Quick answer: MDEC states that an Employment Pass holder may not take other paid employment in Malaysia without Immigration's consent, and that the pass covers the hiring company. A move to a new employer is therefore a new application by the new company, which must meet its own MDEC route. Immigration's revised policy FAQ says the employment duration is tied to the employing company and starts from the date of employment with the new company. The pages reviewed do not set out a dedicated change-of-employer procedure.
- The new employer applies and must be MDEC-eligible.
- The revised policy starts the employment period from the date of employment with the new company.
- MDEC lists transfer of endorsement with no MDEC charge, 'N.A.', in its fee table.
- The sources reviewed do not say whether section 60K and MyFutureJobs apply to a change of employer, so confirm.
- Never start with the new employer before the new pass is in place.
Why the New Employer Applies
The Employment Pass allows employment with the hiring company only, in West Malaysia. Moving to another company is a new employment relationship, which the new company must support with its own application through its own MDEC route, projection headcount and approvals. Immigration's revised policy FAQ confirms that the employment duration is calculated for the employing company and starts from the date of employment with the new company.
What the Sources Do Not State
MDEC's fee table lists Special Pass, Transfer of Endorsement and Cancellation of Passes as not applicable for MDEC's charge, which tells you those transactions exist but not how they work. Xpats Gateway exempts in-country position or category changes for Employment Pass holders from section 60K and MyFutureJobs, but that describes a change within the same employer and the pages reviewed do not say it covers a change of employer. Confirm with the Expats Service Centre before advising the person.
Checklist for the New IT Employer
- The company is eligible: MD status in operation, or non-MD ICT conditions met.
- The role and salary fit a category, on basic salary only.
- Projection headcount is available or requested.
- Section 60K and MyFutureJobs position confirmed with MDEC for a change of employer.
- The employee does not start until the new pass is in place.
- The previous employer's cancellation and notice are handled.
For the Current Employer
The existing company's pass relationship ends with the employee's departure. MDEC lists cancellation of passes among its services. The sources reviewed do not set the sequence between cancellation and the new application, so ask MDEC.
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Example: A Developer Moving Between Two MD Companies
Example. A developer on a pass with Company A receives an offer from Company B. Company B, an MD company, files its own application including the role in its projection. The employment duration it can request starts from the date of employment with Company B. The developer continues with Company A until the new arrangement is cleared. The timing depends on MDEC and Immigration steps this page cannot confirm.
Common Mistakes
Starting at the new company early
The pass covers the hiring company only.
Assuming the old duration carries over
The revised policy starts the period from the new employment date.
Assuming section 60K is exempt
The exemption stated is for in-country position or category changes.
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.
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.
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.
What is section 60K approval?
Section 60K of the Employment Act 1955 requires employers to get approval from the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) before employing an expatriate. It applies to private sector employers in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan under amendments effective 1 January 2023, applications go through Xpats Gateway from 1 July 2025, and it is required for new Employment Pass applications, valid for 12 months, and decided in 10 working days. Xpats Gateway states that operating without the required approval carries a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
Do we have to advertise the job on MyFutureJobs?
For new Employment Pass applications from 1 July 2025, Xpats Gateway requires the MyFutureJobs advertisement acknowledgement letter from PERKESO, with exemptions for renewals, in-country position or category changes, and positions on PERKESO's exemption list. PERKESO decides, and employers must follow its advertising guidelines. MDEC's pages describe this as SOCSO approval after advertising the vacancy.
What is an FKW Projection Request?
It is the request through the eXpats system for the number of foreign knowledge workers a company may hire. Under MDEC's June 2026 announcement, a company seeking new or additional FKW headcount files the request with all mandatory documents, MDEC reviews it, and the FKW Approval Committee decides. Only approved projection headcount allows the company to file individual FKW applications.
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.
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.
Who do we contact at MDEC?
The Expats Service Centre, MDEC, 2360 Persiaran APEC, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, at [email protected] or 03-8315 3106 and 03-8315 3157. For JTKSM section 60K questions, Xpats Gateway lists [email protected] and 03-8000 8000. For the MyFutureJobs step it lists PERKESO at [email protected] and 1300-22-8000.
Can the pass be transferred to a new company?
MDEC's fee table lists Transfer of Endorsement among transactions with no MDEC charge, so the term exists. The pages reviewed do not explain the process, so confirm with MDEC.
Does the Employment Pass category change with a new employer?
Immigration's revised policy FAQ says for a change of pass category the duration starts from the issuance date of the new category, and that take-up balance applications keep the existing category.
Sources
Official sources
- MDEC, Pre-application process for MD companies
- MDEC, Expats Service Centre: services and eligibility
- Immigration Department (ESD), Revised Expatriate Salary Policy FAQ (updated 12 February 2026)
- Immigration Department (ESD), Xpats Gateway FAQ
- MDEC, Application process for MD companies
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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