Application for Employment Pass:
There are three (3) types of employment pass:
- Category I (Expatriate with a basic salary above Rm 10,000 per month)
- Category II (Expatriate with a basic salary between Rm 5,000 to Rm 9,999 per month)
- Category III (Knowledge/Skilled worker with a basic salary between Rm 3,000 to Rm 4,999)
Basic differences:
| Category I | Category II | Category III |
| Employment Contract up to 5 years | Employment Contract up to 2 years | Employment contract must not exceed 12 months |
| Dependants allowed | Dependants allowed | Dependants NOT allow |
Exemption From Minimum Salary of RM 5,000 For Category III Application:
- Before applying employment pass for Category III, the company needs to obtain approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) to seek exemption from the minimum salary requirement of Rm 5,000.
- This is COMPULSORY for a company that falls under the unregulated sector or Regulatory Bodies, which is not in the purview of any Approving Agencies.
| Unregulated Sector i.e.: business services, oil & gas, and etc. | |
| Regulatory Bodies | Sector |
| Ministry of Education | Education |
| Ministry of Health (Traditional & Complementary Medicine) | Healthcare |
| Ministry of Tourism and Culture | Tourism |
| • National Sports Institute, Ministry of Youth and Sport
• National Sports Council, Ministry of Youth and Sports • Related Associations |
Sports |
| Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries | Agriculture |
| Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (Bioeconomy) | Biotechnology |
| Department of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Transport | Aviation |
| Department of Mineral and Geoscience, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment | Mining |
| Unit PUSPAL, Ministry of Communications and Multimedia | Entertainment & Performance |
| Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) | Construction |
| Equestrian Association of Malaysia | Equestrian |
- The application for exemption the minimum salary requirement of Rm 5,000 can be done through ESD online by selecting a function for EP-III status under the setting.
Minimum requirements to meet for all three (3) categories:
- Degree and above, with at least 3 years’ experience in the relevant field;
- Diploma, with at least 5 years’ experience in the relevant field;
- Technical Certificate or equivalent, with at least 7 years’ experience in the relevant field.
Requirements for Shareholders:
- Shareholder(s) must have a minimum 30% entity in the company; AND
- Must be an SSM-registered Director of the company AND/OR holds a key position in the company.
Note :
(1) Any changes in the applicant’s allotment of shares will affect the eligibility requirements. Please inform the Inspectorate Unit (JKI) of the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) officially in writing for any changes in the shareholder share allotment, together with the copy of relevant documents. (2) This is the minimum criteria required to apply for Employment Pass. However, the approval of the application is subject to the discretion of the Expatriate Committee.
Documents Required:
| Category I (Expatriate with a basic salary above Rm 10,000 per month) |
| · Recent passport photo u
· Copy of passport (full booklet with cover) · Copy of highest educational certificates *Please include a copy of Professional certificate (if applicable) · Latest comprehensive Resume · Release letter from the previous employer in Malaysia (for change of employer only) · Copy of Employment Contract (duly stamped by Malaysia Inland Revenue Board) · Supporting document from Approving Agency / Regulatory Body (if applicable) · Detailed Job Description printed on company’s letterhead · Latest 3 months’ salary slips (for Employment Pass renewal and change of position) · Latest e-BE /e-M tax filing (for Employment Pass renewal or change of position or change of employer) · Tax payment receipts (if any) · Latest EA Form (for Employment Pass renewal or change of position or change of employer) · Account statement from Malaysia Inland Revenue Board (Note: upon request) · Other documents specified upon request |
| Category II (Expatriate with a basic salary between Rm 5,000 to Rm 9,999 per month) |
| · Recent passport photo u Copy of passport (full booklet with cover)
· Copy of highest educational certificates *Please include a copy of Professional certificate (if applicable) · Latest comprehensive Resume · Release letter from the previous employer in Malaysia (for change of employer only) · Copy of Employment Contract (duly stamped by Malaysia Inland Revenue Board) · Supporting document from Approving Agency / Regulatory Body (if applicable) · Detailed Job Description printed on company’s letterhead · Latest 3 months’ salary slips (for Employment Pass renewal and change of position) · Latest e-BE /e-M tax filing (for Employment Pass renewal or change of position or change of employer) · Tax payment receipts (if any) · Latest EA Form (for Employment Pass renewal or change of position or change of employer) · Account statement from Malaysia Inland Revenue Board (Note: upon request) · Other documents specified upon request |
| Category III (Knowledge/Skilled worker with a basic salary between Rm 3,000 to Rm 4,999) |
| · Recent passport photo u Copy of passport (full booklet with cover)
· Copy of highest educational certificates. *Please include a copy of Professional certificate (if applicable) · Latest comprehensive Resume · Release letter from the previous employer in Malaysia (for change of employer only) · Copy of Employment Contract (duly stamped by Malaysia Inland Revenue Board) · Supporting document from Approving Agency / Regulatory Body (if applicable) · Detailed Job Description printed on company’s letterhead · Latest 3 months’ salary slips (for Employment Pass renewal and change of position) · Latest e-BE /e-M tax filing (for Employment Pass renewal or change of position or change of employer) · Tax payment receipts (if any) · Latest EA Form (for Employment Pass renewal or change of position or change of employer) · Account statement from Malaysia Inland Revenue Board (Note: upon request) · Other documents specified upon request |
For application or enquiry, click “Enquiry of Employment Pass“.