Employment in Malaysia for Ukrainians

Malaysia Employment Pass

Malaysia Employment Pass is issued to foreign nationals who will work in a Malaysian company in a highly skilled position, such as a technical or managerial position.

Before you can obtain an Employment Pass, your employer in Malaysia must obtain the approval of the Expatriation Board or the relevant regulatory authority to hire you.

This type of work permit in Malaysia can be issued for 1-5 years, depending on the specific case or duration of work, and is renewable.

There are three types of Employment Pass for Malaysia, depending on your position and salary.

Employment Pass Category 1, which includes key positions in the company, such as executives, general managers, technical or managing directors, project managers, etc.

• You must have a monthly salary of at least RM10,000.
• You must have an employment contract for up to five years.
• Employment Pass can be renewed.
• You are allowed to hire a foreign domestic assistant.

Employment Pass Category 2, which includes managerial and professional positions in the company, such as marketing or investment manager, teachers, directors, architects, etc.

• You should have a salary between 5000 and 9999 ringgit.
• You must have an employment contract for up to two years.
• Employment Pass can be renewed.
• You are allowed to hire a foreign domestic assistant.

Employment Pass Category 3, which includes non-managerial positions in a company that require significant work experience and specific technical or practical skills. For example, designers (fashion, manufacturing, furniture), craftsmen, food technologists, etc.

• You should receive a monthly salary of between RM3,000 and RM4,999.
• You must have an employment contract for up to two years.
• Employment Pass cannot be renewed more than twice.
• You are not allowed to hire a foreign domestic assistant.

To obtain a work permit in Malaysia, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have the proper academic qualifications required for the job.
• You must have at least three years of relevant work experience. If your academic qualifications are less, you may need more years of relevant work experience.
• You must be working in a managerial, supervisory, or technical position that requires special skills.
• You must meet the required salary requirements.
• You should not take a job in a sector that is considered restricted.

As a foreign worker, you do not need to apply for your own Employment Pass. It is your employer who applies on your behalf in Malaysia before you travel.

The process of obtaining Malaysian employment is divided into two parts:

• Your employer must request approval to hire you through the Expatriation Committee or another authorized agency. This process is known as applying for an expatriate position.
• Once the application for the position is approved, your employer must apply for an Employment Pass Malaysia to the Malaysian Immigration Department.Your employer must apply for an Employment Pass to the Employment Pass Division of the Malaysian Immigration Department. They must apply by mail or in person.

When your employer applies for an Employment Pass, they must provide the following documents:

• Employment application form.
• Your passport size photo in accordance with Malaysia's photo requirements.
• A copy of your passport.
• Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you intend to enter. In any case, the validity of your employment passport cannot exceed the validity of your passport.
• A letter or approval for mailing from the relevant authority.
• Permission from the company to submit the application.
• Your employment contract or offer letter and acceptance letter.
• Your resume and copies of your diplomas and certificates.
• A copy of your employer's company profile from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).

The processing time for Malaysia Employment Pass is three days.

Visa with Reference (VDR) means that you had to get approval from the Malaysian Immigration Department (i.e. Employment Pass) before the Malaysian representative office abroad can issue you a visa.The VDR is simply an entry visa issued to foreign nationals traveling for long-term purposes, such as work or study.

You must apply for a visa to Malaysia with a certificate at the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate.

Upon arrival in Malaysia, you must report to the immigration office in person and present your Employment Pass payment as well as your passport. Immigration officers will affix an Employment Pass sticker to your passport, confirming your stay in the country, and issue an expatriate card.

You must apply for a Malaysian visa with a reference.

Only Employment Pass holders can bring their family with them to Malaysia. If you are an Employment Pass holder, you can bring the following family members through the Malaysia Dependent Pass:

• Your wife
• Your dependent children under the age of 21

In addition, Employment Pass holders can bring such family members to Malaysia with a Long Term Social Visit Pass:

• Dependent children over the age of 21 (adopted or biological)

The following family members can visit the Employment Pass holder with the Social Visit Pass:

• Parents.
• Wife
• Children aged 21 and older
• Stepchildren

If your spouse wants to work, his/her dependent's pass will not automatically allow them to do so. They have to apply for their own work permit.

Professional visit pass

The Malaysia Professional Visit Pass is issued to foreign nationals who want to come to work in Malaysia temporarily (up to 12 months), but who are still employed by a foreign company.

You can work in Malaysia with a Malaysian Occupational Pass if you fall into one of the following categories:

• Foreign artist (filming and performance)
• Stage artist (singing, music, dance, theater, acrobatics, circus, etc.)
• Filming (in Malaysia, but with a foreign company)
• Production (shooting)
• Performances (in hotels, cultural centers, stadiums, etc.)
• Expert in the management of art and screen-related art.
• Islamic teacher
• Teacher of the Quran
• Arabic teacher

• Gurukkal
• Grant
• Priest
• Guru Dharma
• Religious musicians and sculptors
• International students attending religious courses at the Malaysian Biblical Seminary.
• Government officials traveling for official purposes (government to government program/government purposes)
• Expert jockey
• Volunteer
• A foreign student on a mobility program or on-the-job training

You must have a sponsor in Malaysia to apply for a professional visit on your behalf (e.g., the company/institution where you will work/study). Your sponsor must apply before you arrive in Malaysia.

Your sponsor must apply for a professional visit at the Administrative Center of the Federal Government of Malaysia (Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration Department) in Putrajaya.

If you will be working in the filming and performance industry, they must send an application to the Central Agency for Filming and Performances of Foreign Artists (PUSPAL), which will work with the Department of Immigration to grant a permit.

In addition, if you are working in the film industry, you will also need to obtain a letter of approval from FINAS (the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia).

Applying for a visa to Malaysia (Visa With Reference)

You need a Malaysian visa with a link to enter Malaysia and need to apply for it at the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate.

You can only apply for a visa with an Employment Certificate once your Malaysia Professional Visitor Passport has been approved.

Upon arrival in Malaysia

After entering Malaysia, you must visit the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs and get a Malaysia Professional Visit Pass sticker in your passport. This is proof that you are working and living in Malaysia legally.

Documents required to apply for a Malaysian professional visit

The documents required for a professional visit vary depending on the profession, but include the following:

• A full copy of your passport.
• Your passport-size photo.
• Malaysia visa application forms (IMM.12 and IMM.38).
• An offer letter from a Malaysian company/institution (your sponsor), including the reason for your employment/study.
• A copy of your sponsor's company profile (if available).
• If you are a religious missionary: a letter of approval from the Department of Religion and the Department of Islamic Religious Affairs.
• Bank guarantee/personal security deposit if you are a Chinese citizen.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of requirements. You and your sponsor should check with the Malaysian Immigration Department for a complete list of documents that your sponsor must submit with your professional visit application.

Conditions and validity of a professional visit pass for Malaysia

The terms of the Professional Visit Pass include:

• You cannot bring dependent family members with you.
• You must be officially employed and paid by a foreign company.
• To work as an official employer of a Malaysian company, you will need an Employment Pass or Temporary Employment.

For religious workers (non-Muslims):

• You cannot extend your Professional Visit Pass for more than three years.
• You must meet the following age requirements:
• Hindu monks (Gurukkal emigrants), Sami Sikhs (Granthi), Dharma teachers and priests must be at least 40 years old
• Religious musicians must be at least 35 years old
• Religious sculptors must be at least 30 years old

The Malaysian Professional Visit Pass is valid for 12 months and can be extended for another 12 months.

If you are going to be trained at a factory or hotel, the Malaysia Professional Visit Pass is valid for six months.