The type of work permit issued by the government depends on the skill of the foreign applicant, as well as the remaining quota for that sector.

The relevant government agencies, such as the Ministry of Manpower, must assess the applications of foreign employees who desire to work for a company in Malaysia. The employer who is sponsoring the worker must also coordinate with the authorities to guarantee that admission is permitted.

These several work permits are issued by the Malaysian government:

1) Employment pass

2) Professional visit pass

3) Temporary employment pass

4) PLS@XPATS pass

5) Digital nomad visa

6) Regional Office Expatriate Visa

Employment Pass

This work visa enables foreign workers to start working for a company in Malaysia under a service agreement. Employees with particular capabilities, typically for technical or managerial professions, are given this pass.

The employment pass is classified into three categories:

Category I

Applicants must receive a monthly base salary of 10,000 ringgit (US$2,410) or more and have an employment contract of up to 60 months.

Category II

Applicants must receive a monthly base salary of above 5,000 ringgit (US$1,200) and under 10,000 ringgit (US$2,410) has an employment contract with a maximum validity period of 23 months. The employment pass may be renewed.

Category III

Employment pass category III is available to foreign nationals working on contracts of 12 months or less and with monthly salaries ranging from 3,000 ringgit (US$723) and under 5,000 ringgit (US$1,200). The employment pass may be renewed up to two times.

Category I & II

Applicants may bring eligible dependent(s) and/or foreign domestic helper(s), subject to approval and the employment pass may be renewed.

Category III

Applicants are not allowed tobring dependent(s) and/or foreign domestic helper(s).

Temporary Employment Pass

A temporary employment pass, also known as a visitor’s pass, is available to Malaysian businesses who need the immediate services of foreign workers with semi-skilled labour in particular industries. Employers may request a 12-month extension of the pass’ validity each year for a maximum of 10 years.

There are two types of temporary employment passes in Malaysia: For foreign workers in the construction, plantation, agriculture, manufacturing, and services; and Foreign domestic helpers.

Further, this work permit is open only to citizens from the approved countries:

• Bangladesh – Only allowed to work in the plantation sector through government-to-government agreements
• Cambodia
• India
• Indonesia
• Kazakhstan
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam

Digital Nomad Visa

Under the De Rantau programme, Malaysia has introduced the first visa for digital nomads in ASEAN, which will be available to applicants starting on October 1, 2022. For stays of up to 12 months, the programme is open to digital marketers, IT specialists, and content producers.

Foreign and local digital experts are welcome at De Rantau. Foreign nationals will be given a Professional Visit Pass, which will allow them to remain in Malaysia for three to twelve months, with the option to extend it for another twelve months.

De Rantau aims to attract two types of digital nomads: Digital freelancer, independent contractor; and Remoter workers (full and part-time).

As such, the profession of the digital nomad must be IT-related, such as software development, cloud, UX, UI, cybersecurity, AI, digital marketing, and digital creative content, among others.

Independent contractors or digital freelancers must present a valid project contract with a length of at least three months. Multiple contracts may be involved, and either foreign or Malaysian businesses may be the clients.

Remote employees must present a valid employment contract with a minimum term of three months. The employer may be based overseas or in Malaysia.

Professional Visit Pass

Foreign professionals having the required credentials or skills are given the professional visit pass so they can work temporarily in Malaysia for up to 12 months. They are not permitted to apply for a dependent’s pass and are only permitted to work for a Malaysian company on behalf of an international corporation.

Who is eligible?

People under the following categories are eligible to apply for a Professional Visit Pass:

• Islamic missionaries
• Foreign artists
• Government officials
• Volunteers
• International students
• Other religious workers

PLS@XPATS PASS

In October 2022, Malaysia introduced a new social visit pass called PLS@XPATS that enables holders to work there for up to 30 days. The type of job must be urgent or vital and is only permitted in a few industries, including manufacturing, construction, and education, among others.

An outline of the work that will be conducted is a requirement for acquiring the PLS@XPATS pass. The critical work, which is defined as emergency work, repair work, maintenance, installations, or recovery/reinstallation, must be carried out by foreign nationals hired by foreign firms under this pass.

Regional Office Expatriate Visa

IA Regional Office or Representative Office may apply for an expatriate position. Only management and technical positions will be open to expatriates, and the number of positions that can be filled depends on the duties and pursuits of the Representative Office/Regional Office.

The intended expatriate must be employed right now by the application company, a subsidiary of it, or another organisation in the group. The amount of tax due on an expat hired by the Representative Office or Regional Office depends on the percentage of their chargeable income that is related to how long they were in the nation for.

The approved expat’s employment pass is valid for one (1) year and must be renewed every year.