
| JTKSM section 60K approval | 10 working days |
| Approving-agency support letter | 3 working days (fast track) or 10 (normal track) |
| EP application, complete documents | 5 working days |
| Hiring without section 60K approval | Fine up to RM100,000, up to 5 years’ jail, or both |
| EPF, non-citizen employees | 2% employer, 2% employee from October 2025 wages; due by the 15th of the following month |
| SOCSO, foreign workers | Employer 1.75%; employee 0.5% invalidity plus 0.75% non-employment injury from 1 June 2026 |
| CP21 when an employee leaves Malaysia | At least 30 days before departure |
Processing times are service standards, not guarantees. Immigration pass and visa fees are not shown because they could not be confirmed on an official page on 6 October 2026; confirm them with ESD.
EP category, EPF and SOCSO on a RM12,000 salary: a worked example
An expatriate on a basic salary of RM12,000 a month falls in EP Category II and costs the employer RM344.15 a month in EPF and SOCSO contributions. RM314.40 a month is deducted from the employee’s pay before income tax.
- Category: RM12,000 basic is between RM10,000 and RM19,999, so Category II. RM9,000 basic plus RM3,000 allowances would be Category III, because only basic salary counts.
- EPF, employer: RM12,000 × 2% = RM240.
- EPF, employee: RM12,000 × 2% = RM240.
- SOCSO, employer: wages above RM6,000 use PERKESO’s top band, RM104.15.
- SOCSO, employee: RM29.75 invalidity + RM44.65 non-employment injury = RM74.40.
- Employer cost: RM12,000 + RM240 + RM104.15 = RM12,344.15 a month; contributions alone are RM344.15 × 12 = RM4,129.80 a year.
- Employee deductions: RM240 + RM74.40 = RM314.40 a month, before PCB.
Assumptions: no allowances or bonus; employee covered by all three SOCSO schemes; rates in force on 6 October 2026, with the non-employment injury share at 0.75% until 31 May 2028; SOCSO wage ceiling RM6,000. EIS, HRD levy and immigration fees are excluded.
Hiring on an Employment Pass: key dates from approval to RP-T eligibility
For a Category II hire starting on 1 February 2027 at a company already registered with ESD, the key dates run as follows. Processing times are published service standards, not guarantees.
| When | What | Deadline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 January 2027 | JTKSM section 60K approval issued; valid 12 months | 10 working days | JTKSM |
| 6 January 2027 | Support letter issued, if needed; valid 6 months | 3 or 10 working days | Approving agency |
| 8 January 2027 | EP application filed with the succession plan now required | 5 working days if complete | ESD |
| After approval | Pass fees paid; ePASS processed | 1 working day after payment | ESD |
| By 3 March 2027 | e-CP22 for the employee who started on 1 February | 30 days after the start date | LHDN |
| By 15 March 2027 | EPF, SOCSO and PCB for February wages | 15th of the following month | KWSP, PERKESO, LHDN |
| 1 June 2028 | Employee’s SOCSO non-employment injury share rises to 1.00% | Phase 2 of LINDUNG 24 Jam | PERKESO |
| 1 February 2030 | Three consecutive years worked, the RP-T minimum | Apply while the EP has over 3 months left | TalentCorp |
Common Employment Pass mistakes that cause rejections or delays
Most rejections and delays trace back to the salary package or a skipped pre-approval, not the candidate.
- Meeting the threshold only with allowances: ESD counts basic salary only, so the application drops a category or fails.
- Renewing on the old salary: renewals from 1 June 2026 must meet the revised levels.
- Hiring in Peninsular Malaysia or Labuan without section 60K approval: a fine of up to RM100,000, up to 5 years’ jail, or both.
- Skipping the MYFutureJobs advertisement: new applications need the acknowledgement letter unless the role is on PERKESO’s exemption list.
- Leaving succession planning to the last minute: Category II and III applications need a plan from 1 January 2027.
- Leaving EP holders off EPF: contributions for non-citizen employees have been mandatory since October 2025 wages.
Malaysian work pass terms explained
These are the terms employers and expatriates meet in ESD, MIDA and MDEC processes.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ESD | The Expatriate Services Division of the Immigration Department of Malaysia, which registers employers and processes Employment Passes. |
| Dependant Pass | A pass for an EP holder’s legal spouse, children under 18 and disabled children of any age. |
| Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP) | A pass for relatives who are not dependants, such as unmarried children aged 18 to 25 and parents. |
| Visa with Reference (VDR) | An entry visa issued against the pass approval for an employee applying from outside Malaysia. |
| ePASS | The digital Employment Pass. Its validity follows the approval and the holder’s passport. |
| Xpats Gateway | ESD’s portal for pre-approvals, such as section 60K approval and support letters. |
| Section 60K approval | Labour Department approval under the Employment Act 1955 to employ a foreigner in Peninsular Malaysia or Labuan. |
| MYFutureJobs | PERKESO’s job portal, where employers advertise roles before most new EP applications. |
Frequently asked questions
Does my company need to meet certain requirements before hiring foreign staff?
