Question 1

What is the minimum salary for a Malaysia Employment Pass in 2026?

Accepted Answer

From 1 June 2026 the minimum basic monthly salary is RM20,000 for Category I, RM10,000 to RM19,999 for Category II, and RM5,000 to RM9,999 for Category III (RM7,000 to RM9,999 for manufacturing-related services).

Question 2

What is the minimum salary for Employment Pass Category I?

Accepted Answer

RM20,000 and above in basic monthly salary, up from RM10,000. Category I holders are eligible for Dependant Passes and the pass is capped at 10 years with the same employer. No succession plan is required.

Question 3

What is the minimum salary for Employment Pass Category II?

Accepted Answer

RM10,000 to RM19,999 in basic monthly salary, up from RM5,000 to RM9,999. Capped at 10 years with the same employer, and a documented succession plan is now mandatory.

Question 4

What is the minimum salary for Employment Pass Category III?

Accepted Answer

RM5,000 to RM9,999 in basic monthly salary, up from RM3,000 to RM4,999. For manufacturing-related services the range is RM7,000 to RM9,999. Capped at 5 years, a succession plan is mandatory, and Dependant Pass eligibility now extends to Category III for applications submitted on or after 1 June 2026.

Question 5

When did the new Employment Pass salary policy take effect?

Accepted Answer

1 June 2026. The Ministry of Home Affairs published the revised policy on 14 January 2026 following Cabinet approval on 17 October 2025.

Question 6

Do the new thresholds apply to Employment Pass renewals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every renewal submitted on or after 1 June 2026 is assessed under the new thresholds regardless of how long the employee has been with the company. Complete applications submitted before 1 June remain under the previous framework, provided any returned applications are resubmitted within 90 days.

Business Guides in Malaysia

Malaysia Employment Pass Salary 2026: Thresholds, Categories and What Employers Must Do

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