Malaysia Work Passes for Employers 2026: Employment Pass, RP-T, PVP and More
Malaysia has several passes that let a foreigner work or stay, and they are easy to mix up. For an employer, the key question is simple: which pass lets your Malaysian company employ the person? This 2026 guide compares the Employment Pass with the Residence Pass-Talent, Professional Visit Pass, DE Rantau Nomad Pass, Dependant Pass and others, and links to our detailed guides for each step.
💡 Key takeaway:
Malaysia work passes compared
| Pass | Who it is for | Can your Malaysian company employ them? |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass (EP) | Foreign professionals employed by a company in Malaysia. Category I from RM20,000 basic, Category II from RM10,000, Category III from RM5,000 (RM7,000 in manufacturing). | Yes. Your company applies and is the employer on the pass. |
| Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) | Experienced professionals who have worked in Malaysia for at least 3 consecutive years and earn at least RM15,000 basic, among other criteria. Valid 10 years, renewable. | Yes. Holders can change employers without converting the pass, so you do not apply for an EP. |
| Dependant Pass | Spouses and children of EP holders. | Not on this pass. A spouse who wants to work needs their own EP. |
| Professional Visit Pass (PVP) | People employed by an overseas company who provide services or training to a Malaysian company for up to 12 months per issuance. | No. The person stays employed by the overseas company. |
| DE Rantau Nomad Pass | Remote workers employed by a company not registered in Malaysia, and digital freelancers. Tech talent needs at least USD24,000 a year. | No, not as an employee. A freelancer may take on Malaysian clients under a contract. |
| Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) | Founders and investors starting or moving a tech business to Malaysia. | No. It is not a route for hiring staff. |
| Visitor's Pass (Temporary Employment) | Foreign workers in set sectors (manufacturing, construction, agriculture, plantation and services), under quotas and approved source countries. | Only for those sectors and quotas. It is a separate scheme from the EP. |
Which pass fits your hire?
- You want to hire a foreign professional full time. Apply for an EP. Check the category first with the EP checker, then read the Employment Pass guide for employers and how to apply step by step.
- The candidate already works in Malaysia on an EP. The pass does not transfer. Your company applies for a new one. See hiring a foreign engineer already in Malaysia.
- The candidate holds an RP-T. They can join you without an EP.
- The salary is below the EP threshold. Other passes do not solve this. See your options when the salary is too low for an EP.
- Your overseas parent company is sending someone for a short project. The PVP may fit, if the person stays on the overseas payroll.
Before you apply, also read how to make the case for a foreign hire, the succession plan required from 2027 and what it costs to hire a foreign engineer.
More on the Employment Pass
- EP checker: enter a basic salary and see the category, steps and fees
- Malaysia Employment Pass 2026: guide for employers
- Which tech roles meet the EP salary thresholds
- How to make the case for a foreign hire
- Options when the salary is too low for an EP
- What it costs to hire a foreign engineer
- Hiring a foreign engineer already in Malaysia
- The succession plan required from 1 January 2027
- How to apply for an Employment Pass, step by step
- Relocating a foreign employee: HR checklist
Hiring a foreign engineer for your team?
Seekers is a licensed tech recruitment agency in Kuala Lumpur. We find Malaysian and foreign engineers, and if your hire needs an Employment Pass, we can support the application. EP support is quoted separately from the recruitment fee.
Talk to us about a hire →Not sure the salary qualifies? Check the Employment Pass category with our free EP checker.
How Seekers can help
Seekers is a licensed tech recruitment agency in Kuala Lumpur. We find Malaysian and foreign engineers for your team, and if your hire needs an Employment Pass, we can support your application. Your Malaysian company is the employer that sponsors the pass. EP support is quoted separately from the recruitment fee. Talk to us about a hire.
Frequently asked questions
What pass does a foreigner need to work in Malaysia?
A foreign professional employed by a Malaysian company normally needs an Employment Pass, applied for by the employer. Holders of a Residence Pass-Talent can work without one.
Can the spouse of an Employment Pass holder work in Malaysia?
The spouse can live in Malaysia on a Dependant Pass, but to work they need their own Employment Pass, according to ESD.
Can I work in Malaysia on a DE Rantau pass?
Only remotely for a company not registered in Malaysia, or as a freelancer. A DE Rantau holder cannot be employed by a Malaysian company.
What is the minimum salary for an Employment Pass in 2026?
RM5,000 basic a month for Category III (RM7,000 in manufacturing), RM10,000 for Category II and RM20,000 for Category I, since 1 June 2026.
Sources
Employment Pass salary rules: ESD, Revised Expatriate Salary Policy FAQ (12 February 2026). Dependant Pass: ESD. Residence Pass-Talent: TalentCorp. Professional Visit Pass: ESD. DE Rantau: MDEC FAQ version 10.0 (28 August 2026). MTEP: MDEC. Visitor's Pass (Temporary Employment): Immigration Department. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Last checked: 27 October 2026.