Yes. Paid-up capital and the company’s registered business activity determine whether it can sponsor an Employment Pass at all — we assess and, where needed, adjust this before any individual application is filed.
Can my spouse and children join me in Malaysia on my Employment Pass?
Yes. Under the policy in force since 1 June 2026, all three Employment Pass categories may bring a spouse and children under 18 on a Dependant Pass, applied for together with the main pass or after it is approved; unmarried children aged 18 to 25 and parents use a Long-Term Social Visit Pass. Category III passes issued before 1 June 2026 stay under the old no-dependants rule.
How long does an Employment Pass take to process?
Timelines vary by category and by how complete the company’s supporting documents are. We sequence the company-level registrations first so the individual application isn’t filed prematurely and delayed.
What is the minimum salary for a Malaysia Employment Pass in 2026?
RM5,000 a month in basic salary for Category III, RM10,000 for Category II and RM20,000 for Category I, since 1 June 2026. Category III starts at RM7,000 in specific manufacturing sectors. Allowances do not count, and the levels apply to renewals too.
Can a Category III Employment Pass holder bring their family to Malaysia?
Yes, under the revised policy all three categories may bring dependants. Category III passes issued before 1 June 2026 stay under the old policy, which does not allow them. Dependants can be added with the main application or after approval.
How long is a Malaysia Employment Pass valid?
Up to 5 years (Category I), 2 years (Category II) or 12 months (Category III) per approval. Total tenure is capped at 10 years for Categories I and II and 5 years for Category III, according to MIDA. The digital pass also follows the validity of the holder’s passport.
Do Employment Pass holders contribute to EPF in Malaysia?
Yes. Since October 2025 wages, employers must register non-citizen employees with a valid work pass, contribute 2% and deduct 2% from the employee. EP holders are also covered by SOCSO’s employment injury, invalidity and non-employment injury schemes.
What is the difference between an Employment Pass and a Professional Visit Pass in Malaysia?
An Employment Pass is for someone employed by a company in Malaysia. A Professional Visit Pass is for a professional who stays employed by an overseas company while in Malaysia for training, consultancy or project work. The PVP lasts up to 12 months in total and cannot be extended beyond that.
Can an Employment Pass holder bring their parents to Malaysia?
Yes, on a Long-Term Social Visit Pass rather than a Dependant Pass. The same pass covers unmarried children aged 18 to 25 who are not studying or working in Malaysia, and a common-law spouse may be considered. Neither Dependant Pass nor LTSVP holders may work unless they obtain their own Employment Pass.
Who qualifies for Malaysia’s Residence Pass-Talent?
An EP holder who has worked in Malaysia for at least 3 consecutive years, earns a basic salary of RM15,000 a month, has paid income tax for the last 2 years and has 5 years’ total experience and a recognised qualification. The EP must have more than 3 months left when applying. The pass lasts up to 10 years, allows a change of employer, and lets a legally married spouse work without an Employment Pass.
Can I work remotely from Malaysia for a foreign employer?
Yes, on MDEC’s DE Rantau Nomad Pass, if you earn at least USD24,000 a year in a tech role or USD60,000 in a non-tech role, under a contract that started at least 3 months before you apply. The pass runs 3 to 12 months and can be renewed once for 12 months, to a maximum of 24 months. The fee is RM1,080 for the main applicant and RM540 per dependant, including 8% SST.
Sources
Figures on this page were checked against these official sources on 6 October 2026. Rates, fees and deadlines change, so confirm the current position with the authority before acting.
- Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia (ESD), Revised Expatriate Salary Policy (booklet)
- Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia (ESD), Revised Expatriate Salary Policy: FAQ
- Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Announcement: implementation of new expatriate employment policy (3 June 2026)
- Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Announcement: phased implementation of succession plan requirement
- Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia (ESD), FAQ: ESD company registration
- Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia (ESD), FAQ: Xpats Gateway
- Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia (ESD), FAQ: MYXpats
- Employees Provident Fund (KWSP), Non-Malaysian citizen employees
- Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Investor guide: MIDA Expatriate System FAQ (EP, PVP, EP-FG, DP), as at 16 March 2026
- Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), Malaysian Residence Pass-Talent
- Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), DE Rantau Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026)
- Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), New contribution rate including the Non-Employment Injury Scheme (LINDUNG 24 Jam)
