How to Get a Malaysian Work Permit in 2025

Do I need a work permit in Malaysia?

Generally, you will need a work permit if you meet any of the following conditions:

• You are a foreign national who has received a job offer from a Malaysian employer.
• You plan to engage in any form of paid employment within Malaysia.
• You are transferring to Malaysia as an intra-company transferee.

What is the difference between a work permit and a work visa in Malaysia?

If you intend to work in Malaysia, you must know the difference between a work permit and a work visa. Both are essential components of the legal process for foreign nationals seeking employment in Malaysia, but they serve different purposes and are obtained through different procedures. 

What is a Malaysian work visa?

A Malaysian work visa, officially known as a Visa With Reference (VDR), is the entry visa required for foreign nationals who have secured a job in Malaysia. It is issued after your employer obtains approval for your Visa Approval Letter (VAL) from the Malaysian Immigration Department that allows you to enter the country for employment purposes.

For most foreign nationals, the VDR is a mandatory prerequisite to enter Malaysia for employment. Your employer applies for the VDR on your behalf, and once it's approved, the Malaysian embassy or consulate in your home country issues the visa based on the VAL.

However, if you are from a visa-exempt country, you may enter Malaysia using only your VAL, without needing to obtain a separate VDR. Once you arrive in Malaysia with your VAL, you can proceed with the work permit endorsement process.

To find out if your country requires a VDR, refer to the official Visa Requirement List by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

Note: Regardless of visa requirement status, all foreign employees must obtain a work permit endorsement after arrival before beginning employment.

What is a Malaysian work permit?

The work permit is the final endorsement that allows you to work legally in Malaysia. It is only issued after you arrive in the country with a valid Visa With Reference (VDR) and Visa Approval Letter (VAL). 

Once you arrive in Malaysia, you must undergo a mandatory post-arrival medical examination through FOMEMA (Foreign Workers’ Medical Examination Monitoring Agency). This medical check ensures you meet the health requirements set by the Malaysian government before you can begin employment.

As of March 1, 2025, all foreign workers are also required to obtain an ePASS endorsement, which replaces the previous manual work permit sticker. The ePASS is a digital work pass issued by the Expatriate Services Division (ESD), and it is linked to your passport and employer information.

Your employer is responsible for initiating the work permit process by submitting your employment contract, scheduling your FOMEMA medical exam, and completing the ePASS endorsement through the ESD portal. After the ePASS is approved, you can legally start working in Malaysia. 

Note: Working without a valid work permit endorsement, even with a VDR, is considered illegal and may result in penalties or deportation.

What are the types of Malaysian work permits?

Malaysia offers several work permit types, each designed to cater to different employment situations and professional levels. Understanding which work permit is right for you is essential for a smooth application process. Here are the main types of work permits available in Malaysia:

Employment pass

This work permit type is for highly skilled foreign professionals with specific expertise, qualifications, or technical skills. There are three categories under the Employment Pass:

• Category I
  
  • Monthly salary: RM10,000 and above
  • Contract duration: Up to 5 years
  • Renewable and eligible for dependents, including spouse and children
     
• Category II
  
  
  • Monthly salary: RM5,000 to RM9,999
  • Contract duration: Up to 2 years
  • Renewable and eligible for dependents, including spouse and children
     
• Category III
  
  
  • Monthly salary: RM3,000 to RM4,999
  • Contract duration: Up to 12 months
  • Can be renewed twice
  • No dependent pass is allowed under this category

Temporary Employment Pass 

This work permit is issued for jobs with wages below the salary threshold of the Employment Pass and are usually unskilled or semi-skilled positions. It is often required for foreign workers in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and plantation work. The Temporary Employment Pass is typically valid for up to two years and can be renewed based on the employer’s needs.

Professional Visit Pass

This work permit is for foreign workers transferred to a Malaysian branch of their company. It is often used for short-term assignments, internships, or training programs, and is usually valid for a maximum of 12 months without the option for extension.

Residence Pass-Talent 

This work permit is designed for highly skilled expatriates who wish to live and work in Malaysia for an extended period. It is valid for up to ten years and provides more flexibility than the Employment Pass. 

Foreign Domestic Helper Permit

This work permit is specifically for foreign nationals employed as domestic helpers. This permit is available to individuals from approved countries with the required eligibility criteria set by the Malaysian government. The permit is typically valid for up to two years and can be renewed.

Dependent Pass

This is for family members (spouse and children) of foreign workers in Malaysia with an Employment Pass, Temporary Employment Pass, or Residence Pass-Talent. While this pass allows family members to stay in Malaysia, it does not grant them the right to work. But they can apply for a work permit if they find employment.

DE Rantau Digital Nomad Pass

Malaysia’s DE Rantau Nomad Pass is tailored for digital freelancers and remote professionals working with foreign clients or companies. This visa allows you to live and work remotely in Malaysia for up to 12 months with an option to renew. It is open to professionals in IT, digital marketing, creative fields, software development, and more. To apply for this permit, applicants must show a minimum income of USD 24,000/year.

Investor Pass

The Investor Pass is a new work authorisation route introduced by the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) for foreign investors establishing or significantly contributing to Malaysian companies. This permit is valid for up to 5 years and is renewable. It also allows your family members to stay in Malaysia. 

How to get a Malaysian work permit

To work in Malaysia, your employer must first apply for a Malaysian work permit on your behalf. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Apply for Expatriate Post or Quota Approval

Your employer must obtain approval for an Expatriate Post (for skilled employment) or Quota (for lower-skilled roles) from the relevant authority for the sector they operate in before applying for your work permit. All applications must be submitted through the ePPAx system, a centralised platform for processing expatriate employment requests.

