What Is the Malaysia Work Visa / Permit
Foreign nationals who wish to work in Malaysia legally need a work visa or work pass (“work permit”) issued by Malaysian immigration authorities. Common types include:
- Employment Pass (EP): For skilled or professional roles; validity usually 1-5 years, renewable.
- Temporary Employment Pass: For semi-skilled / less specialized roles in sectors like construction, agriculture, services. Usually shorter duration.
- Professional Visit Pass (PVP): For individuals brought in temporarily (e.g. experts, trainers) under contract, sometimes from overseas employer. Up to ~12 months in many cases.
Key Requirements & Eligibility
Here are commonly required conditions and documents to obtain a work visa in Malaysia:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid job offer / employment contract from a Malaysian company | The employer must commit to hiring you, provide an employment contract. |
| Qualifications / professional experience | Depending on the pass type; EP requires higher skills / credentials. |
| Minimum salary thresholds | For EP categories: e.g. RM 5,000-RM 10,000+ per month depending on skill level. |
| Passport validity & supporting docs | Passport often must be valid for some time (6-18 months); photos; resume; educational certificates; employer profile; sometimes translation. |
| Employer approvals / quota / regulatory body permissions | Employer may need to apply through agencies, Expatriate Committee or specific sector regulators before the pass is granted. |
Application Process & Timeline
Typical steps to get a Malaysia work pass:
- Job offer & employer preparation: Employer obtains necessary internal approvals or quota, prepares contract, ensures role and salary meet requirements.
- Submit application: Employer submits the work pass application with the Immigration Department of Malaysia. May also involve special agencies depending on sector.
- Visa approval & Visa With Reference (if required): For applicants from countries that require visa references, there is a Visa Approval Letter (VAL) or “Visa With Reference” from Malaysian embassy/consulate.
- Entry & issuance of work pass: Once you enter Malaysia (if coming from abroad), the Immigration Department finalizes the work pass and you receive relevant permit or card. Then you legally start working.
- Timeline: Usually several weeks to a few months depending on the type of pass, whether employer documentation or sector approvals are complete. Missing documents or approvals often cause delays.
How Dogpay Helps Throughout the Work Visa Process
Here’s how Dogpay can smooth payment and financial friction during applying for and settling into a work visa in Malaysia:
| Scenario | Payment / Financial Friction | How Dogpay Adds Value |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fees / embassy or consular fees | These fees might need to be paid in foreign currency or via bank transfers abroad, with unfavorable exchange rates or hidden fees. Delays can happen. | Dogpay supports multi-currency payments, transparent exchange rates and fees, faster cross-border transfers; you’ll know exactly what and how much you pay; less risk of delay or overpaying. |
| Document translation / notarization / health check | Often need to get certificates, diplomas, translations, sometimes medical reports; vendors might charge in foreign currency or expect overseas payments; tracking receipts is tedious. | Dogpay helps you consolidate and manage those multiple small payments; preserve digital receipts; avoid excessive conversion fees; ensure you have proof documents for authorities. |
| Relocation costs / initial living expenses | Once visa is granted, you may need to pay deposits (housing, utilities), travel tickets, shipping, accommodation, local costs. If funds are overseas or from multiple sources, may incur banking or conversion costs. | Dogpay makes these large upfront cross-border payments smoother, more transparent; you can plan and schedule; reduce surprise costs; speed up settlement so you can start living without payment hassles. |
| Ongoing salary payments / remittances / family dependency expenses | If salary is paid in foreign currency or you need to send money home; credit card or bank fees can eat into income; sometimes paying for children’s schooling or family expenses abroad adds complexity. | Dogpay offers better FX visibility, possibly lower fees, efficient remittance; keeps transaction logs for accounting or legal compliance; helps manage recurring international commitments. |
