With a diverse economy and relatively low cost of living, Malaysia has become a popular destination for foreign career starters. It offers a practical environment for international workers, along with natural attractions and a rich food culture.
If you want to work in Malaysia, there are certain immigration policies you need to know before applying for a Malaysian work visa. In most cases, your employer must start the process by applying for the correct work pass on your behalf.
Visa requirements for short stays depend on your nationality, and short-stay entry does not authorize employment. For work, professional activities, or training, you generally need an approved Malaysian work pass first. Some applicants must also obtain a Visa With Reference, eVISA, or Single Entry Visa before traveling to Malaysia, depending on nationality and pass type.
Steps to Apply for a Malaysian Work Visa
Applying for a Malaysian work visa usually starts with an employer application for an Employment Pass (EP), Professional Visit Pass (PVP), or another relevant pass. The Expatriate Services Division (ESD) and MYXpats Centre handle Employment Pass, Professional Visit Pass, and related expatriate-pass services through the ESD online system.
After your employer’s application is approved, you can proceed with the visa or endorsement steps that apply to your nationality and location. Be guided by the following steps:
Step 1. Apply for an Employment Pass
Your employer, not you as the applicant, applies for the Employment Pass or Professional Visit Pass through the ESD online platform. The employer will fill in the required information, upload the required documents, and include dependents only where the pass category allows it. PVP holders are not entitled to apply for a Dependent Pass.
Once all required documents have been submitted, EP and PVP applications are generally processed within five working days.
Step 2. Obtain the Employment Pass
The ESD system will notify your employer when the EP or PVP application is approved. Your employer can then download and print the approval letter. Applicable fees will be advised through the online system.
Step 3. Apply for Visa with Reference
If you are outside Malaysia and your nationality requires a visa, you may need to use the approval letter, Visa Approval Letter, or eVAL to obtain the appropriate Visa With Reference, eVISA, or Single Entry Visa before traveling. If your nationality does not require a visa for the relevant purpose of entry, you may not need a separate entry visa, but you must still complete the pass endorsement process after approval.
Step 4. Submit Your Application to the Embassy
If a visa is required, submit the relevant documents to the Malaysian embassy, consulate, or eVISA platform that serves your country of residence. These documents usually include your approval letter and passport, and the exact requirements may vary by nationality and mission.
The current ESD application fees are RM2,160 with SST for an Employment Pass and RM1,296 with SST for a Professional Visit Pass. Immigration endorsement fees are separate and depend on the pass duration and visa requirements. For example, EP endorsement fees include an EP fee of RM200 per year and a processing fee of RM125 per application, while PVP endorsement fees are RM90 per quarter, plus any applicable visa fee.
After you enter Malaysia, you generally have 30 days from the entry date to complete endorsement of the EP sticker. New applicants who enter through KLIA Terminal 1 may be able to complete EP or PVP sticker endorsement at the ESD Satellite Centre, subject to Immigration Department discretion. For renewals, an ePASS may be generated through ESD Online, subject to eligibility.
Types of Malaysian Work Visa
Malaysia uses different visas and passes depending on the type of work, length of stay, and applicant profile. For expatriates, the two common pass types processed through ESD are the Employment Pass and the Professional Visit Pass.
| VISA TYPE | DETAILS |
|---|
| Employment Pass (EP) | This pass allows an expatriate to take up employment with an organization in Malaysia. It is subject to the employment contract and is generally issued for up to 60 months. The EP is valid only for the company named in the pass, so a change of employer requires a new application. |
The current EP categories are:
- Category I: basic monthly salary of at least RM10,000; employment contract up to five years; dependents allowed.
- Category II: basic monthly salary from RM5,000 to RM9,999; employment contract up to two years; dependents allowed.
- Category III: basic monthly salary from RM3,000 to RM4,999; employment contract not exceeding 12 months; dependents not allowed; maximum of two renewals.
For applications submitted on or after June 1, 2026, the revised salary thresholds are Category I at RM20,000 and above, Category II at RM10,000 to RM19,999, and Category III at RM5,000 to RM9,999. Salary requirements are based on basic salary only, excluding allowances and other payments. |
| Separate from the EP, Malaysia also issues the Visit Pass (Temporary Employment), also known as VP(TE), for approved foreign workers in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, plantation, and services. Foreign worker applicants must usually be between 18 and 45 years old at the time of application, must come from an approved source country, and must meet medical requirements. |
| Foreign Domestic Helpers are handled under a separate Visitor’s Pass/Temporary Employment process. FDH applicants must be female, from an approved country, medically fit, residing in the country of origin, and between 21 and 45 years old. |
| Professional Visit Pass (PVP) | This pass is granted to foreign talents with acceptable professional qualifications or skills who enter Malaysia temporarily to provide services or undergo practical training with a Malaysian company on behalf of an overseas company. The maximum duration is 12 months, and no extensions are allowed beyond 12 months. |
The current PVP categories are:
- Category I: Expertise Transfer
- Category II: Research
- Category III: Training at ESD-registered companies
- Category IV: Volunteers
- Category V: Exhibitors under the regulation of the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB)
- Category VI: Student Internship under foreign embassies, ESD-registered companies, or hotels
Hotel trainee placements are subject to additional conditions, including hotel-rating restrictions and a maximum duration of six months. |
| PVP holders may only work for the company named in the pass and are not entitled to apply for a Dependent Pass. |
Documents Needed for a Malaysian Work Visa
When you have met the eligibility requirements, your employer can prepare the documents to be submitted to the Malaysian authorities. The exact checklist depends on the pass type, sector, nationality, and whether the application is new, a renewal, or a change of employer.
| WORK VISA REQUIREMENTS |
|---|
- Recent passport photo with the required specifications
- Copy of passport, including the full booklet with cover and all pages, in clear color scan
- Passport validity of more than 12 months at the time of application submission
- Copy of highest educational certificates or professional certificates, with translation or certified true copy requirements where applicable
- Latest comprehensive resume showing relevant professional experience
- Employment contract duly stamped by the Malaysia Inland Revenue Board, for EP applications
- Detailed job description printed on the company’s official letterhead, for EP applications
- Supporting document from the relevant Approving Agency or Regulatory Body, if applicable
- Release letter from the previous employer in Malaysia, for change-of-employer applications
- Personal bond, security bond, offer or acceptance letter, memorandum of understanding, letter of award, or contract, where required for PVP applications
- Recent payslips, tax filings, EA Form, tax receipts, or other supporting documents, where required for renewals or changes of position
- Any other documents requested by ESD, MYXpats, the Immigration Department, or the Malaysian mission handling your visa
|
There may still be additional documents not listed here but required for your application. Always check the latest checklist from ESD, MYXpats, the Immigration Department, and the Malaysian embassy or consulate in your country of residence before submitting your application.
We hope this article on How to Get a Work Visa in Malaysia was helpful. For more information, you can visit our Study in Malaysia Page, our online guide that will give you tips and insights as you navigate your educational journey in the country. Plus, you can start exploring the countless opportunities waiting for you by checking out these available courses for international students!
