A Malaysian Employment Pass (EP) is a work permit that allows foreign professionals to live and work in Malaysia for a specific employer and role. Applications must be submitted by the employer, who must first obtain approval to hire an expatriate before applying for the pass through the Immigration Department.

Each Employment Pass application costs RM2,000, excluding any additional immigration or visa-related fees.

To hire expatriates, Malaysian employers must:

• - Be a registered private limited company (Sdn Bhd) or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

• - Meet the minimum paid-up capital requirement

• - Obtain approval from the relevant approving agency or authority

• - Register the company with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) portal

The required paid-up capital depends on the company’s foreign ownership structure:

• - 100% locally owned company: RM250,000
• - Joint venture (minimum 30% foreign equity): RM350,000
• - 100% foreign-owned company: RM500,000

Foreign professionals must meet minimum education and experience requirements to justify hiring them over local candidates:

• - Degree or higher with at least 3 years of relevant work experience
• - Diploma with at least 5 years of relevant work experience
• - Technical certificate or equivalent with at least 7 years of relevant work experience

Malaysia has three Employment Pass categories, each with different salary thresholds and validity periods.

Yes, Category 1 and 2 holders can bring family members through Dependent Passes and Long-Term Social Visit Passes (LTSVP).

Category 3 holders cannot bring dependents.

A Dependent Pass allows legal spouses and children under 18 of an Employment Pass holder to live in Malaysia.

A Long-Term Social Visit Pass is for family members who do not qualify as dependents, including parents, parents in-law, and children 18 years old and older.

No.

The application process is completed through the ESD portal and generally involves:

1. 1. Registering the company with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD)
2. 2. Preparing all required documents
3. 3. Logging into the ESD portal
4. 4. Entering the expatriate and dependent information
5. 5. Setting up the job position under the Position Setup section
6. 6. Uploading all supporting documents
7. 7. Submitting the application

Once approved:

1. 1. The employer prints the approval letter
2. 2. Immigration fees must be paid
3. 3. A Visa With Reference (VDR) may be issued if required
4. 4. The expatriate’s passport is endorsed at MYXpats Centre or Immigration offices