Expatriate Application

What is Expatriate?

The Expatriate Services Division (ESD), which is part of Malaysia’s Immigration Department, is a one-stop center that provides a customer-centric approach to company registration.

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) and the Malaysian Immigration Department, the reclassification of the Employment Pass (Category I, II, and III) will commence as follows:

Types of Passes for Expatriates in Malaysia

Malaysia offers several types of immigration passes for expatriates, each designed to suit different circumstances such as employment, family accompaniment, and long-term stays. Below is an overview of the most common passes for foreigners living and working in Malaysia:

1. Employment Pass (EP)

The Employment Pass (EP) allows qualified expatriates to work legally in Malaysia under a contract of service with a registered organization.

  • Validity: Up to 60 months (5 years), based on the employment contract

  • Issuing Authority: Immigration Department of Malaysia (IDM), after approval by the Expatriate Committee (EC)

  • Coverage: Applicable only in Peninsular Malaysia, as per relevant regulatory bodies

  • Pre-Arrival Requirement: Expatriates must obtain an Approval Letter before entering Malaysia for the first time

  • Post-Arrival Rule: Once in Malaysia, the expatriate has 30 days from the entry date to endorse the EP sticker

Keywords: employment pass Malaysia, work visa Malaysia, expatriate work permit Malaysia

2. Dependent Pass (DP)

The Dependent Pass (DP) is issued to immediate family members of the Employment Pass holder, including:

  • Legal spouse

  • Biological, stepchildren, or legally adopted children

Key Features:

  • Dependent children can study in Malaysia with a proper endorsement

  • If the spouse or dependent wishes to work, they must apply for their own relevant work authorization

  • The validity of the Dependent Pass is tied to the principal EP holder’s pass or the dependent’s passport, whichever is shorter

Keywords: dependent visa Malaysia, bring family to Malaysia, expatriate spouse visa Malaysia

3. Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP)

The Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP) is available for other close family members of expatriates, including:

  • Parents or parents-in-law of the EP holder

  • Unmarried children, stepchildren, or adopted children over 18 years old who are still dependent on the expatriate

Important Notes:

  • The validity of the LTSVP depends on the EP holder’s pass duration or the applicant’s passport validity

  • LTSVP holders are not permitted to work, run a business, or engage in any professional occupation in Malaysia

Keywords: LTSVP Malaysia, long term visit pass Malaysia, family visa Malaysia

All applications can be done online at https://esd.imi.gov.my/