Quick answer: Neither Immigration's ESD guidebook nor MIDA's Employment Pass guidelines set a fixed number of expatriates a company may hire. A company submits a projection of its planned expatriate hires for the year, including renewals, and can request a new projection with justification if the approved number is used up. Approval depends on the post, the availability of Malaysian expertise and the employer's efforts to hire Malaysians, with the Expatriate Committee deciding. Malaysia Digital companies also have access to an MDEC foreign knowledge worker quota under their approval.
- No fixed numeric quota is published by ESD or MIDA.
- Companies submit a yearly projection of expatriate hires.
- A new projection can be requested with justification.
- Approval looks at Malaysian expertise and local hiring efforts.
- Category II and III need a succession plan from 1 January 2027.
How the Number Is Set
| Element | How it works |
|---|---|
| Projection | Planned hires for the year, including renewals |
| Used up | Request a new projection with justification |
| New position not in ESD Online | Position request with a five-working-day charter |
| Decision | The Expatriate Committee decides case by case |
What Supports a Larger Projection
- A clear business reason for each post.
- Salary at or above the category minimum.
- Evidence that Malaysian talent was considered.
- A localisation or succession plan for Category II and III roles.
- Capital and operations that support the headcount.
Other Routes and Limits
| Route | Position |
|---|---|
| MIDA route | No numeric quota in the guidelines. Approval depends on Malaysian expertise and local hiring efforts |
| MDEC route | MD companies have a foreign knowledge worker quota under their approval, with each hire approved separately |
| Succession plan | Mandatory for Category II and III from 1 January 2027 |
Mistakes
Quoting an old ratio from the internet
No fixed ratio is published in the official guidelines.
Applying without a projection
ESD works from the projection.
No local hiring story
It is part of the assessment.
Need a pass sorted out? WhatsApp us. We will check your case before you apply.
How We Help
What we handle for you
Before you apply
- Check that your company meets the requirements and that the post and salary fit the right category.
- Prepare your business plan and financial plan from your company idea or business model, where the application needs one.
Application
- Prepare and submit the pass application and respond to Immigration's queries.
Why companies choose us
End-to-end under one roof
- We handle company incorporation, accounting and payroll as well as expatriate pass applications, 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
Quick answers.
How many Employment Passes can a company get in Malaysia?
No fixed number is published. It depends on the projection, the posts and the Expatriate Committee.
What is a projection?
A list of planned expatriate hires for the year, including renewals.
Can I increase the projection?
Yes, by requesting a new one with justification.
Is there a local-to-foreign ratio?
The official sources reviewed do not set one.
Does MIDA have a quota?
MIDA's guidelines set no numeric quota.
Does MDEC have a quota?
MD companies have access to a foreign knowledge worker quota, with each hire approved separately.
What do approvers consider?
The post, Malaysian expertise and local hiring efforts.
Does a succession plan matter?
It is mandatory for Category II and III from 1 January 2027.
Can a small company hire several expats?
It can apply, subject to capital, posts and approval.
What if a new post is not in my projection?
Submit a position request first.
Do renewals count toward the projection?
Yes. The projection includes renewals.
Can you plan our expatriate headcount?
Yes. We plan posts, salaries and projections together.
Sources
Official sources
- Immigration Department (ESD), ESD Online Guidebook V5 (September 2024)
- MIDA, Employment Pass guidelines (1 June 2026)
- MDEC, Expatriate Services FAQ
- Immigration Department (ESD), Revised Employment Pass Salary Policy effective 1 June 2026
This page is general information, not legal advice. Agencies change their requirements, so confirm the current rules with the Immigration Department (ESD) and MIDA, or with us, before you act. Checked November 2026.
Talk To Us Now
Hiring or relocating an expatriate? We will check your case first. All consultations are by video call.