Employment Pass
The Employment Pass (EP) is a work permit that allows an expatriate to work for a company in Malaysia. The pass is subject to the terms of the work contract (up to 60 months). It is the responsibility of the employing organisation to submit the application before the employee travel to Malaysia.
Types of Employment Pass
Category 1
key post positions in a company, such as executives, CEOs, technical or managing directors, project managers etc.
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a monthly salary of at least RM10,000.
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a work contract of up to five years.
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EP can be renewed.
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allowed to hire a Foreign Domestic Helper.
Category 2
managerial and professional positions in a company, such as a marketing or investment manager, lecturers, directors, architects, etc.
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have a salary between RM5,000 and RM9,999.
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a work contract of up to two years.
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EP can be renewed.
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allowed to hire a Foreign Domestic Helper.
Category 3
non-executive positions in a company that require significant work experience and specific technical or practical skills. For example, designers (fashion, manufacturing, furniture), craftsmen, food technologists, etc.
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earn a monthly salary between RM3,000 and RM4,999.
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a work contract of up to two years.
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EP cannot be renewed more than two times.
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not allowed to hire a Foreign Domestic Helper.
Eligibility Criteria for Employment Pass Applications for Expatriate(s) / Knowledge / Skilled Worker(s)
The minimum requirements to apply for an expatriate post are as follows:
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Degree and above, with at least 3 years’ experience in the relevant field;
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Diploma, with at least 5 years’ experience in the relevant field;
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Technical Certificate or equivalent, with at least 7 years’ experience in the relevant field;
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Applicant must work in a managerial, executive or technical position which requires specific skills;
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Applicant must meet the required salary requirements; and
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Applicant must not take up work in a sector which is considered restricted by the Government of Malaysia.
If the expatriate is only to act as a shareholder, these are the requirements:
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Shareholder(s) must have a minimum of 30% equity in the company; and
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Must be a SSM-registered Director of the company and/or holds a key position in the company.
Authority Approval and Licensing Requirement
Depending on the Applicant’s profession, the Applicant’s employer has to apply for the Expatriate Post at one of the following government-approved agencies:
- Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) for the sectors of manufacturing and services.
- Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) for the technology sector.
- Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM) for the sectors of finance, insurance, and banking.
- Bioeconomy Corporation for the sector of biotechnology and bio-based industry.
- Securities Commission (SC) for the sector of securities and futures market.
- Expatriate Committee (EC) (operating under the Immigration Department of Malaysia) for sectors other than those mentioned above.
Once the Expatriate Committee or another authorized agency has approved the employer’s application, the employer can proceed to apply the Employment Pass.
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