At a glance
An eligible employer can sponsor you for a specific job in Peninsular Malaysia. Applications from June 1, 2026 use revised basic-salary categories and employer requirements; Sabah and Sarawak have separate procedures.
- Job offer required?
- Yes, from an employer able to sponsor the role
- Basic monthly pay
- Category I: MYR 20,000+; II: MYR 10,000–19,999; III: MYR 5,000–9,999, with a MYR 7,000 floor for covered manufacturing employers
- Employer plan
- Categories II and III require the applicable local-succession plan
Summary
A job offer from an eligible employer can let you apply for an Employment Pass to work in Peninsular Malaysia. The pass is tied to the approved employer and role. Sabah and Sarawak use separate procedures.
New and renewal applications submitted from June 1, 2026 follow revised salary and employer requirements. Meeting the salary level alone does not guarantee approval.
Eligibility
You need an eligible employer, an approved type of job, suitable qualifications or experience, and the required approvals.
The revised categories use basic monthly salary, excluding allowances:
| Category | Basic monthly salary |
|---|---|
| I | MYR 20,000 or more |
| II | MYR 10,000–19,999 |
| III | MYR 5,000–9,999; at least MYR 7,000 for covered manufacturing and manufacturing-related services employers |
Your employer must confirm the applicable sector rules. Categories II and III also require a local-succession plan: a plan to prepare local staff to take over the role.
An existing valid pass does not automatically change category when the policy changes.
-
Confirm the job and salary category Check basic pay, sector requirements, and the Peninsular Malaysia procedure.
-
Prepare employer and worker evidence Include any required plan to train local staff to take over the role.
-
Complete approval before starting The employer submits the application; check the approved role and actual pass term.
The June 2026 categories apply to new and renewal applications. Salary alone does not establish eligibility.
What This Route Allows
Approval lets you do the specified job and stay for the period granted.
The revised framework sets employment-duration limits of up to ten years for Categories I and II, and five years for III. These are not guaranteed terms for a single pass. The official FAQ says employers can apply for up to 60 months at a time, subject to approval and any professional licensing limits.
What This Route Is Not
A job offer or sufficient salary is not enough on its own. A bachelor’s degree or current employment elsewhere is also not a universal standalone test: the requirements depend on the actual role and credentials.
Family members need their own approved passes, and a Dependant Pass does not automatically let them work. Permanent residence requires a separate decision; it is not promised after five years.
Next Steps
- Ask the employer to confirm the Peninsular Malaysia process, job category, sector rules, and basic-salary threshold.
- Prepare the contract, qualifications, employer approvals, and any required local-succession plan.
- Have the employer submit the application and complete the pass process before you start the approved work. Check the actual expiry and renewal conditions.
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