Employment Pass (EP) – West Malaysia work permits
The Employment Pass (EP) is a work authorization permit that allows foreign professionals to be employed by organizations operating in Malaysia. Before submitting an EP application for a prospective employee, the hiring company must first register an account with the relevant authority—either the Expatriate Service Division (ESD) for non-IT sectors or the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) for digital and technology-related companies—and ensure all prerequisites are met.
The EP is issued based on the employment contract, with a validity of up to 60 months. Approval from either ESD or MDEC is mandatory before the Immigration Department of Malaysia can issue the pass. Expatriates are permitted to work only for the employer specified in the EP. Changing employers requires cancellation of the current pass and submission of a new application.
EP holders earning a monthly salary of RM5,000 or more are eligible to apply for Dependent Passes for their family members and to hire foreign domestic helpers.
Employment Pass Categories:
Employment Pass (EP) – East Malaysia work permits
The East Malaysia Employment Pass (EP) is a specific work permit for foreign nationals who intend to work in the states of Sabah and Sarawak. It is crucial to understand that immigration authority in Malaysia is split: the federal government (through the Immigration Department of Malaysia in Peninsular Malaysia) handles work passes for the peninsula, while the states of Sabah and Sarawak have their own, autonomous immigration systems.
Therefore, a work pass issued for Peninsular Malaysia (like an Expatriate Pass under the Employment Pass or a Professional Visit Pass (PVP)) is not valid for working in Sabah or Sarawak. A separate East Malaysia EP must be obtained.
The EP allows qualified foreign talent to reside and work with a specific employer in a specific job role in Sabah or Sarawak for a designated period. It is intended for positions that require specialized skills and knowledge that are not readily available in the local labour market.
Professional Visit Pass (PVP) West Malaysia
The Professional Visit Pass (PVP) is a temporary work visa designed for foreign experts who are transferring skills, providing specialized services, delivering training, or undergoing practical attachment with a Malaysian-registered company.
The sponsoring company must be registered with the Expatriate Service Division (ESD) and satisfy all requirements before applying for a PVP. This pass is valid for 12 months and is non-renewable. PVP holders are prohibited from receiving any salary in Malaysia and may perform duties only for the company specified in the pass. Changing employers necessitates a new application. PVP holders are not permitted to bring dependents to Malaysia.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant Requirements:
- Must be an expert, trainer, technician, or consultant in a specialized field.
- Should possess recognized qualifications or substantial professional experience relevant to the assignment.
- Must not receive any salary or remuneration from a Malaysian source. Compensation should be paid by the home country employer or sponsoring entity.
- Company Requirements:
- The sponsoring organization must be registered with the Expatriate Service Division (ESD).
- The company must demonstrate a legitimate need for foreign expertise not readily available in the local market.
- Required to provide a detailed justification letter outlining the purpose and duration of the visit.
Application Process
- Step 1: Company Registration
- Register the sponsoring company with ESD and obtain a secure login for the online portal.
- Step 2: Document Submission
- Submit the following documents through the ESD system:
- Completed PVP application form
- Copy of the applicant’s passport (valid for at least 18 months)
- Detailed CV highlighting the applicant’s expertise
- Letter of assignment from the home employer
- Support letter from the Malaysian host company
- Program agenda or training outline (if applicable)
- Step 3: Approval and Visa Issuance
- Processing time: Approximately 45 working days.
- Upon approval, the applicant will receive a Visa Approval Letter.
- The applicant must then enter Malaysia and complete the pass endorsement at the immigration counter.
Key Conditions and Limitations
- Duration: Strictly 6 – 12 months, with no option for renewal.
- Employment Restrictions:
- PVP holders must not receive any salary or payment from Malaysian entities.
- All activities must be confined to the sponsoring company.
- Change of Employer: Not permitted. A new application is required if changing sponsors.
- Dependents: PVP holders are not allowed to bring family members (spouse/children) to Malaysia.
Permitted Activities Under PVP
- Conducting technical or managerial training
- Providing specialized advisory or consulting services
- Equipment installation, testing, or commissioning
- Short-term knowledge transfer programs
- Academic or research collaboration (non-teaching roles)
Why Choose Professional Visit Pass?
