Quick answer: An EP visa in Malaysia is the Employment Pass. It allows a foreign knowledge worker to work under a contract of service with a Malaysian organisation. It is applied for by the employer, not the worker. For IT companies on the MDEC route, Immigration issues it after MDEC approves the position. MDEC states a duration of 12 to 60 months, and that it covers employment in West Malaysia with the hiring company only. A separate entry visa may also be needed.
- EP means Employment Pass, a work pass applied for by the employer.
- It allows work under a contract of service with the hiring company in West Malaysia.
- Duration is 12 to 60 months depending on category and need.
- The worker may not take other paid work without Immigration's consent.
- Nationals who need a visa must obtain a Visa with Reference before travel.
Pass, Visa or Permit: Clearing the Terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Employment Pass (EP) | The work pass allowing a foreign knowledge worker to work for a Malaysian organisation under a contract of service |
| EP visa | Common search term for the Employment Pass. The pass itself is not an entry visa |
| Visa with Reference or eVisa | Entry visa that applicants of certain nationalities must obtain abroad after approval, before entering Malaysia |
| Pass sticker or ePass | The endorsement Immigration issues after approval, or the ePass printed from the Expats system on renewal |
What the Employment Pass Allows
- Employment under a contract of service with the Malaysian hiring company.
- Work in West Malaysia, with the hiring company only.
- Dependants: spouse and children under 18 may apply for a Dependant Pass.
- Long-Term Social Visit Pass for unmarried children over 18, parents and parents-in-law.
- Renewal, depending on requirements.
Who Can Apply
The employer applies, and the worker must qualify as a foreign knowledge worker: a bachelor's degree in any field, a diploma in multimedia or ICT or a specialised ICT certification with relevant experience, or a professional or technical role in IT-enabled services. Through MDEC the company must be an MD status company in operation or an operating ICT company that meets the non-MD rules. See our guide on the MDEC Employment Pass for the routes.
Three Categories, Three Salary Bands
| Category | Minimum basic salary (MDEC) | Maximum contract (MDEC) |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | RM20,000 per month | Up to 60 months, subject to MDEC discretion |
| Category 2 | RM10,000 per month | Up to 24 months |
| Category 3 | RM5,000 to RM9,999 per month | Not exceeding 12 months |
The category table above is as MDEC publishes it on its Expats Service Centre pages. Immigration's revised salary policy applies to applications received on or after 1 June 2026 and its FAQ says companies may apply for employment periods of up to 60 months, without listing validity by category. The two sources do not match on duration, so confirm the period you can request with MDEC before you quote it in an offer letter.
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Steps in Brief
Company is registered with MDEC
MD companies subscribe through the Expats System. Non-MD ICT companies register and are assessed first. The company uploads the Authorised Person Letter and the Expatriate Service Agreement.
Obtain JTKSM section 60K approval
Apply through Xpats Gateway. Approval is valid for 12 months and one application covers several vacancies.
Advertise on MyFutureJobs
Obtain the PERKESO acknowledgement letter for the vacancy unless an exemption applies.
Submit the FKW Projection Request
File in the eXpats system with all mandatory documents. The FKW Approval Committee decides.
Submit the individual FKW application
File through Xpats Gateway with online payment. MDEC and Immigration approve or reject, and MDEC issues the letter.
Visa, endorsement and start
The applicant stays outside Malaysia until the Approval Letter is issued and any Reference Visa or eVisa is obtained. Endorsement at ESC KLIA Terminal 1 or at the Expats Service Centre follows.
Common Mistakes
Treating the EP as a visa the worker applies for alone
The employer applies through MDEC and Xpats Gateway.
Travelling before the Approval Letter and visa are in place
MDEC requires the applicant to be outside Malaysia when the Approval Letter is issued.
Assuming it covers work for another company
The pass is tied to the hiring company.
How We Help
What we handle for you
Before you apply
- Check which MDEC route your company fits, MD status or non-MD ICT, and whether the post, salary and category match.
- Prepare the JTKSM, MyFutureJobs and supporting documents with your team and review them against MDEC's checklist.
Application
- Prepare the FKW projection and pass application for your company's authorised person to submit, and help you respond to MDEC and Immigration queries.
- MDEC states that companies are discouraged from nominating a third-party agent as the authorised person, so the submission stays under your own account.
Why companies choose us
End-to-end under one roof
- We handle company incorporation, Malaysia Digital status, accounting and payroll as well as expatriate pass preparation, so your structure, payroll and hiring plan stay aligned.
- The company is set up correctly from day one.
We check before you invest
- We confirm eligibility, including whether you can hire the expatriates you need, before a foreign investor decides to incorporate in Malaysia.
- Neutral Consulting PLT is a Kuala Lumpur firm led by a Managing Partner who is a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
Which companies can apply through MDEC?
