application details
Category 2 Employment Pass
Note: Skip the reading and get in touch with our team directly! Our AI assistant is available 24/7 to answer your questions.
What's a Category 2 EP?
A Category 2 Employment Pass (EP) is used to hire expatriates for a wide range of mid-level managerial and supervisory roles, and includes most positions in between a company’s top and bottommost roles.
Key details
- It offers a maximum validity period of 24 months
- Applications typically take 2 - 3 weeks to approve
- Holders are allowed to bring dependents and hire maids
- Requires roles to pay M5,000 / month minimum
- It is a required supporting document for other license applications
Purpose
- Regulate foreign talent involvement in Malaysia's workforce
- Ensure positions are filled by local talents where possible
- Prevent abuse of lower category EPs
- Facilitate skill transfer to local talents
Requirements
Requirements are imposed on both Malaysian employer and expatriate, with approvals granted when there is alignment across role, candidate, salary, and EP category.
Paid-up capital
Minimum paid-up capital requirements depend on foreign shareholding percentage:
- – 100% local owned: RM250,000
- – Joint venture (minimum 30% foreign equity): RM350,000
- – 100% foreign-owned: RM500,000
ESD account registration
Companies that meet their paid-up capital requirements must register an employer account on the Expatriate Services Division portal, through which applications are submitted and tracked.
Role
For mid-level managerial roles within a company, including department heads, senior specialists, and equivalent technical positions.
Skilled foreign talent
Expatriate must meet one of the following to qualify as a skilled foreign talent:
- – Degree and above with at least 3 years’ experience
- – Diploma with at least 5 years’ experience
- – Technical Certificate or equivalent, with at least 7 years’ experience
Minimum salary
Category 2 Employment Passes require a non-negotiable RM5,000 monthly salary minimum.
Application steps
Step-01
Consultation
We schedule a meeting (online or physical based on your preference) to assess your eligibility.
Step-02
Document prep
With your help, we compile required paperwork, justification letters, and supporting documents.
Step-03
Submission
We submit your application through your ESD account then monitor and follow-up with officers as needed.
Step-04
Visa endorsement
We guide you through the visa endorsement and collection process with Immigration.
0
+
Successful applications
FAQs
If you are reading this as an employer in Malaysia, you absolutely can, provided you meet your paid-up capital threshold.
If you are reading as an expatriate, then no, as the application must be submitted by an employer.
We have years of experience helping businesses navigate Immigration guidelines and are familiar with what is needed for a successful application.
In short, if this is your first time applying, you'll have a much better chance of success through us (but of course there's no guarantee).
Yes, one of our primary services is company incorporation and provision of Company Secretarial services.
A Category 2 Employment Pass is probably appropriate if the role involves professional or managerial responsibilities, the monthly salary is at least RM5,000, and the position does not involve top-level executive decision-making such as director or C-suite roles.
If the candidate wants to bring over their family members, this also makes a Category 2 the only choice as Category 3 EPs do not allow dependents.
They serve different purposes.
Category 2 EPs offer shorter validity periods, but require monthly salaries of RM5,000 or more and are for non-senior leadership positions.
Category 1 EPs offer longer validity periods, but require monthly salaries of RM10,000 or more and are exclusively for senior leadership positions.
Both categories allow the holder to bring dependents to Malaysia.
The application may be returned for amendment by ESD. In some cases, if rejected, the application can only be appealed or resubmitted after one year.
ESD charges RM2,000 for each Employment Pass application regardless of category.
This doesn't include third party charges if you choose to engage a service provider like MISHU.
Follow Us
E-MAIL: hi@mishu.my
PHONE: +60-175159832
ADDRESS:
Bukit Jalil Office, Kuala Lumpur
A-3-3, Aurora Place, Plaza Bukit Jalil, No.1, Persiaran Jalil 1, Bandar Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur.
Iskandar Puteri Office, Johor
R45, B-02-01, Pusat Perdagangan Ion Akses, Persiaran Medini Sentral 6, Bandar Medini Iskandar, 79250 Iskandar Puteri, Johor.