Employment Pass (EP) And Dependent Pass (DP)
Expatriates and foreign talent require an Employment Pass (EP) to live and work in Malaysia. Family members of EP holders are eligible for a Dependent Pass (DP).
Employment Pass (EP) And Dependent Pass (DP)
An Employment Pass (EP) is a working pass that is tagged to a Malaysian organisation that allows foreign talent to legally live and work in Malaysia. EP holders are eligible to apply a Dependant Pass (DP) for their spouse and children below 18 years of age. DP holders are not allowed to work or earn an income in Malaysia.
The company that intends to hire foreign expatriates must showcase to the government that such foreign expatriates and the position are of vital importance and their jobs cannot be filled by local citizens. A company must check to see if it is eligible to apply for an employment pass. The key requirements are outlined as follows:
Share Capital Requirement
| EQUITY | PAID-UP CAPITAL |
| 100% Locally Owned | RM 250,000 |
| Joint Venture (minimum foreign equity is 30%) | RM 350,000 |
| 100% Foreign Owned | RM 500,000 |
| Foreign-owned companies (foreign equity at 51% and above) operating in the Wholesale, Retail and Trade (WRT) sectors (mandatory requirement to submit valid WRT license, if applicable). Please refer to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs for WRT license application guidelines. OR Foreign-owned companies (foreign equity at 51% and above) involved in the sub sectors on unregulated services are required to refer to the Services Industry Division, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs on the application guideline to obtain approval. | RM1,000,000 |
Immigration and Mobality
Type Of Employment Passes
EP Category 1
Applicants must earn a minimum salary of RM10,000 per month and above with a minimum employment contract of 2 years and beyond. This EP is valid up to 5 years and is renewable. Applicants are allowed to bring dependents and hire a foreign domestic helper.
EP Category 2
Applicants must earn a minimum salary of RM5,000 to RM9,999 per month with a minimum employment contract of up to 23 months. This EP is renewable and applicants are allowed to bring dependents and hire a foreign domestic helper.
EP Category 3
Applicants must earn a minimum salary of RM3,000 to RM4,999 per month with a minimum employment contract not exceeding 12 months. This EP is renewable up to 2 times only and applicants are NOT allowed to bring dependents and hire a foreign domestic helper.
Note: Companies intending to apply for EP Category lll must first receive approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs to seek exemption from the minimum salary requirement of RM5,000 before making an application.
Next: Professional Visit Pass (PVP) >
Immigration and Mobality
