Malaysia Employment Pass Application

How to Apply For Malaysia Employment Pass?

The Malaysia Employment Pass (EP) is the mandatory Malaysia work permit for foreign professionals working with a Malaysian-registered employer. It is employer-specific, ESD-governed, and subject to strict eligibility criteria.

Revised EP salary thresholds take effect 1 June 2026 for all new and renewal applications, the most significant policy change in a decade. 3E Accounting’s immigration specialists will ensure your application is fully compliant from day one.

How Much Company Share Capital is Required to Apply for an Employment Pass in Malaysia? 

Before submitting a Malaysia employment pass application, the sponsoring company must meet the following minimum paid-up capital thresholds:

Company Ownership Structure	Minimum Paid-Up Capital
100% Malaysian-owned	RM 250,000
Joint venture (minimum 30% foreign equity)	RM 350,000
100% Foreign-owned	RM 500,000
Foreign-owned (51%+) in Wholesale, Retail & Trade (WRT)	RM 1,000,000

What Are The Types of Malaysia Employment Pass & Salary Requirements in 2026?

Malaysia issues three categories of Employment Pass. The revised thresholds below apply to all new and renewal applications submitted on or after 1 June 2026.

EP Category	Fixed Monthly Salary	EP Duration	Succession Plan Required
Category I	RM 20,000 and above	Up to 10 years	No
Category II	RM 10,000 – RM 19,999	Up to 10 years	Yes
Category III	RM 5,000 – RM 9,999	Up to 5 years	Yes

Note: For manufacturing-related services under Category III, a minimum of RM 7,000 applies.

 

Which Regulatory Authorities Approve an Employment Pass Application in Malaysia? 

Every Malaysia employment pass application must be supported by the appropriate regulatory documentation, determined by your company’s industry sector:

Company Type	Requirement
Regulated by an Approving Agency	Approval letter from the relevant Agency (all EP categories)
Under a Regulatory Body	Supporting letter from the relevant Body (all EP categories)
Unregulated Sector	Exemption letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs

Not sure which approval applies to your sector? 3E Accounting’s immigration team identifies the correct authority and manages all correspondence on your behalf, eliminating the most common cause of EP application delays.

For more information, please see Approvals Required for Employment Pass Application

 

What Are the Eligibility Criteria for a Malaysia Employment Pass Application? 

For Expatriate(s)/Knowledge/Skilled Worker(s)

• Degree and above, with at least 3 years’ experience in the relevant field
• Diploma, with at least 5 years’ experience in the relevant field
• Technical Certificate or equivalent, with at least 7 years’ experience in the relevant field

For Shareholder(s)

• Shareholder(s) must have a minimum 30% equity in the company; AND
• Must be an SSM-registered Director of the company AND/OR hold a key position in the company

 

What Is the Cooling-Off Period Requirement for Malaysia Employment Pass Holders? 

• EP III holders who have renewed 2 times or 3 years consecutively MUST leave the country and serve 3 months cooling-period to be able to apply for EP III again. Exemption is given for the conversion of EP III to EP I/II
• EP III holders who are changing employers MUST leave the country and serve 3 months cooling-period to be able to apply for EP III with a different employer

 

Which Business Sectors Are Not Allowed to Apply for a Malaysia Employment Pass? 

1. Supermarket / mini market (less than 3,000 square feet of sales floor area)
2. Provision shop / general vendor
3. Convenience store (that opens for business 24 hours)
4. News agent and miscellaneous goods store
5. Medical hall (inclined towards traditional alternative medicines plus general dry foodstuffs)
6. Fuel station with a convenience store
7. Permanent wet market store
8. Permanent pavement store
9. National Strategic Interest
10. Textile, restaurant (non–exclusive), bistro, jewellery shops
11. Others

 

What Are The Required Documents for a Malaysia Employment Pass Application?

Ensure all documents listed below are complete and accurate prior to submission. Incomplete applications extend processing timelines significantly.

Company Documents:

1. Directors’ MyKad or passport copies
2. Company profile
3. Company phone bill (latest)
4. Tenancy agreement or Sale & Purchase Agreement (S&P)
5. e-SSM printout
6. SSM Form 9, Form 24, and Form 49 (certified true copies by SSM)
7. Latest audited financial statements
8. Local Authority Business Premises Licence (PBT), if applicable
9. Other relevant business licences (refer to Annex A)
10. Exemption letter from the RM 5,000 minimum salary requirement (Category III only, from the relevant authority)

Applicant Documents:

• Passport copy (all pages, with sufficient validity)
• Highest educational certificates (translated into English by a certified translator and authenticated)
• Signed and stamped employment contract with job description
• Completed EP application form

 

What Is the Malaysia Employment Pass Application Process and Timeline? 

All applications are submitted online by the sponsoring employer through the ESD portal. The process follows seven structured stages:

1. ESD Registration
2. Expatriate Post Approval
3. Application Submission
4. Application Review
5. Approval & Fee Notification
6. VWR Issuance
7. Pass Collection

Processing Time: 14 working days for complete submissions. Incomplete applications or those requiring additional inspection may extend to 3 months or longer.

How 3E Accounting Assists with Your Malaysia Employment Pass Application?

Securing a Malaysia Employment Pass requires precision at every stage; one oversight can cost months. 3E Accounting delivers a complete, end-to-end Employment Pass service in Malaysia: from eligibility assessment and ESD registration to authority approvals, document management, and Dependent Pass coordination.

We handle the complexity so you can focus on your business. 3E Accounting today for a no-obligation consultation. Our immigration specialists are ready to assess your eligibility, guide your application, and ensure your foreign talent is onboarded without disruption.

 
Related links:
Employment of Expatriates in Malaysia
Summary of Immigration Process
Company’s Paid Up Capital Requirements
Requirement to Apply for Expatriate Employment Pass
Approvals Required For Employment Pass Application
List of Positions Not Applicable for Expatriate Positions

Frequently Asked Questions