Work permit visa in Malaysia are usually obtained by the employer. If you own a company and want to hire a foreign national, be prepared for a long and exhausting process.

Employee and his family coming to Malaysia, who did not obtain work permits prior to arrival, are allowed to enter the country via social cards and obtain a work permit thereafter. So Employee should hold work permit before he need travel to Malaysia. Since Malaysia imposes strict laws on illegal workers, it is strongly recommended not to start work before issuing a work permit.


Depending on the type of job and skills, different working passes are issued when obtaining a work permit.

Types of Work Visa

Malaysia Employment Pass: This Work Permit is issued to employees with specific skills, usually for technical or managerial jobs. The minimum period is usually 2 years and can be extendable for temporary residence

Malaysia Temporary Employment Pass: This Work Permit is for employment for less than 2 years or for jobs with a monthly salary less than RM 5000.

Malaysia Professional Visit Pass: This Work Permit is to foreign nationals who remain employed by the company in the home country but are required by a Malaysian company to provide certain services for a period up to 6 months.