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Employment Pass
in Malaysia.

If you are a professional who wants to work in Malaysia, or a Malaysian business looking to hire foreign talent, our immigration experts can help you secure the Employment Pass (EP) efficiently and smoothly. 

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Employment Pass in Malaysia

What is an Employment Pass?

The Malaysia EP is a work permit that allows foreign nationals with specific skills and qualifications to take up employment in the country. 

Employent Pass in numbers.

5-10 days
Application duration
1 year
Length of stay
RM 3,000-10,000
Minimum monthly salary
Eligibility criteria

Who is eligible for the EP?

The Employment Pass is for foreign professionals who:

  • Hold academic qualifications appropriate for the role
  • Have at least three years of relevant work experience; additional experience may be required if qualifications are lower
  • Are employed in managerial, executive or technical roles that requires specialised skills
  • Meet the minimum salary threshold for the applicable EP category
  • Are not employed in a sector classified as restricted

Categories of employment pass:

  • Category I: Salary ≥ RM 10,000/month, contract term up to 5 years
  • Category II: Salary RM 5,000–9,999/month, contract up to 2 years
  • Category III: Salary RM 3,000–4,999/month, contract up to 12 months; typically for technical or skilled workers
Application process

How to apply for the Employment Pass?

As licensed agents, we assist you and your employer with the entire application process as required by the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) (for IT-related companies):

  • Obtain a written employment offer from the candidate 
  • Fill out the application form and upload the required documents 
  • Pay the application fee 
  • Monitor application status and respond to queries from authorities 
  • Obtain the Approval Letter and Visa with Reference Letter (VDR)* 

*The VDR is only applicable for certain countries that require visa payment. 

The Approval Letter: 

  • Confirms that the applicant’s EP application has been approved by the authorities 
  • Permits entry into Malaysia for the purpose of employment 
  • Is mandatory for all new EP applications under Category I, II and III 

Once the EP has been approved, we will:

  • Provide guidelines for eVisa* application 
  • Initiate the endorsement process for the issuance of the EP and iKad (EP identification card) 

*The eVisa is a single-entry visa that allows the applicant to enter Malaysia to complete the endorsement process and receive the EP.

Endorsement methods for ePass and iKad

There are two ways to complete the endorsement process and collect the iKad: 

Option 1: Collection at the airport upon arrival

  • Available only for arrivals at KLIA Terminal 1 and KLIA Terminal 2 
  • Provide us with your flight ticket and eVisa so we can initiate the request in the system for the authorities to prepare the ePass and iKad for your specific arrival date 
  • Once the request is approved, the applicant will receive an ESC KLIA Endorsement Approval Letter, which must be presented to collect the ePass and iKad at the airport. 

Option 2: Endorsement after arrival in Malaysia

  • The applicant can enter Malaysia as soon as they receive the Approval Letter and eVisa. 
  • Provide Acclime with a copy of the entry stamp so we can initiate the endorsement process in the system. 
  • The ePass will be issued online via the immigration system, and the iKad will be delivered to the company’s address. 

Taking care of the whole immigration process from start to finish.

Pre-application eligibility check

Assess eligibility based on role, qualifications and salary to ensure EP requirements are met. 

Real-time application tracking

File and track EP applications through every stage. 

Delivery of official documents

Coordinate the issuance and delivery of EP and related documents upon approval. 

Renewal and pass management

Manage renewals, cancellations and updates for continued compliance. 

Application documents

What you will need to apply.

To apply for the EP, we will need your:

  • Full passport copy (all pages including front & back hard cover page)
  • Applicant resume
  • Passport size photograph with sky blue background
  • Job description
  • Highest education certificate
  • Employment contract
  • MyFuturejob advertisement acknowledgement/Approval Letter (only applicable for salary below RM 15,000)
  • Latest Malaysia tax documents (only applicable for applicant that previously work in Malaysia)
Ready to get started?

Our dedicated immigration team can process your visa application quickly and reliably.

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Not sure where to begin?

Schedule a free 30-minute discovery call to discuss starting & operating your company in Malaysia.

Henry Ng, Sales Director

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