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Malaysia work visa
Malaysia work visa: Employment Pass, salary, and process
The main Malaysia work visa is the Employment Pass, an employer-sponsored permit for skilled foreign professionals, issued through the Expatriate Services Division in three salary-based categories. There are also the Professional Visit Pass for short-term work and the DE Rantau Nomad Pass for remote workers. Salary thresholds rose on 1 June 2026.
✓ Category III can now bring dependants
✓ Strong demand for IT and engineering talent
Data current as of June 2026
Quick facts for the Malaysia work visa
Use these key numbers as a starting point. Malaysia raised its Employment Pass salary thresholds on 1 June 2026 under the New Expatriate Employment Policy. The figure that matters depends on your category. Always confirm the figure for your own case before you rely on it.
What the Malaysia work visa is
The main Malaysia work visa is the Employment Pass, an employer-sponsored permit that lets skilled foreign professionals work in managerial, technical, or specialist roles. It is administered by the Expatriate Services Division, and your employer must be registered and approved before your pass is issued.
The Employment Pass comes in three categories based on your monthly basic salary, with higher categories offering longer validity and more flexibility. For short-term or remote work there are other routes, namely the Professional Visit Pass and the DE Rantau Nomad Pass.
Malaysia is a fast-growing hub for technology, finance, and shared services, with strong demand for Indian talent and a relatively low cost of living. In 2026, the rules changed under a new policy. Choosing the right route is the most important early decision. We assess this for you before you start.
Not sure which Malaysia route fits your profile?
Get a clear eligibility check across the Employment Pass categories and the other routes before you commit time to an application.
Malaysia Employment Pass categories
The Employment Pass is split into three categories by monthly basic salary, and the thresholds rose on 1 June 2026. The table below sets out the categories and what they offer in 2026.
| Category | Monthly basic salary | Typical validity |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | RM 20,000 or more | Up to 5 years, dependants allowed |
| Category II | RM 10,000 to RM 19,999 | Up to 2 years, succession plan needed |
| Category III | RM 5,000 to RM 9,999 | Up to 12 months, dependants now allowed |
Source: Expatriate Services Division, ESD Announcement 266 and the New Expatriate Employment Policy, effective 1 June 2026. Thresholds apply to new and renewal applications.
For most skilled Indian professionals, Category I or II is the usual route, depending on salary. We confirm which category gives you the strongest application and the best validity and family rights.
Want to know which category is best for you?
We map your salary and role to the right Employment Pass category and prepare your file for that path.
What changed under the 2026 policy
On 1 June 2026, Malaysia brought in the New Expatriate Employment Policy, which reset the Employment Pass rules. The key changes for Indian professionals are below.
- Category I rose to a minimum of RM 20,000 a month, from the previous RM 10,000.
- Category II rose to RM 10,000 to RM 19,999, and Category III to RM 5,000 to RM 9,999.
- Employers hiring Category II and III holders must submit a Local Succession Plan to the authorities.
- For the first time, Category III holders can bring a spouse and unmarried children under 18 on a Dependent Pass.
- Manufacturing and selected services companies now apply through the MIDA Expatriate System, while other sectors use the ESD.
The thresholds apply to all new and renewal applications, so applying on the current figures matters. We make sure your file reflects the new policy so it is not refused on outdated numbers.
Malaysia work visa salary requirements
The Employment Pass salary thresholds are set per category, in monthly basic salary, and rose on 1 June 2026. The table below sets out the current figures. The salary must be clearly stated in your employment contract.
| Category | Minimum monthly basic salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | RM 20,000 or more | Premium tier, longest validity |
| Category II | RM 10,000 to RM 19,999 | Most common professional tier |
| Category III | RM 5,000 to RM 9,999 | Succession plan required |
| GBS sector exception | Earlier thresholds may apply | Selected roles, assessed by MDEC, into 2027 |
Source: ESD Announcement 266, the New Expatriate Employment Policy, and MDEC guidance, 2026. Thresholds are set by the authorities and can change. Confirm the current figure before relying on it.
Because the salary sets your category, it shapes your validity, your family rights, and the conditions on your employer. We confirm the exact figure and category that apply to your Malaysia work visa.
