Work Visa
in Malaysia.

SALARY PAYMENT IN Malaysian Ringgit (MYR, RM)

CONTRACT LANGUAGES Malay / English

PAYROLL TAX 13.22%

PAYROLL CYCLE Monthly

TIME TO HIRE 24 hours
Get Started

Horizons-owned entity with local country experts in Malaysia.

We offer fair, scalable, and transparent pricing on Malaysia PEO service. Contact us for a cost breakdown

End service in Malaysia with no additional penalties or fees.

Attract and retain Malaysian talent with insurance, including vision, dental, death & disability, travel, and more.

Hire and pay talents
with Horizons in
180+ countries

Get started

Malaysia

Types of work visas in Malaysia

There are a range of different work visas for Malaysia, including the Professional Visit Pass, Temporary Employment Pass, and the standard Employment Pass. Of these available visas, the Employment Pass is usually suitable for hiring most foreign workers. This visa is available only for skilled employees, so before applying or sponsoring an employee for the visa, make sure that the relevant requirements are satisfied.

Required documents for a work visa in Malaysia

The following documents are required to apply for the Malaysia Employment Pass:

A valid passport with at least one empty page for the visa, and validity for at least 18 months from the date of application.
A completed visa application form.
Passport-sized color photographs.
An offer or contract of employment from a company registered in Malaysia.
A letter from the company sponsoring the application for a work visa.
Copies of the highest educational certificates or professional qualifications related to the job.
Medical health examination report.
Application fees

Process to get a work visa in Malaysia

Getting a work visa when the employee is based outside of Malaysia

The process proceeds as follows:

Job Offer — the applicant obtains a job offer from a Malaysian employer. The employer should be registered with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD).
Application by Employer — the employer applies to the ESD for an Employment Pass on your behalf. This is known as a Stage I application. The application will include details about the company, job offer, your qualifications, and other relevant information.
Approval of Stage I — If the Stage I application is approved, the ESD will issue an approval letter.
Stage II Application — the employer then submits a Stage II application to the ESD. This includes a personal bond and other required documents.
Visa Endorsement — Once the Stage II application is approved, you must get your passport endorsed with the Employment Pass by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

Getting a work visa when the employee is based inside of Malaysia

When based outside Malaysia, the approach is slightly different. Namely:

Job Offer — as above, the applicant first needs a job offer from a Malaysian employer.
Application by Employer — the employer applies to the ESD for an Employment Pass on the behalf. This is the Stage I application.
Approval of Stage I — if the application is approved, the ESD will issue an approval letter.
Entry into Malaysia — the approval letter allows the applicant to enter Malaysia. They may also need a Visa with Reference (VDR) depending on their country of origin. The VDR allows you to enter Malaysia for the specific purpose of obtaining your Employment Pass.
Medical Examination — once in Malaysia, the applicant may be required to undergo a medical examination at a designated clinic or hospital.
Stage II Application — the employer submits a Stage II application to the ESD, which includes the medical report and a personal bond.
Visa Endorsement — after approval of the Stage II application, the applicant must have their passport endorsed with the Employment Pass by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

Hiring in Malaysia, Made Easy

Your business can easily hire employees in Malaysia without opening a local entity. We handle local employment law, complex tax regulations, and international payroll in 180+ countries worldwide. All you need to do is focus on your business.

FAQs

Can Malaysia work visa holders bring their family members?

Yes. Employment Pass holders are able to bring family members to Malaysia. This is typically done through a Dependent Pass or a Long Term Social Visit Visa (LTSVV). Note — minimum income requirements usually apply.

A Dependent Pass is typically issued to the spouse or children (under 18 years old) of an Employment Pass holder. The Dependent Pass is valid for as long as the principal’s (i.e., the EP holder’s) employment pass.

A Long Term Social Visit Visa (LTSVV) is typically issued to parents or parents-in-law, unmarried children above 18 years old (including step-children, legally adopted children, or disabled children), or unmarried, dependent children under the age of 18.

How long can I stay in Malaysia on a work visa?

The Employment Pass is usually valid for a period between 6 months to 5 years. The validity of the Employment Pass is tied to the duration of the contract with the employer and it is usually decided by the Immigration Department of Malaysia when the pass is approved.

Success stories from businesses we’ve helped enter and grow in new markets.

Client Testimonials

"As a seed-stage, London-based startup, we were initially hesitant to expand internationally due to the administrative workload involved. Horizons completely took the headache out of the process, allowing us to hire a team of software engineers in Germany."

Gabor SzedlakCo-founder & COO

"I truly appreciated the thoroughness and the professionalism of Horizons personnel while we hired internationally with them. When they advised our international expansion, they spoke confidently and were knowledgable on all subject matters pertaining to international employment."

Gary PaskyVice President of Software Development

"On deciding to begin commercial activities in Asia Pacific, we needed a provider to handle the employment and remuneration of our workforce. With Horizons the result was fast, efficient, and fit-for-purpose. We recommend Horizons as an EOR provider.”

Chris MorrellManaging Director

"The collaboration with the Horizons team is excellent. Both our local employee as well as our HQ in Germany are more than pleased with the support provided and the simplicity of the service. We can highly recommend the Horizons solution to anyone."

Christoph EngelbertCo-Founder & CTO

"We needed an EOR that could provide expert support for payroll in APAC. We are pleased with Horizons’ expertise and the fact that they are flexible, responsive, and easily accessible from Belgium. They were able to provide services within the short timeline we required."

Katia FlamandHuman Resources

Horizons has been very effective in providing our company support in all the administrative procedures, sometimes complex, required by the Singaporean administration.

Gerald iannoneSales Director

Horizons’ team provided a superb service from start to finish, making a complex process a simple one. Everything was taken care of in an efficient and accurate manner, with quick communication whenever required. Highly recommended and would use again in the future if the need arises.

Philipp RinbergerManaging Director