InCorp Malaysia provides immigration services for businesses and individuals seeking to work, live, or relocate to Malaysia. Our services include Employment Pass, Professional Visit Pass, Dependant Pass, MM2H, and PVIP applications, renewals, and immigration advisory support.
What is an Employment Pass in Malaysia?
An Employment Pass in Malaysia allows eligible foreign professionals to work legally in Malaysia under a sponsoring Malaysian company. It is commonly used for managerial, executive, technical, and professional roles, subject to salary, role, qualification, and approval requirements by the relevant Malaysian authorities.
Requirements For Obtaining a Work Visa in Malaysia
To obtain a work visa (officially known as an Employment Pass or EP) in Malaysia, you must first secure a job offer from a registered Malaysian company, as your prospective employer must sponsor and apply for your visa on your behalf through the portal. You cannot apply for a work permit independently.
An Employment Pass (EP) in Malaysia is the most common work visa for highly skilled foreign nationals in managerial, executive, and technical positions. EP applicants must have relevant academic qualifications and work experience, with eligibility also depending on their position and salary.
EP applicants are required to have proper academic qualifications and at least 3-5 years of relevant working experience.
The EP is issued depending on your position and salary. Check out the following 3 tiers:
| EP CATEGORY I | EP CATEGORY II | EP CATEGORY III |
|---|---|---|
| Key Posts and Senior Management | Managerial/Professional Posts | All other sectors: Technical and Skilled positions |
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Manufacturing Related Services (MRS) sector:
All other sectors:
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Important update: The revised Employment Pass salary thresholds are effective 1 June 2026, following Cabinet approval on 17 October 2025. All new and renewal applications submitted on or after this date must comply with the updated framework. Employers sponsoring Category II and III pass holders are additionally required to submit a succession plan demonstrating how local employees will be developed to assume the expatriate role within the pass duration.
What is a Professional Visit Pass in Malaysia?
The Professional Visit Pass (PVP) is issued to foreign workers who are working in Malaysia for a short period of time without being employed in any Malaysian company and are paid by their overseas company.
However, a sponsor in Malaysia must apply for the PVP on your behalf.
Foreign workers in the following categories are eligible for the PVP:
- Foreign artists in the filming/performing arts
- Islamic missionaries or other Religious workers
- Government officials on official visits
- Volunteers
*Take note that the above categories are not exhaustive.
What is a Dependent Pass in Malaysia?
Holders of Employment Pass Category I, II, and III are eligible to apply for a Dependent Pass for their legal spouse or biological/legally adopted children under the age of 18. They may also apply for a Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP) for their parents. Please note that Professional Visit Pass (PVP) holders are not eligible to apply for a Dependent Pass.
What is a Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Program?
The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program offers foreign nationals the opportunity to obtain a renewable, multiple-entry social visit pass. This pass allows participants and their dependents to live, study, or retire in Malaysia, provided they meet the financial criteria.
Perfect for those seeking a stable lifestyle, quality healthcare, excellent education, and a strategic base in Southeast Asia, MM2H combines convenience with opportunity.
What is a Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)?
The Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) provides high-net-worth individuals, investors, and global professionals with a 20-year renewable visa, offering the freedom to invest, work, or establish businesses in Malaysia.
This programme extends its benefits to dependants, including spouses, children, and parents, making it an ideal solution for those seeking both business opportunities and a fulfilling lifestyle.
How Does InCorp Malaysia Help With Immigration?
We help foreigners migrate to Malaysia by providing professional advice on immigration regulations, vetting all required documents before submission, and submitting work pass applications seamlessly to the relevant government authorities.
Apart from foreigners who wish to work, we also assist foreign entrepreneurs seeking opportunities to set up businesses in Malaysia.
InCorp Malaysia also offers the following services in Malaysia:
FAQs for Employment Pass in Malaysia
What is an Employment Pass in Malaysia?
- An Employment Pass in Malaysia is a work visa issued to foreign professionals employed by a Malaysian company. It allows the holder to live and work in Malaysia for a fixed period, subject to salary thresholds, job role, and approval by immigration authorities.
- A Malaysia work permit visa, most commonly the Employment Pass, lets sponsored foreign professionals work legally for a Malaysian employer. Requirements vary by Category I, II, or III, based on salary, role, and qualifications set by the Expatriate Services Division.
- Effective from 1 June 2026, minimum monthly salaries are RM20,000+ for Category I, RM10,000-19,999 for Category II, and RM5,000-9,999 for Category III (RM7,000-9,999 in manufacturing). Category II and III passes also require a succession plan showing how local employees will eventually take over the role.
- Official Expatriate Services Division (ESD) review takes 5 working days for a complete application. End-to-end, Category I and II passes typically take 6 to 8 weeks, and Category III takes 8 to 12 weeks, depending on document completeness and employer registration status.
- No. A foreigner cannot apply for an Employment Pass independently. The application must be sponsored by a Malaysian-registered company, which acts as the employer and submits the application on behalf of the applicant.
- Yes. Eligible Employment Pass holders may apply for dependant passes for their spouse and children, subject to meeting the applicable requirements and pass category conditions.
