A Guide to Visa types for Expats in Malaysia

Dreaming of palm trees, nasi lemak, and city skylines? But stuck figuring out which visa suits your needs to work and live in Malaysia? This guide is your compass through Malaysia’s visa maze.

What Visa Types are Available for Expats in Malaysia?

Malaysian Employment Pass (EP)

To qualify for the EP, the foreign workers must meet the following criteria -

1. Degree holders require at least 3 years of working experience in that relevant field.
2. Diploma holders require at least 5 years of related experience
3. Technical certificate holders must show at least 7 years of hands-on experience.
4. The position must require specific knowledge or skills that locals cannot easily fill.
5. The foreign employee also needs to be aware of their salary and contract period, as these determine which category of EP they will fall under.
   

Not all companies are eligible to apply for an EP. The business must meet these key requirements:

1. Paid-up capital:

• RM250,000 (100% local ownership)
• RM350,000 (joint venture, with minimum 30% foreign shareholding)
• RM500,000 (100% foreign ownership)
• RM1 million (foreign equity 51% and above in the Wholesale, Retail, and Trade sector)

2. The business must be registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)

3. Depending on the industry, the business may also license from agencies like MIDA, MDEC, or BNM.

4. The business must register with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) before applying for the Employment Pass.

To begin the process, download the latest guide and register here!

Digital Nomad Visa ‍

De Rantau Nomad Pass is Malaysia's digital nomad visa introduced by Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) under the Malaysia Digital Initiative. It welcomes remote workers, digital freelancers, and online entrepreneurs to live and work in Malaysia.

For a detailed breakdown, check out our full Digital Nomad Visa article here.

Malaysian Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T)

To qualify for the Residence Pass–Talent (RP-T), applicants must meet the following MINIMUM requirements:

1. Work Experience — Must have worked in Malaysia for at least three (3) consecutive years.
2. Employment Pass — Must hold a valid Employment Pass with more than three months’ validity at the time of application or resubmission.
3. Income Tax Compliance — Need to have a Malaysian income tax file number and must have paid income tax for at least the past two years.  Basic annual salary should be at least RM180,000.
4. Educational Qualifications — Should hold a PhD, Master’s, bachelor’s degree, or Diploma in any field from a recognised university, or a professional/competency certificate from a recognised institute.

These are the MINIMUM criteria required for the RP-T. However, the application's approval status is subject to the discretion of the RP-T Panel.

Important: Applications must be submitted directly by the applicant. TalentCorp does not accept applications through agents.

If you meet all the requirements, download this checklist, complete the forms, and register to apply here!

Source: TalentCorp

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)

Open to foreigners aged 21 and above who meet specific financial requirements. This program allows applicants and their dependents to obtain a renewable visa for up to 20 years. For a detailed breakdown, check out our full MM2H article here.

Labuan Directors Visa

The Labuan directors' visa is an excellent solution for entrepreneurs looking to relocate and set up a business in Malaysia. It allows applicants to live in Malaysia indefinitely, anywhere within the country. The visa is renewable every 2 years.

1. Minimum Salary: Applicants must draw a monthly salary of at least MYR 10,000 (around USD 2,200), which will be subject to tax based on their residency status.
2. Business Plan: A detailed business plan is required, outlining company goals, target markets, products or services, and a three-year financial projection.
3. Personal Profile: Applicants must submit a comprehensive résumé highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
4. Compliance Obligations: The company must remain in good standing under Labuan and Malaysian law, including timely payment of annual fees and applicable taxes.

Labuan's tax framework allows a 3% tax rate for a trading company if it meets all the substance requirements, which are as follows:

• Hiring Employees: Depending on the business sector*, companies must employ at least two full-time staff members.
• Annual Expenditure: A minimum yearly operating spend of MYR 50,000 (approximately USD 11,000) is generally required, though the exact amount may differ by industry*.

Each approved industry has its own set of substance criteria. The above represent the most common benchmarks.

Malaysian Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LVTSP)

The LVTSP's eligibility depends on that individual's relationship with a Malaysian citizen or legal resident.

1. Spouse of a Malaysian Citizen
   - They must be legally married to a Malaysian citizen
   - Malaysian Law must recognise the marriage
   - Spouses may apply for a work visa with LTSVP
2. Parents or In-Laws of Malaysian Citizens
   - Granted to parents or in-laws for caregiving or medical treatment purposes in Malaysia
3. Children of Malaysian Citizens or Residents
   - Applies to biological or legally adopted children  
   - Children must typically be under 18 years old
4. Medical Conditions
   - For treatment at Medical Institutions in Malaysia, including an escort (Limited to treatment at government hospitals / specialist hospitals only.)
   
   Find all required forms and further details here. After completing them, the applications must be submitted to the Immigration Department Headquarters in Putrajaya or the nearest state immigration office.
   

Spouse Visa (via LVTSP)

The Spouse Visa via the Long-Term Social Visit Pass, is a dependent pass, allowing foreign husbands/wives married to Malaysians to obtain the social visit pass for up to 5 years, depending on whether they meet all the requirements.

Find all required forms and further details here. After completing them, the applications must be submitted to the Immigration Department Headquarters in Putrajaya or the nearest state immigration office.

Malaysian Investor Pass

Business visitors or foreign investors who fall under any of the following three categories:

1. New investors: Potential investors with no investment records in Malaysia.
2. Investor in Pipeline: An investor who has been identified as someone keen on making investments in Malaysia, is in negotiations with the Malaysian Government, or has applied for MIDA for project approvals.
3. Existing Investors:  Investors who have investment records in Malaysia and SSM-registered companies but are not employed by the company or any companies in Malaysia.

The Existing Investor category is only available for the Manufacturing and Selected Services sectors under the MIDAs purview. Sectors governed by other agencies will be available in Phase 2.

For further details, click here. To apply, register here.

Malaysian Student Pass

If you're looking to study in Malaysia, the Student Pass requires the following main criteria:

1. Offer of Study: The applicant must possess a Letter of Acceptance/Offer from an approved educational institution (university or college) in Malaysia. This is the primary condition for starting the application process.
2. Passport Validity: The applicant's passport must be valid for at least 18 months or above from the expected entry date.
3. Academic Qualification: Copies of all academic certificates and transcripts from previously undertaken studies must be provided. The applicant must meet all specific entry requirements for the chosen course.
4. English Language Proficiency: The student must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language competency. This is proven by submitting a certificate from a recognised English language test (e.g., MUET, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic).
5. Health Requirements:
   - The Health Declaration Form must be completed and submitted.
   - Applicants from countries with a high risk of yellow fever must obtain the necessary inoculations and present a Yellow Fever Vaccination Booklet/Card upon arrival.
   
   
6. Financial Guarantee (Personal Bond):
   The educational institution must sign a Personal Bond on the applicant's behalf with the Immigration Department. The applicant is typically required to lodge a specified, refundable amount of money with the institution for this purpose.

Find all required forms and further details here

It's important to note that visa requirements and procedures may change over time, so it's advisable to consult with the Malaysian Immigration Department or a reputable immigration consultant for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, each visa type may have specific eligibility criteria and documentation requirements, so thorough research and preparation are essential before applying.

Still not sure which visa suits you best? 📩 Email us at info@expatsclubkl.com

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