🇲🇾 Malaysia · Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
Quick answer
Foreigners need an appropriate pass to work — commonly the Employment Pass (EP) for professionals; the Immigration Department administers passes, usually with a sponsoring employer. The DE Rantau and MM2H schemes offer other routes.
Foreigners need an appropriate pass (e.g. Employment Pass) to work in Malaysia; the Immigration Department administers passes, usually with sponsoring-employer approval.
- Work requires an Employment Pass or other approved pass.
- Passes are employer-sponsored and role/salary dependent.
- The Immigration Department and relevant agencies approve applications.
Step-by-step
- 1
Match to the right pass
Skilled foreign professionals use the Employment Pass (EP), graded by salary into categories; the employer sponsors the application.
- 2
Employer registers and applies
The employer registers with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) or the relevant regulator (such as MDEC for tech) and applies for the pass.
- 3
Get approval and the visa reference
On approval you receive a Visa With Reference (VDR) if your nationality requires an entry visa.
- 4
Enter Malaysia and endorse the pass
Enter Malaysia and have the Employment Pass endorsed in your passport.
- 5
Register dependants and complete formalities
Apply for dependant passes if applicable and complete any medical or registration formalities.
- 6
Renew and consider longer stay
Renew the pass before expiry; long-serving professionals may explore the Residence Pass-Talent.
Checklist
- Correct pass identified (Employment Pass category)
- Employer registration (ESD / MDEC / sector regulator)
- Salary threshold met for the EP category
- Pass application + approval
- Visa With Reference (VDR) if required
- EP endorsement in passport
- Dependant passes if applicable
- Renewal / Residence Pass-Talent considered
Official authorities
- Immigration Department of Malaysia
Immigration authority — passes and visas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Employment Pass?
The main work pass for skilled foreign professionals, employer-sponsored and tied to a minimum salary and role.
Can I bring my family?
Higher-tier Employment Pass holders can usually sponsor dependants for a Dependant Pass.
Is there a route for remote workers?
The DE Rantau Nomad Pass targets remote workers and digital freelancers; the MM2H programme offers longer-stay residence.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- MyGovernment Portal — Malaysia government services portal
- Immigration Department of Malaysia — Visas, passes (Employment / DE Rantau) and MM2H
- Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) — Income tax and tax-number registration
- Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) — Foreign investment and manufacturing/services licensing