Malaysia remains a strategically valuable destination for global companies seeking access to Southeast Asia’s thriving economy. With a well-educated, multilingual workforce and strong business infrastructure, it is no surprise that many firms are looking to establish or expand operations there.

However, bringing foreign talent into Malaysia requires careful navigation of an evolving immigration system – particularly with the full digitisation of work passes in 2025, stricter compliance enforcement, and updated employment categories.

Access Financial’s immigration and work visa services in Malaysia provide organisations with the expertise, legal assurance, and administrative support they need to manage expatriate mobility in a fully compliant and efficient way.

Why Malaysia?

Malaysia offers an ideal environment for regional expansion due to its:

• Competitive operational costs
• High levels of English proficiency
• Established legal and regulatory systems
• Proximity to key ASEAN markets such as Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia

However, the Malaysian government maintains strict controls over the employment of foreign nationals to ensure alignment with national labour policies. These controls have tightened further in 2025, making reliable support essential.

Major Immigration developments in 2025

Malaysia’s immigration framework has undergone key updates this year. Below is a summary of the most relevant changes:

1. ePASS System fully implemented

As of March 2025, all applications for Employment Passes (EP), Professional Visit Passes (PVP), Residence Pass – Talent (RP‑T), and Dependant Passes must be processed through the ePASS system. This move towards paperless digital processing allows for greater efficiency and tracking, but it requires accurate documentation and correct application formatting.

2. Cooling-off period for non-compliance

From July 2025, companies found to be non-compliant during the application process may face a six-month cooling-off period, during which they are barred from submitting further applications. This rule reinforces the importance of legal accuracy and partner reliability.

3. Revised Employment Pass Categories and Thresholds

EP Category	Monthly Salary (RM)	Maximum Validity	Dependants Permitted
Category I	RM 10,000 and above	Up to 5 years	Yes (includes domestic helpers)
Category II	RM 5,000–9,999	Up to 2 years	Yes
Category III	RM 3,000–4,999	1 year (renewable twice)	No

These categories determine eligibility, benefits, and employment length for expatriates. Category III is often used for junior roles but is not renewable beyond two extensions and does not allow for dependants.

4. Change of employment category requires formal letter

If an expatriate is promoted or changes role, a Change of Category request must be submitted, and the previous pass cancelled. This applies to internal role transitions and inter-category moves.

5. Intern hiring ratio introduced

Employers hiring under EP schemes must now maintain a 3:1 ratio of Malaysian interns to foreign EP holders. This measure supports local talent development and applies throughout 2025.

6. RP‑T (Residence Pass – Talent) enhancements

New procedures allow faster refunds, online tracking, and simplified renewals for the RP‑T scheme, Malaysia’s long-term, flexible residency option for senior professionals.

Types of work passes in Malaysia

1. Employment Pass (EP)

The most common work visa, used for foreign professionals in managerial, technical, or skilled positions. Requires minimum salary levels and approval from the Expatriate Services Division (ESD).

2. Professional Visit Pass (PVP)

Used for short-term foreign specialists or secondees working in Malaysia temporarily. Valid for up to 12 months and generally does not transfer employment locally.

3. Residence Pass – Talent (RP‑T)

Long-term visa for highly skilled expatriates with a strong employment record in Malaysia. It offers up to 10 years’ residency and employment flexibility.

4. Dependant and Long-Term Social Visit Passes

Available for spouses, children, and in some cases, parents of EP or RP‑T holders. Processing times and documentation requirements have been integrated into the ePASS system as of 2025.

How Access Financial supports your journey

We offer end‑to‑end immigration services integrated with our in‑country EoR and payroll solutions:

• Eligibility checks, including salary band and role alignment.
• Employer registration with ESD or MDEC via e‑portal.
• Documentation and application submission in strict compliance with ePASS specs.
• Follow‑up, endorsement, and post‑arrival administration.
• Change of Category requests, Dependant passes, and RP‑T renewals.
• Quota and intern ratio compliance advice, and renewal tracking.

Our dedicated team in Malaysia ensures your application is precise, fast, and risk‑free.

Why choose Access Financial?

Direct in-country expertise: We operate through our own licensed Malaysian entity, no intermediaries.

Full compliance assurance: We follow the latest immigration laws, digital systems, and salary band rules, helping you avoid the new six-month cooling-off risk.

Integrated solutions: Our immigration services are part of a broader employed / EoR support model, simplifying your workforce management.

Efficiency and reliability: With ePASS adoption, timely and accurate submission is more important than ever, and we ensure both.

Who we help

• Recruitment agencies placing contractors in Malaysia
• Start-ups and scale-ups entering Malaysia for the first time
• Multinational companies relocating senior or specialist talent
• Businesses needing quick hiring without establishing a legal entity
• Organisations requiring combined immigration and payroll solutions

Ready to hire or relocate talent in Malaysia?

In a stricter, faster-moving immigration environment, Access Financial is your expert partner. From eligibility to entry, we manage every detail, ensuring your people are onboarded smoothly and in full compliance with Malaysian law.

Get in touch today to discuss your immigration or workforce mobility needs in Malaysia.