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The Malaysian government announced it will introduce a special pass for investors and expatriate groups.
Key Points:
Additional Information: Applications can be made via the Xpats Gateway, and further information is available on this website. The new pass is designed to enhance the efficiency of the entry process and facilitate longer stays for eligible nationals who the government believes will support business and investment activities.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Malaysian government announced the Electronic Pass (ePASS) system will be extended to other pass types within the MYXpats Centre of the Expatriate Services Division.
Additional Information: Officials stated that the current endorsement process will remain unchanged for passes issued under Public Universities and Government Agencies. In addition, there are no changes to i-KAD issuance for applicable passes until further notice.
The Malaysian government intends to improve services and streamline expatriate application processes. As BAL reported, officials also recently announced efforts to improve modules and add new functions to the Integrated Foreign Workers Management System (ePPAx), as well as provided updated sample documents for PVP applications. The government is enhancing the efficiency of pass issuance for pass endorsement as part of a larger initiative to ease travel processes and digitize immigration procedures.
The Malaysian government announced updated sample documents have been added in Expatriate Services Division (ESD) Online for Professional Visit Pass (PVP) applications.
Additional Information: The government intends to improve services and streamline expatriate application processes. These documents, along with an ESD Online Guidebook, are now available on ESD Online for reference. As BAL reported, the Malaysian government also recently announced efforts to improve modules and add new functions to the Integrated Foreign Workers Management System (ePPAx).
The Malaysian government announced that the Department of Labor Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) is improving modules and adding new functions to the Integrated Foreign Workers Management System (ePPAx).
Additional Information: The Expatriate Services Division details that all applications for prior approval must be submitted through the ePPAx system at ePPAx Login.
Approval is granted to the employer only, and the approval documents are directly generated via the system on the application status check screen. The upgraded modules and functions went live on Dec. 2, 2024, and the government designed the ePPAx system enhancements to improve the process for employers to obtain initial approvals for hiring foreign workers.
The Malaysian government announced employers registered on the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) online portal may now submit their Employment Pass (EP) and Professional Visit Pass (PVP) quota projections for 2025.
Additional Information: Companies are reminded to include their latest e-SSM before submitting projection requests and should ensure all the information required is included in the submission. Authorities also emphasized the proper position group should also be selected, either top management, middle management, technical expert or entry level.
BAL Analysis: Companies should plan to submit their projections as soon as possible to avoid delays.
Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Malaysian government has introduced interim endorsement slips as a temporary substitute for long-term pass stickers.
Additional Information: The Malaysian government is also introducing a separate initiative to better manage applications within Expatriate Services Division Online. Beginning Oct. 1, the MYXpats Centre will automatically cancel any inactive applications that are not resubmitted within 90 days. Companies will receive notification emails at several stages before the cancellation occurs, but authorities will not process any refunds on the processing fees for canceled applications.
BAL Analysis: The Malaysian government intends for these initiatives to streamline immigration processes.
The Malaysian government announced updated document requirements for Professional Visit Pass (PVP) applications.
Additional Information: Officials stated that a bank guarantee, offer letter, acceptance letter, job description, working schedule, academic certificate and updated resume are no longer required. Applicants may utilize the ESD online system to access sample documents and a guidebook for reference when completing PVP applications.
BAL Analysis: The government is expanding their online systems, allowing companies to submit more applications electronically for convenience and to improve processing times for applicants.
The Malaysian government announced the implementation of new online applications within the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) online system for certain services.
Additional Information: Officials also recently announced a revised fee structure that will take effect Sept. 1 for applications such as an employment pass, professional visit pass and dependent passes. Recently, the government has also implemented new measures to standardize existing procedures and consolidate online filing platforms. As BAL previously reported, Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation-registered companies are now required to use the Xpats Gateway online portal to file initial and renewal employment pass applications online.
BAL Analysis: The Malaysian government is expanding its online systems and is expected to require additional immigration-related applications to be filed online going forward. The expansion is designed to allow companies to submit more applications electronically for convenience and to improve processing times for applicants.
The Malaysian government announced all initial professional visit pass applications will now require pre-approval from the Department of Labor Peninsular Malaysia online portal.
Additional Information: Officials stated that a pre-approval should take one to two business weeks to process. The approval document can be downloaded online within the portal once granted. ESD-registered employers are required to submit the pre-approval with each new application.
BAL Analysis: The government has expanded this process to the initial professional visit pass application to standardize their existing procedures for other employment authorization applications in the hopes of creating faster processing times for applicants and registered companies.
The Malaysian government has stated that Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation registered employers should now file employment pass applications through the Xpats Gateway system.
Background: The government implemented the new Employment (Amendment) Act 2022 in order to protect local labor in Malaysia. MDEC is a government agency under the Ministry of Digital and was established in 1996 to lead Malaysia’s digital economy. The government launched a digital initiative to encourage and attract global talent and grow Malaysian businesses and the economy.
BAL Analysis: The Malaysian government intends for this updated procedure to be similar to the existing procedure for expatriate services division registered companies and to improve processing times for applicants.