Dreaming of working in Malaysia, a vibrant hub of culture, innovation, and opportunity? The economy of Malaysia is booming, which attracts a lot of professionals from across the globe. Understanding Malaysian immigration regulations is crucial to making your career aspirations a reality. It does not matter if you are a fresh graduate, a skilled worker, or an aspiring entrepreneur; a work visa in Malaysia opens doors for everyone. Although the process of acquiring a visa might seem a bit intimidating, it is a straightforward process. From skilled labor work permits to short-term passes, Malaysia has a visa for everyone and their unique careers. Are you ready to fulfill your career aspirations? Here’s what you need to know to prepare for this work adventure.
Who Needs a Malaysia Work Visa?
Any foreign national who plans to work in Malaysia must first obtain a work permit. This requirement covers both skilled and unskilled jobs and applies to all industries and occupations. Each foreign worker must have the proper work permit obtained by their employer before starting work, guaranteeing compliance with Malaysian immigration regulations. Only once the authority agencies in charge of awarding work permits to international employees approve the application will you be able to begin working in Malaysia.
Types of Malaysian Work Permits
The Malaysian government grants foreign nationals the following types of work visas:
The Employment Pass
Foreign nationals can obtain a Malaysia Employment Pass if they have highly skilled roles in Malaysian enterprises, such as managers and technicians. Before an applicant can get an Employment Pass in Malaysia, the Expatriate Committee or a competent regulatory agency must approve the employment circumstances. Malaysian work permits can be awarded for one to five years, depending on the exact situation or job duration, and they are renewable annually.
The Professional Visit Pass
A Malaysia Professional Visit Pass is granted to foreign citizens who work for foreign companies in Malaysia and want to stay there temporarily (up to 12 months).
The Temporary Employment Pass
Foreign employees who intend to remain in Malaysia for two years or less are eligible for the Malaysia Temporary Employment Pass. The two categories for this visa type are as follows:
1. Foreign worker temporary employment pass—To be eligible for this pass, the foreign worker must work in construction, plantations, manufacturing, agriculture, or services. Furthermore, only citizens of selected countries are eligible for this kind of pass.
2. Foreign domestic helper temporary employment pass – Only female workers from authorized countries are eligible for this visa. In this scenario, the foreign worker would only work from home if her employer had elderly parents or little children that needed to be looked after.
Requirements for Getting a Malaysia Work Visa
The conditions for getting a Malaysian work visa vary depending on the type of work permit you are qualified to receive.
- The Employment Pass requires that you have the necessary qualifications for the position you will be filling (diploma, certificates) and relevant work experience. Your monthly salary should be at least RM3,000, and in some cases, up to RM10,000.
- The Temporary Employment Pass has requirements based on age and country. For instance, you have to be from specific countries and between 18 and 45 years old. Furthermore, you must be a woman between the ages of 21 and 45 to work as a foreign domestic helper. The TEP does not need any qualifications that are deemed highly competent.
What Documents Do You Need?
The requirements vary depending on the kind of Malaysian work permit you seek. You will need to get an employment pass if a company is incorporated in Malaysia. You'll need a diploma, employment pass, and proof of job experience. Other general requirements include:
- A valid passport
- Two colored passport photographs
- A completed application form
- An employment contract
- Copies of educational certificates
- Past employment testimonials
- Income tax receipts
- Approval letter from Immigration
- Confirmed flight tickets
- Malaysian company’s invitation letter
- Document containing place of birth, birth certificate and other personal details
How to Get a Malaysia Work Visa
Your employer must submit your Malaysian work permit application on your behalf. They have to apply through Malaysia's Immigration Department. You may visit Malaysia if the Immigration Department accepts your application, or if you are a citizen who needs a visa, you may apply for one with reference. The steps necessary to obtain a valid work visa are as follows:
1. Apply for Quota Approval or Expatriate Post
Before applying for an Employment Pass, the employer must first apply for an Expatriate Post through the Expatriate Committee (EC) or another applicable authority body. The Malaysian government has approved the following agencies to manage the approval of Expatriate Posts:
- Manufacturing and Services: Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA)
- Finance, Insurance, and Banking: Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM)
- Technology: Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC)
- Securities and Futures market: Securities Commission (SC)
- Biotechnology: Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp – BC)
- Other sectors: Expatriate Committee (EC)
Employers who wish to hire someone with a Temporary Employment Pass must apply for quota approval. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has delegated quota approvals to the Local Centre of Approval. Employers who receive approval from one of the agencies responsible for authorizing the expatriate post or quota must apply for a Malaysian work visa at the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
2. Approval of Malaysia Work Permit
Before you can enter Malaysia, your work visa application must be approved by the country's immigration department. You will obtain a visa approval letter if your application is accepted, enabling you to enter Malaysia. This is where the procedure varies based on your country of origin. You must get a Malaysian entrance visa (visa with reference) from the closest Malaysian Representative Office (embassy or consulate) if you are from a country where visas are required.
3. Apply for a Malaysian Work Visa
As previously stated, citizens of countries that require a visa must apply for a Malaysia Visa With Reference in person at a Malaysian Embassy or Consulate in order to be granted entry. Following approval of the visa by the Malaysian Immigration Department, the applicant for a Malaysian visa with reference must apply at an Embassy or Consulate. A Visa Without Reference, however, is regarded as a tourist visa. As a result, the Malaysian Embassy or Consulate can grant these visas without the Immigration Department's consent. Citizens of visa-free countries can enter Malaysia with a Visa Approval Letter.
4. Get Your Work Permit Issued
Workers must visit the Malaysian Immigration Department upon arrival, present their passports, and pay the Pass fee. Immigration officers will process your applications, place stickers on passports to provide work passes, and give the employees work permit cards. After that, workers can begin working with a work permit card and a work pass.
Malaysia Work Visa Fee
If you wish to work in Malaysia, you will need to pay both a Malaysian Work Pass price and a visa fee in your home country. Malaysian work permits vary in price according to their duration. The Malaysia employment pass costs RM200 ($45.48) per year, while the Malaysia professional visit pass costs RM360 ($81) annually.
Processing Time
The Ministry of Home Affairs does not provide a timeframe for obtaining work visas for international workers. It could take 6 to 12 months, depending on how detailed the documentation is.
Renewal of Work Visa
Generally, you will be eligible to renew your Malaysian work visa if you still meet the necessary conditions when it expires. You will be requested the same supporting documents as for your initial application, as well as some additional information such as salary stubs and proof that you have fully paid your taxes. A release letter from your previous company attesting to your relocation is also required if you are renewing your visa and changing employers.
Can You Bring Your Relatives on a Malaysian Work Visa?
Only those who have Employment Passes are permitted to travel to Malaysia with their families. With the Malaysia Dependent's Pass, you are allowed to bring the following family members if you are an EP holder:
- Your spouse
- Dependent children below the age of 21
The following family members may also be brought to Malaysia by EP holders using the Long Term Social Visit Pass: Children over 21 who are dependent (biological or adopted) and spouse.
A Social Visit Pass allows the following family members to visit an EP holder:
- Stepchildren
- Common law wife
- Parents
- Children over 21
Conclusion
It takes a lot of preparation to get a Malaysian work visa. Foreigners can successfully find work in Malaysia by being aware of the prerequisites, qualifying standards, and application procedure. Malaysia is a desirable location for foreigners wishing to progress their careers because of its dynamic culture, varied economy, and friendly atmosphere.