An Expatriate Post or Quota Approval is an authorisation to hire a foreigner for a job role that a Malaysian cannot fill. 

Malaysian authorities that issue an Expatriate Post or Quota Approval include:

• Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) for manufacturing and services sectors.
• Malaysia Digital Economic Corporation (MDEC) for the technology sector.
• Bank Negra Malaysia (the Central Bank of Malaysia) for finance, insurance, and banking sectors.
• Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp – BC) for the biotechnology sector.
• Securities Commission (SC) for the securities and futures market.
• Expatriate Committee (EC) for all other sectors.

For a Temporary Employment Pass, your employer must apply for quota approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Local Centre of Approval.

Once the relevant agency approves the expatriate post or quota, your employer can submit the work permit application to the Malaysian Immigration Department.

2. Get approval for the work permit

Once the Expatriate Post or Quota is approved, your employer must submit the work permit application to the Malaysian Immigration Department via the ESD portal. The type of Employment Pass must be specified based on the employee's salary and role. Whether Category I, II, or III (see Employment Pass categories above). 

If the employee’s salary changes and they are moved to a new category (e.g., from Category III to II), the existing pass must be cancelled, and a “Change of Category” letter must be submitted along with a fresh application. Once approved, the Immigration Department issues a Visa Approval Letter (VAL) to proceed to the visa application step.

3. Apply for a Malaysian work visa

Foreigners from visa-required countries must apply for a Malaysian Visa With Reference from a Malaysian Embassy or Consulate. You can travel to Malaysia with your Visa Approval Letter if you are from a visa-exempt country. You can find the full list of visa-required and visa-exempt countries here.

4. Get your work permit 

Upon arrival in Malaysia, submit your passport and pay the necessary fees at the Malaysian Immigration Department. You must also undergo a mandatory medical screening through FOMEMA (Foreign Workers’ Medical Examination Monitoring Agency). 

This screening is required before a work permit can be endorsed. The exam must be completed within a specified timeframe after arrival, and failure to pass will result in the cancellation of the application.

As of March 1, 2025, physical work permit stickers have been replaced by ePASS,  a digital endorsement system launched by the Expatriate Services Division (ESD). Once your medical exam is cleared, your employer submits the ePASS request online, your passport is uploaded and verified digitally, and the ePASS (digital permit) is issued and linked to your passport electronically. This typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, depending on document accuracy and verification timelines. Once the ePASS is issued, you can start working legally in Malaysia.

Documents required for Malaysian employers to submit a work permit application 

To legally hire a foreign national in Malaysia, employers must submit a comprehensive work permit application through the ePPAx platform, the government’s official digital system for managing expatriate employment requests. They must also be registered with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) and have an active company profile in the ePPAx system.Application form for foreign worker quota

• Company registration details
• Employment structure details
• Copy of the employment contract
• Job description for the position
• Additional sector-specific documents or approval from Malaysian agencies. For example: MDEC (for digital/tech roles), MIDA (for manufacturing or services), Bank Negara Malaysia (for finance and insurance), Ministry of Health, BiotechCorp, or others depending on the sector.

Employers must upload all documentation through the ePPAx portal, which facilitates submission, tracking, and communication with the ESD and sector regulators.

Document requirements for employees

Employees must submit the following documents to obtain a work permit in Malaysia:

• A passport with a minimum validity of 18 months.
• Copies of academic certificates (depending on the work permit type)
• Completed and signed application form
• Original employment contract signed by both the employee and employer.
• Three recent passport-size photos
• FOMEMA Screening proof
• Confirmation letter from the employer about salary and tax revenues.

How can Translayte help?

When applying for a Malaysian work permit, many of your supporting documents — including educational certificates, employment contracts, medical reports, and other legal paperwork — must be submitted in Malay. However, it's not enough to simply translate them. The Malaysian Immigration Department requires certified translations for all documents to ensure legal accuracy and compliance with national standards.

Using uncertified or unofficial translations may result in application delays or outright rejection, especially during document verification or ePASS processing.

At Translayte, we provide certified translations in Malay that meet the strict documentation requirements set by Malaysian immigration authorities. We guarantee high-level translation services with an excellent deliverability rate. We also pride ourselves on our exceptional customer support, guiding you through the process and addressing any concerns to ensure your utmost satisfaction.

Timeline for obtaining a Malaysian work permit

The timeline for obtaining a Malaysian work permit typically ranges from 7 to 12 weeks. Here’s a breakdown of the timelines for all the processes involved;

1:3 Internship Policy

As part of Malaysia’s continued effort to nurture local talent and promote knowledge transfer from expatriates to the domestic workforce, the government has introduced the 1:3 Internship Policy, currently in a pilot phase from February to December 2025.

Under this policy, employers are encouraged to hire three (3) local interns for every one (1) expatriate employee brought into the company. While this initiative is voluntary, it is highly recommended, particularly for employers seeking Employment Pass approvals through the Expatriate Services Division (ESD).

Why It Matters:

• It demonstrates the company’s commitment to developing Malaysian talent and aligns with national objectives for skills transfer and local capacity building.
• Authorities may give priority consideration to companies with active local internship programs when evaluating expatriate post requests.

Employers participating in this pilot phase are advised to document and report internship engagements, including duration of each internship, fields of study, training objectives, intern feedback, and outcomes. Though not mandatory, adopting the 1:3 ratio can significantly increase the likelihood of work permit approval, especially in competitive sectors.

Malaysian work permit fees

The cost of a Malaysian work permit depends on the type of permit. 

Application fees for other Malaysian work permit types are based on specific conditions set by the Malaysian Immigration Department. We recommend checking their official website for the most accurate and updated fee information.

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