Quick answer: Foreign IT talent coming to Malaysia has five main options through MDEC. An employer hires on an Employment Pass. Family joins on Dependant or Social Visit Passes. A remote worker employed abroad uses the DE Rantau Pass. A tech founder uses the Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme, with a Professional Visit Pass for new entrepreneurs and a Residence Pass for established ones. The right pass depends on who employs the person.
- Employment Pass: hired by a Malaysian MDEC-eligible company.
- Dependant Pass and Social Visit Pass: family of an EP holder.
- DE Rantau Pass: remote worker employed by an overseas company.
- MTEP: tech founders with PVP-MTE (1 year, renewable 1 year) or RP-MTE (up to 5 years).
- A social visit pass does not allow work.
The Options
| Pass | For | Key facts from MDEC |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | Foreign knowledge worker hired by a Malaysian company | 12 to 60 months, West Malaysia, hiring company only |
| Dependant Pass | Spouse, children under 18, disabled children | RM540 per applicant |
| Long-Term Social Visit Pass | Parents, parents-in-law, unmarried children over 18 | RM540 per applicant |
| DE Rantau Pass | Remote worker employed outside Malaysia | See MDEC's DE Rantau FAQ |
| PVP-MTE | New tech entrepreneur | Valid 1 year, renewable 1 more year, sponsor bond required |
| RP-MTE | Established tech entrepreneur, over 3 years of operation | Valid up to 5 years, renewable 5 years, dependants allowed |
If You Are Hiring: The Employment Pass
The employer applies. MDEC's three categories carry minimum basic salaries of RM20,000, RM10,000 and RM5,000 to RM9,999, with maximum contract lengths of up to 60, 24 and 12 months. Approvals needed before a new application are JTKSM section 60K and a MyFutureJobs acknowledgement, with an FKW projection approved by MDEC's Approval Committee. See our guide to the Employment Pass through MDEC.
If You Are Bringing Family
MDEC lists Dependant Pass eligibility as spouse, children under 18 (biological, adopted or step) and disabled children of any age. Social Visit Pass eligibility covers parents, parents-in-law, children aged 18 to 25 and a common-law spouse. Immigration's revised policy FAQ says Category III applications submitted from 1 June 2026 are subject to the revised policy on dependants, while passes issued under the earlier policy stay under the old rule, which does not permit dependants. See our guide on the 2027 Dependant Pass change.
If the Person Is a Founder
MDEC's MTEP FAQ says only tech founders and co-founders are eligible. New entrepreneurs hold a PVP-MTE and must be at a Malaysia Digital Hub or MRANTI partner. Established entrepreneurs, with over 3 years of operation backed by the latest 2 years of financial records, hold an RP-MTE and may set up anywhere in Malaysia. Only established entrepreneurs may bring dependants. The FAQ notes an existing Sdn Bhd owner may apply for an Employment Pass instead.
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If the Person Works Remotely for an Overseas Employer
MDEC's DE Rantau Pass is designed for remote workers. It is not for local hires by a Malaysian company. Read MDEC's DE Rantau FAQ and mandatory documents list for eligibility, because they set income and employment conditions that this page does not restate.
Common Mistakes
Picking a pass by the person's preference
The employer relationship decides the pass.
Assuming dependants for every EP holder
Dependant eligibility depends on category and issue date under the revised policy.
Mixing up the MTEP and the Employment Pass
MTEP is for founders. Team hires use the Employment Pass after the company is set up.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 a foreign founder get an Employment Pass for themselves?
MTEP's FAQ says a person with an existing Sdn Bhd may apply for an Employment Pass, and that after setting up a business the holder may renew the pass or apply for an Employment Pass through MDEC's pre-application pages. Eligibility depends on the company's route.
Who can sponsor an MTEP new entrepreneur?
MDEC's FAQ says a recognised sponsoring organisation, an MDEC Malaysia Digital Hub or MRANTI, which signs a personal bond. Established entrepreneurs need a Malaysian individual over 21 as sponsor.
What is the MTEP application fee?
MDEC's FAQ states RM540 per applicant at submission, non-refundable, with further processing and Immigration fees after approval. Its post-approval fee table carries a note that fees include 6% SST.
Is the MTEP open to all nationalities?
MDEC's FAQ states it is open to citizens of all nationalities except Israel.
Can a spouse of an MTEP established entrepreneur work?
MDEC's FAQ says a spouse under RP-MTE may work in Malaysia. That differs from the Employment Pass position, so do not assume it for an EP spouse.
How long does an MTEP application take?
MDEC's FAQ states 4 weeks for a complete application and 2 weeks for pass issuance, subject to Immigration's discretion.
Which pass do we use for a new hire in an MD company?
The Employment Pass, applied for by the company through MDEC. MD companies pay MDEC's RM2,160 charge per applicant.
Where can I read the DE Rantau rules?
MDEC's DE Rantau Pass FAQ and its Mandatory Documents for Remote Workers list, both linked in the sources below.
Sources
Official sources
- MDEC, Expats Service Centre: services and eligibility
- MDEC, Pre-application process for MD companies
- MDEC, Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) FAQ v3.0
- MDEC, DE Rantau Pass FAQ v10.0
- MDEC, Mandatory documents for remote workers
- Immigration Department (ESD), Revised Expatriate Salary Policy FAQ (updated 12 February 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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