Other Malaysia work routes
Beyond the Employment Pass, a few other routes suit specific situations. The table below sets out the main alternatives in 2026.
| Route | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Visit Pass | Short-term experts and consultants | Foreign pay only, up to 12 months, no dependants |
| DE Rantau Nomad Pass | Remote workers for a foreign employer | 12 months, renewable for 12 |
| Residence Pass-Talent | Established highly skilled expatriates | 10 years, can change employers |
| Dependent Pass | Spouse and children of a pass holder | Linked to the main pass |
Source: Immigration Department of Malaysia and rai.malaysia.gov.my, 2026. The Professional Visit Pass and DE Rantau pass do not allow work for a Malaysian employer.
For most skilled professionals taking a Malaysian job, the Employment Pass is the right route, while these alternatives suit short stays, remote work, or established talent. We confirm the best fit for you.
Short-term, remote, or long-term, which suits you?
We check whether the Employment Pass, the Professional Visit Pass, or another route is right for your Malaysia work visa.
How the Malaysia work visa process works
The process is employer-led and runs through the ESD or the MIDA Expatriate System. The flow below shows the usual path for an Indian applicant.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Employer registration | Your employer registers and is approved on the ESD or MIDA system. |
| 2. Application | The employer submits your Employment Pass application with your documents. |
| 3. Approval and visa | The authorities approve the pass and issue a Visa with Reference. |
| 4. Entry | You get your entry visa at the Malaysian mission and travel to Malaysia. |
| 5. FOMEMA medical | You complete the FOMEMA medical examination within 30 days. |
| 6. Pass issued | Your Employment Pass is finalised, now usually issued digitally. |
Employer registration and the right channel are the most important early steps. We help your employer set up correctly and guide you through the entry and medical stages so nothing stalls.
Want your file checked before it is submitted?
A complete file and a correctly registered employer are the best way to avoid avoidable delays. We review every document with you first.
Malaysia work visa fees and processing time
Government costs are modest, and the main effort goes into the employer registration and the application. Processing times are estimates and depend on the category and a complete file. The table below sets out the main figures.
| Item | Amount or time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass government fee | Around RM 250 to RM 500 | Varies by category and duration |
| Employer registration | Around 5 to 15 working days | Via the Xpats Gateway |
| Category I and II processing | Around 6 to 8 weeks | From a complete application |
| Category III processing | Around 8 to 12 weeks | Additional scrutiny applies |
Source: Expatriate Services Division and Immigration Department of Malaysia, 2026. Fees and times are set by the Malaysian authorities and can change. Visa issuance, the FOMEMA medical, and document costs are extra.
Extra costs include the entry visa, the FOMEMA medical, document certification, and any professional support. We give you a clear, full cost picture so there are no surprises later in the process.
Why professionals choose Malaysia
Malaysia is a fast-growing economy and a regional hub for technology, finance, shared services, and manufacturing, with strong demand for skilled talent, English widely used in business, a relatively low cost of living, and a large Indian community. It is an attractive base for professionals and families alike.
This keeps the Malaysia work visa popular with Indian professionals, especially in IT and engineering. In 2026, Malaysia reset its Employment Pass rules under the New Expatriate Employment Policy, raising salary thresholds and adding succession-plan requirements, so applying on the right category with a complete file matters more than ever.
From 1 June 2026, the Employment Pass minimum monthly basic salary is RM 20,000 for Category I, RM 10,000 to RM 19,999 for Category II, and RM 5,000 to RM 9,999 for Category III, and Category III holders may, for the first time, sponsor dependants.
Factual policy position, Expatriate Services Division, Government of Malaysia. ESD Announcement 266 and the New Expatriate Employment Policy, with MOHA Cabinet approval, effective 1 June 2026.
For applicants, the takeaway is simple. A salary that clearly meets your category, a registered employer, and a complete file give you the strongest position, and Category I or II offers the best validity and family rights.
What applicants should do next
Start with an eligibility check to confirm your category against the 2026 thresholds, your qualifications, and that your employer is registered. Secure a genuine offer from a Malaysian employer. Then prepare your documents so the employer can file a strong application.
Meeting the criteria improves your chances, but the final decision rests with the Malaysian authorities. We help you prepare well, present your case clearly, and follow the correct steps so your application has the strongest possible footing.
Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about your Malaysia work visa
Our immigration experts guide Indian professionals through every step of the Malaysia work visa, from the eligibility check to the right Employment Pass category, the application through the ESD or MIDA system, the entry visa, and the FOMEMA medical. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com to start your free assessment today.