Malaysia Employment Pass

Ex-pats who want to work in Malaysia must obtain a work visa. However, the type of permit will depend on your employer. For instance, if you plan to work for a company as a professional and high-skilled worker, you will need a Malaysia Employment Pass.

Malaysia has become one of the highest employers of foreign workers, especially professionals in the Agricultural, Economic, IT, and Construction sectors. Thus, any foreign worker with such skills can get employment in a company or organization in Malaysia.

However, many foreigners find it hard when they apply for a permit to enter Malaysia as a worker. For some, it is because they don’t know the right steps to follow. For others, they don’t have the requirements.

This article is for you if this is your issue. Find out everything you need to know about obtaining a Malaysia Employment Pass.

Employment Pass is among the work permits for foreigners who want to work in Malaysia. It allows them to live in the country as professional and high-skilled personnel. Your employer must receive an approval letter from the Malaysian authority to employ you.

Eligibility for Malaysia Employment Pass

Applicants for Employment Pass in Malaysia must meet the following conditions. They include:

Proper academic qualifications for the job.
Three years of work experience.
Work in a managerial, executive, or technical position.
Meet the minimum salary requirements.
Take up work in a sector that is restricted.

Eligible family members to stay in Malaysia with you under Malaysia Employment Pass

You can invite your family members to stay with you in Malaysia. However, you must apply for their pass before they live in the country. Thus, they can join you in Malaysia under the following conditions.

Dependent pass

You can apply for a dependent pass for your family members who depend on you for survival. They include:

Spouse
Children (under 18 years of age)
Adopted child (under 18 years of age)
Parents / Parents-in-law

Long-Term Social Visit Pass

You can apply for a long-term social visit pass for the following family members. They include:

Children (over 18 years)
– Adopted child (over 18 years)
– Parents/Parents-in-law

Social Visit pass

You can also apply for temporary employment or a social visit pass for a foreign maid. It will allow the person to work in your house as a helper.

Types of Malaysia Employment Pass

You can apply for three types of Employment visas. It depends on your position and salary. They include:

Employment Pass Category 1
Employment Pass Category 2
Employment Pass Category 3

Employment Pass Category 1

It is for ex-pats who take up high positions in Malaysian companies and organizations. You will work as executives, CEOs, technical or managing directors, and project managers to get this type of permit. You have to meet the following conditions. They include:

Receive a monthly salary of at least RM10,000.
Your contract must be at least five years.
You can hire a Foreign Domestic Helper.
Your EP is renewable.

Employment Pass Category 2

It is for managerial and professional positions in Malaysian companies and organizations, including marketing or investment manager, lecturers, directors, and architects. The conditions include:

Receive a monthly salary between RM3,000 and RM4,999.
Your contract must be at least two years.
You can hire a Foreign Domestic Helper.
Your EP is renewable.

Employment Pass Category 3

It is for non-executive positions in Malaysian companies and organizations. However, they get enough work experience to work in Malaysia in specific technical or practical skills. They include designers, food technologists, etc.

Requirements for Malaysia Employment Pass

You will need the following documents to apply for your pass to work in Malaysian companies and organizations in Penisular Malaysia. They include:

Employment Pass application form.
Passport size picture
Your passport
Letter or approval for Expatriate Post
Authorization from the company
Your Employment Contract
Your CV
Copies of your diplomas and certificates.
A copy of your company profile

#1. Malaysia Employment Pass application form

You must complete an application form with the correct details about yourself and the purpose of traveling to Malaysia. The information you will provide includes your name, place of birth, nationality, country of residence, and the reason for going to Malaysia.

#2. Passport size picture

You will also need a passport-size picture that meets the Malaysia photo requirements.

#3. Your passport

You will need a valid passport that is six months valid from the date you will enter Malaysia. Meanwhile, your employment pass must have the same validity period as your travel document. Workers from the People’s Republic of China must provide two copies.

