What type of worker, employment situation, occupation or professional activity is this pathway actually designed for?
Employment Pass is employer-sponsored permission for a foreign professional to work for the named Malaysian organisation. The position requires approval by the Expatriate Committee or competent agency before Immigration issues the pass. Category I requires basic monthly salary of at least RM20,000. These revised thresholds apply to new and renewal applications submitted from 1 June 2026, not automatically to an existing unexpired pass.
See recorded sources
- Employment Pass (EP)
The Employment
Employment Pass (EP) The Employment Pass (EP) is a work permit that enables an expatriate to take up employment with an organisation in Malaysia. The pass is subject to the contract of employment (up to 60 months). The Expatriate Committee (EC) or relevant authorities must give approval for the foreign talent to fill a position before the issuance of an expatriate Employment Pass can be made by the Immigration Department of Malaysia. Before you apply Check to see if the company is eligible to apply for an Expatriate Employment Pass Where to apply Go to the ESD website, log in through the company’s ESD account, and submit the expatriate application Duration of pass Up to 60 months, depending on the employment contract and upon discretion of the EC. The pass is only valid in Peninsular Malaysia Work rights Expatriates may only work for the company named in the Employment Pass. If they change company, they need to resubmit their application Other Passes Only Employment Pass holder with salary above RM5, 000 is eligible to apply 1. Employment Pass holders may apply for a Dependant Pass for the following family members: - Spouse - Children (under 18 years of age) - A legally adopted child (under 18 years of age) - Parents / Parents-in-law 2. Employment Pass holders may apply for a Long-Term Social Visit Pass for the following family members: - Children (over 18 years of age) - A legally adopted child (over 18 years of age) - Parents/Parents-in-law 3. Employment Pass holders may apply for a Social Visit (Temporary Employment) for a foreign maid *Click here to find out how to apply for Dependant Pass, Long-term Social Visit Pass or Social Visit (Temporary Employment) – Foreign Maid
- Revised Employment Pass Salary Thresholds
Revised Employment Pass Salary Thresholds EP Category Current Minimum Salary Revised Minimum Salary (Effective 1 June 2026) Employment Pass Duration Category I RM10,000 and above RM20,000 and above Up to 10 years Category II RM5,000 - RM9,999 RM10,000 - RM19,999 Up to 10 years (with succession plan) Category III RM3,000 - RM4,999 RM5,000 - RM9,999 Up to 5 years (with succession plan) All new and renewal Employment Pass applications submitted on or after 1 June 2026 shall comply with the revised requirements. Companies are strongly encouraged to plan in advance and align their workforce strategies accordingly.
- Announcement:
Announcement: Implementation of New Expatriate Employment Policy - MIDA | Malaysian Investment Development Authority Home Why Malaysia A Land of Opportunities Sustainability Agenda Investment Statistics MIDA Insights Economic Corridors ECRL Programme Industries Manufacturing Building Technology Life Sciences & Medical Technology Chemicals & Advanced Materials Machinery & Metal Electrical & Electronics Paper, Printing and Publishing Food Technology Transportation Technology Lifestyle Wood-Based and Furniture Services Business Services Logistics Services Education Services Oil & Gas Green Technology Healthcare Services Regional Establishment Hospitality (Hotels & Tourism) Research & Development (R&D) Other Services Investor Highlights Setting Up in Malaysia Business Facilitation Setting Up Business Resources Media & Events Events Annual Media Conference (AMC) Announcement/ Media Release e-Newsletter Featured Articles Investment News Media Gallery Publications Reports Advertise with Us About MIDA Our Principles Board Members Client Charter e-Integrity MIDA Team Career Links to Agency Partners Procurement Scam Alert Forms & Guidelines e-Services FAQ Contact Us MIDA HQ Our Global Offices Our State Offices Staff Directory Government Representatives Information Centre Enquiry and Client Feedback Survey Centre e-Participation English | | This site is mobile responsive Forms and Guidelinese-ServicesFAQContact Us Forms and Guidelinese-ServicesFAQContact Us Home Why Malaysia A Land of OpportunitiesReasons to invest Economic CorridorsDiverse investment opportunities Sustainability AgendaCommitment towards sustainability MIDA InsightsLatest news, updates and insights Investment StatisticsMake informed decisions ECRL ProgrammeDiscover business opportunities Industries ManufacturingSnapshot of Diverse Industries Building Technology Life Sciences & Medical Technology Chemicals & Advanced Materials Machinery & Metal Electrical & Electronics Paper, Printing and Publishing Food Technology Transportation Technology Lifestyle Wood-Based and Furniture ServicesCloser Look at Key Sub-sectors Business Services Logistics Services Education Services Oil & Gas Green Technology Healthcare Services Regional Establishment Hospitality (Hotels & Tourism) Research & Development (R&D) Other Services Investor HighlightsThey came from all over, but made Malaysia their home. Find out more about their investment journey here. Setting Up in Malaysia Setting Up BusinessHelpful guidelines to get started in Malaysia Business FacilitationMIDA offers dedicated support and facilities. Count on us! ResourcesGain an advantage through our valuable resources including useful links, guides, reports, statistics