MDEC's Expats Service Centre serves companies with Malaysia Digital (MD) status, or MSC Malaysia status, that are in operation and comply with the conditions of that status. It also serves ICT companies without MD status that are fully operational and use ICT as their core business, subject to a minimum paid-up capital, a physical office and an assessment by MDEC. Companies in non-qualifying activities, such as trading, staffing and staff augmentation, do not qualify.
What does an Employment Pass cost through MDEC?
MDEC's published charge is RM2,160 per applicant for an MD company and RM3,024 per applicant for a non-MD company, for new and renewal applications. A Dependant Pass or Social Visit Pass is RM540 per applicant, and an amendment of an approval letter is RM108. Immigration's own fees are on a separate Immigration schedule that MDEC links to, and this page does not quote them. Confirm the current amounts with MDEC before budgeting.
How long does an Employment Pass application through MDEC take?
MDEC states about 14 working days for an FKW Projection Request, about 7 working days for an individual FKW application, and 10 working days for the JTKSM section 60K approval that comes first. Endorsement takes 3 working days for an applicant already in Malaysia, and immediate endorsement at ESC KLIA Terminal 1 for an applicant arriving from abroad. A first-time MD company subscription takes about 2 working days, and a non-MD registration about 30 working days. These are stated service times for complete submissions, not guarantees.
Can the foreign hire be in Malaysia when the application is approved?
For a new Employment Pass, MDEC states that the applicant must be outside Malaysia when the Approval Letter is issued. The applicant may enter Malaysia only after obtaining the Reference Visa or eVisa, if one is required for the applicant's nationality. Someone who needs a visa must obtain a Visa with Reference while abroad.
Can the employee bring family?
MDEC states that the spouse and children under 18 are eligible for a Dependant Pass, and unmarried children over 18, parents and parents-in-law are eligible for a Long-Term Social Visit Pass. MDEC's charge is RM540 per applicant for each. Immigration's revised policy FAQ adds that Category III Employment Pass applications submitted from 1 June 2026 are subject to the revised policy for dependants, while passes issued under the earlier policy stay under the old rule, which does not permit dependants.
Can the holder take a second job or move to another company?
MDEC states that the holder may not take other paid employment in Malaysia without Immigration's consent, and that the pass covers employment with the hiring company. A move to a new employer is therefore a fresh application by that employer. Immigration's revised policy says the employment period starts from the date of employment with the new company.
Can an Employment Pass holder work anywhere in Malaysia?
MDEC states that the Employment Pass allows employment in West Malaysia with the hiring company only. The sources reviewed do not describe a separate arrangement for East Malaysia, so confirm with MDEC before posting a foreign employee there.
How does renewal work?
MDEC states that renewal applications go through Xpats Gateway with online payment, and that for an applicant in Malaysia MDEC processes it and Immigration issues the ePass in 3 working days, which the company prints from the Expats system. Immigration's revised policy FAQ allows renewals up to three months before expiry, requires the pass to still be valid when the application is filed, and says renewals filed on or after 1 June 2026 fall under the revised policy.
What is Xpats Gateway?
It is the government's single-window platform for Employment Pass applications. MDEC states that since 24 April 2024 all new and renewal Employment Pass applications under MDEC go through Xpats Gateway, using the same login as the MDEC Expats System. Once an application is forwarded to the MDEC eXpats system it can no longer be edited in Xpats Gateway, and changes must be requested from MDEC.
Is an EP the same as a work visa?
In everyday use yes, but the pass and the entry visa are separate. The Employment Pass is the work authorisation. An applicant who needs a visa must also obtain a Visa with Reference before travelling.
Can the worker apply for the EP alone?
No. The Employment Pass is applied for by the Malaysian employer. Through MDEC the employer files through Xpats Gateway.
How long does an Employment Pass last?
MDEC states 12 to 60 months depending on the nature of employment and the employer's need. Its category table gives up to 60, 24 and 12 months for Categories 1, 2 and 3. Immigration's revised policy FAQ says up to 60 months can be requested without listing validity by category, so confirm the period with MDEC.
Does an EP give permanent residence?
No. The pages reviewed describe the Employment Pass as a time-limited work pass. Permanent residence is a separate matter that this page does not cover.
Sources
Official sources
- MDEC, Expats Service Centre: services and eligibility
- MDEC, Pre-application process for MD companies
- MDEC, Pre-application process for non-MD companies
- Immigration Department (ESD), Revised Expatriate Salary Policy FAQ (updated 12 February 2026)
- MDEC, FKW declaration, headcount and additional requirements (June 2026)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Agencies change their requirements, so confirm the current rules with MDEC, the Immigration Department (ESD) and MIDA, or with us, before you act. Checked November 2026.
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