#4. Letter of approval

You also need a letter of approval for Expatriate Pos from an authorized body in Malaysia.

#5. Employment contract

You must also get a letter of acceptance from your company in Malaysia. The contract must contain your roles, salary, and number of hours to work in a week.

#6. Authorization from the company

The company must also authorize you to apply for a Malaysia Employment Pass. Thus, they must send a document to approve it.

#7 Your CV

The CV must contain your work experience, academic qualifications and other information that shows you qualify for the job in Malaysia.

#8. Certificates

In addition to the CV, you must provide all your certificates and diplomas. It will serve as proof of academic qualifications for the job.

#9. Company profile

Another document you needs is a copy of the company’s profile. You can get this from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).

How to apply for Malaysia Employment Pass

It is not your duty to apply for your Employment Pass. Your employer in Malaysia will do that on your behalf. However, you must provide the necessary information and documents the company needs.

The process of obtaining an Employment Pass is in two parts. They include:

Applying for an Expatriate Post.
Applying for the Employment Pass

Applying for an Expatriate Post

Your employer must send a request to hire you through the Expatriate Committee (EC). However, the company can use other government-approved agencies to employ you. They include:

Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA): manufacturing and services sectors
Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC): technology sector.
Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM): finance, insurance, and banking sectors
Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp – BC): biotechnology sector
Securities Commission (SC): securities and futures market sectors
Expatriate Committee (EC): other sectors.

Your employer will apply for the Employment Pass once the Expatriate Post is ready.

Applying for the Malaysia Employment Post

Your employer will apply for the pass for you through the Employment Pass Division of the Immigration Department of Malaysia. The company can submit the application by mail or in person. In addition, they must send the documents above with the application form.

Arriving in Malaysia

Once your Employment Pass is ready, you can prepare to enter Malaysia. However, you must bear the following things in mind. They include:

Check if you need a visa with reference (VDR)
If you need it, apply at a Malaysian embassy near you.
Once you arrive in Malaysia, visit the Immigration Office
Submit your EP and fee and passport
Get your Employment Pass sticker and fix it on your passport
Obtain an expatriate card.

Nationals of the countries below don’t need a VDR. Thus, they can enter Malaysia with only a Malaysia Employment Pass approval letter. They include:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brunei
Canada
Cyprus
Dominica
Fiji
The Gambia
Grenada
Guinea
Republic Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Malawi
Maldives
Mauritius
Namibia
Nauru
Netherlands
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Swaziland
Switzerland
Tanzania
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
United Kingdom
Vanuatu
Western Samoa
Zaire
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Also Read: Steps On How To Apply For A Malaysia Visa On Arrival

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the Malaysia Employment Pass?

The validity period of an Employment Pass is 60 months. However, it can vary depending on the work contract and the expiration of your passport. Plus, the decision of the EC.

Where can I apply for a pass to work in Malaysian companies and organizations?

To apply for your pass to work in Malaysia, you will visit the ESD website. Then, click on the company’s ESD account. You can submit the expatriate application.

What is your work right with a Malaysia Employment Pass?

You can only work for your company in Malaysia. However, if you change your employer in Malaysia, you must apply for another Employment Pass.

What is the processing time for an Employment Pass to work for a company in Malaysia?

Usually, it takes three days to process your pass. However, you can apply seven days earlier to avoid delays in your travel to Malaysia.

How much is EP in Malaysia?

The processing fee for an Employment Pass in Malaysia is RM 125. However, you must pay a fee of RM 200 every year.

Conclusion

In conclusion, working in Malaysia has many benefits for foreign workers, especially if you have the skills and academic qualifications for the job. In addition, you must also have the experience you need for the work.

However, you must have the requirements to get a Malaysia Employment Pass to work in Malaysia. Thus, you can consult this article if you plan to visit Malaysia this year as a foreign worker.

Malaysia Employment Pass – Documentation and Application