and publications on choosing Malaysia for your business ventures Media & Events Events Annual Media Conference (AMC) Announcement/ Media Release e-Newsletter Featured Articles Investment News Media Gallery Publications Reports Advertise with Us About MIDA Our Principles Board Members MIDA Team e-Integrity Client Charter Career Links to Agency Partners Procurement Scam Alert Forms & Guidelines e-Services FAQ Contact Us Our Global Offices Our State Offices Staff Directory Government Representatives Information Centre Enquiry and Client Feedback Survey Centre e-Participation Home Why Malaysia A Land of OpportunitiesReasons to invest Economic CorridorsDiverse investment opportunities Sustainability AgendaCommitment towards sustainability MIDA InsightsLatest news, updates and insights Investment StatisticsMake informed decisions ECRL ProgrammeDiscover business opportunities Industries ManufacturingSnapshot of Diverse Industries Building Technology Life Sciences & Medical Technology Chemicals & Advanced Materials Machinery & Metal Electrical & Electronics Paper, Printing and Publishing Food Technology Transportation Technology Lifestyle Wood-Based and Furniture ServicesCloser Look at Key Sub-sectors Business Services Logistics Services Education Services Oil & Gas Green Technology Healthcare Services Regional Establishment Hospitality (Hotels & Tourism) Research & Development (R&D) Other Services Investor HighlightsThey came from all over, but made Malaysia their home. Find out more about their investment journey here. Setting Up in Malaysia Setting Up BusinessHelpful guidelines to get started in Malaysia Business FacilitationMIDA offers dedicated support and facilities. Count on us! ResourcesGain an advantage through our valuable resources including useful links, guides, reports, statistics and publications on choosing Malaysia for your business ventures Media & Events Events Annual Media Conference (AMC) Announcement/ Media Release e-Newsletter Featured Articles Investment News Media Gallery Publications Reports Advertise with Us About MIDA Our Principles Board Members MIDA Team e-Integrity Client Charter Career Links to Agency Partners Procurement Scam Alert Forms & Guidelines e-Services FAQ Contact Us Our Global Offices Our State Offices Staff Directory Government Representatives Information Centre Enquiry and Client Feedback Survey Centre e-Participation Announcement: Implementation of New Expatriate Employment Policy >Media & Events > Media Release/Announcement>Announcement: Implementation of New Expatriate Employment Policy Announcement: Implementation of New Expatriate Employment Policy Following the announcement made by MOHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) on 14 January 2026, a new Expatriate Employment Policy as Cabinet’s approval on 17 October 2025 was introduced to restructure the salary rates and employment tenure for Employment Pass holders, which will be officially enforced on 1 June 2026. As conveyed by MIDA’s Chief Executive Officer, the new policy is intended to encourage companies in Malaysia to prioritise the hiring of local talent for both temporary and permanent positions, while not adversely affecting foreign investment in the country. Expatriates falling under Employment Pass Categories I, II, and III will be subject to the following new eligibility criteria and tenure limits across all sectors: EP Category Revised Policy Category I Minimum salary increased to RM20,000, with a tenure limit of 10 years. Category II Minimum salary increased to RM10,000 – RM19,999, with a tenure limit of 10 years (requires replacement plan). Category III Minimum salary increased to RM5,000 – RM9,999 (or RM7,000 – RM9,999 for specific manufacturing sectors), with a tenure limit of 5 years (requires replacement plan). Dependents: Expatriates in all three categories are permitted to bring dependents. *Please note that all new and renewal applications submitted on or after 1 June 2026 must comply with these new regulations. For more information on the implementation mechanism and transition process, MOHA will organize engagement sessions with industry stakeholders and employers to ensure business continuity. We will provide updates on upcoming engagement schedules organized by the Ministry to explain policy implications and implementation details. For any clarification, please do not hesitate to contact MIDA at the Foreign Investment Division and Industry Talent Management & Expatriate Division, MIDA, or via email at [email protected]. New: Succession Plan Requirement Press Release FAQ Infographic Article PrevNext Why Malaysia Industries Setting Up in Malaysia Media & Events About MIDA Forms and Guidelines e-Services FAQ Contact Us Sitemap English Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Security Policy | Disclaimer | myGov Copyright © Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) 2026 This site is best viewed using Google Chrome at a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, and is also mobile responsive. MyMesyuarat Send X
- Malay FAQ 8
8 Adakah pemegang pas sedia ada perlu Tidak. Pemegang pas yang tempoh sah mengemukakan semula permohonan selaras lakunya belum tamat tidak perlu dengan pelaksanaan Dasar Baharu Penggajian mengemukakan semula permohonan. Ekspatriat pada 1 Jun 2026? Walau bagaimanapun, permohonan Contoh: Pemegang EPI semasa akan bertukar lanjutan boleh dikemukakan seawal tiga (3) kategori pas kepada EPII setelah pelaksanaan bulan sebelum tamat tempoh pas, dan Dasar Baharu Penggajian Ekspatriat. permohonan tersebut akan tertakluk kepada Dasar Baharu Penggajian Ekspatriat sekiranya melepasi tarikh 1 Jun 2026.
