Employment Pass in Malaysia

Employment Pass · Malaysia visa route

skilled · last reviewed 2026-08-03 · all Malaysia routes

An employer-led or qualification-based work route.

Route overview

Employment Pass (EP)

Typical timeline / duration: Subject to employment contract; ESD states EP may be issued up to 60 months. Tied to approved employer/position.

Important notes

Expatriate takes employment with an organisation in Malaysia; employer must be registered through ESD/myXpats where applicable; Expatriate Committee or relevant approving authority approval is required before Immigration issues the pass; contract/employment details and passport/documentation required.
Salary thresholds vary by EP category.

Preparation checklist

Confirm the financial evidence: Salary thresholds vary by EP category.
Save your submitted files and track the next application or renewal date.

Employment and professional routes

These routes serve a similar purpose or sit within the same visa family, so they are shown together for comparison; each has its own page.

Malaysia Professional Visit Pass A temporary route for approved professional or technical services in Malaysia on behalf of an overseas organisation. Open route →

Official source

Official source: Malaysia official source

Also look at similar visas from these countries

Higher rating for quality of life

Thailand Non-Immigrant B visa plus work permit An employer-led or qualification-based work route. Open this route → Japan Specified Skilled Worker Employer-linked work route for approved Specified Skilled Worker fields. Open this route →

More accessible countries

United Arab Emirates Employment residence For people with a UAE employer offer. Open this route → Indonesia Limited Stay Visa / ITAS for employment, including E23 work visa An employer-led or qualification-based work route. Open this route →

More affordable countries

India Employment visa Usually needs skilled/specialist work and employer documents. Open this route → Vietnam Work permit + temporary residence card The route combines the work permit and the related visa or temporary residence card. The employer or foreign worker files the work-permit application before work starts, then completes the entry and residence steps. Open this route →

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Visa rules change frequently. This page is a research guide, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the official source before applying.