- Ideal for short-term projects requiring specialized foreign expertise.
- Faster processing compared to long-term work passes.
- No minimum salary requirement or quota restrictions.
- Enables knowledge sharing without long-term employment commitments.
Resident Pass Talent
Introduced in April 2021 through a joint initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) and the Immigration Department of Malaysia, the Resident Pass – Talent (RP-T) is a long-term, renewable 10-year visa aimed at retaining highly skilled expatriates in Malaysia.
- Benefits of the RP-T:
- Reside and work in West Malaysia for up to 10 years
- Change employers without renewing the pass
- Include spouse* and children under 18 as dependents under the RP-T
- Dependent children under 18 may attend primary or secondary school in Malaysia
- Spouse* is permitted to work without a separate Employment Pass
- Parents and parents-in-law eligible for a renewable 5-year Social Visit Pass
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Minimum of 3 consecutive years working in Malaysia under a valid Employment Pass
- Must hold a valid EP with more than 3 months’ validity at time of application
- Minimum monthly basic salary of RM15,000 (excluding allowances and bonuses)
- Possess a Malaysian income tax file number and proof of tax payments for the 2 most recent years
- Total annual declared income must be at least RM180,000
- Hold a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree, or a professional diploma from a recognized institution
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience
FAQ
- What is the difference between an Employment Pass (EP) and a Professional Visit Pass (PVP)?
- The EP is a renewable work permit for long-term employment (up to 5 years) with a Malaysian company, allowing dependents and local salary payment.
- The PVP is a non-renewable short-term visa (6-12 months) for specialized assignments like training or consulting. PVP holders cannot receive salary in Malaysia or bring dependents.
- Which authority processes my work visa application?
- Non-IT companies apply through the Expatriate Service Division (ESD)
- IT/Digital companies apply through Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
- All applications require approval before the Immigration Department issues the pass
- Can I change employers with an Employment Pass?
- Changing employers requires cancellation of your current EP and submission of a new application by your new employer.
- What are the key restrictions of the Professional Visit Pass (PVP)?
- Maximum 12-month validity (non-renewable)
- No salary from Malaysian sources permitted
- Cannot bring dependents
- Activities limited to the sponsoring company
- Changing sponsors requires a new application
- Who is eligible for the Resident Pass – Talent (RP-T)?
Applicants must:
Have worked in Malaysia for 3+ consecutive years with a valid EP
- Earn minimum RM15,000 monthly basic salary
- Have valid EP with 3+ months validity when applying
- Possess degree/diploma from recognized institution
- Have 5+ years relevant work experience
- Have paid Malaysian taxes for 2+ years (minimum RM180,000 annual declared income)
- What are the benefits of the Resident Pass – Talent?
- 10-year renewable validity
- Freedom to change employers without pass renewal
- Spouse and children under 18 eligible as dependents
- Spouse can work without separate Employment Pass
- Parents eligible for 5-year renewable social visit pass
- Children can attend primary/secondary school in Malaysia
- How long does the PVP application process take?
- Approximately 45 – 60 working days processing time after complete document submission.
- What documents are required for a PVP application?
- Completed application form
- Passport copy (18+ months validity)
- Detailed professional CV
- Assignment letter from home employer
- Support letter from Malaysian host company
- Program agenda/training outline (if applicable)
- Can PVP holders engage in employment activities?
No. PVP holders are restricted to specific activities including:
- Technical or managerial training
- Specialized advisory services
- Equipment installation and testing
- Knowledge transfer programs
- Academic/research collaboration (non-teaching)
- Is the Resident Pass – Talent renewable?
Yes. The RP-T is renewable every 10 years, provided eligibility criteria continue to be met.
- Can PVP holders convert to an Employment Pass?
Yes, but they must return to their home country and apply for an EP through standard procedures meeting all EP requirements.
- What happens if I violate my pass conditions?
Violations may result in:
- Immediate pass cancellation
- Fines and deportation
- Future visa restrictions for applicant and sponsoring company