Malaysia introduces new visa fees for foreign workers, dependents

Malaysia has introduced new fees for various visa categories for expatriates or foreign workers and their dependents holding the Employment Passes (EP).

This move by the Malaysian Immigration Department is designed to streamline visa processing and expedite applications in critical sectors.

The Employment Pass (EP) fee has
been raised from MYR 800 to MYR 2,000. For the Dependant Pass (DP), the fee has increased from MYR 450 to MYR 500. The Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP) now costs MYR 500, up from MYR 450. Meanwhile, the Professional Visit Pass (PVP) fee has been raised from MYR 800 to MYR 1,200.

The Malaysian Immigration Department has stated that these increased fees will contribute to faster processing times for critical sectors within the country.

Key changes to EP rules

Effective immediately, employers must follow new requirements when changing Employment Pass categories.

This means that the employees must cancel the existing EP when applying for a category change (Category 1, 2, or 3).

In addition, from the January 1, 2025, employers were mandated to submit a “change of category letter” during the application approval stage.

Requirements for the Employment Pass

Before applying for an Employment Pass, foreign workers and their employers must meet specific criteria.

This includes that the hiring company must be eligible to employ expatriates, the Expatriate Committee (EC) or relevant authorities must approve the foreign talent’s role and employers must provide all necessary documents, including the change of category letter if applicable.

Also, EP holders can apply for a Dependant Pass for their spouses and children under 18.

Alternative options for foreign workers in Malaysia

Foreign nationals seeking to work in Malaysia have other options besides the Employment Pass:

Professional Visit Pass (PVP): Ideal for short-term assignments or temporary work. Valid for up to 12 months.

Temporary Employment Pass (TEP): Suitable for unskilled or semi-skilled positions, typically issued for jobs in manufacturing, agriculture, or services.

Resident Pass-Talent (RP-T): Designed for highly skilled professionals, offering a 10-year renewable visa and flexibility to work with any employer.