Malaysia•AsiaEmployment Pass Category II
At a Glance
Processing Time
28-56 days
Application Fee
Free
Stay Duration
Up to 5 years
Renewable
Yes
Job Offer
Not Required
Dependents
Allowed
PR Pathway
No
This visa does not offer a direct route to permanent residency.Remote Work
Not Required
Overview
Work visa for managerial and professional positions with monthly salary between RM5,000-RM9,999. Renewable and permits bringing spouse and children as dependents.
The Employment Pass Category II (EP II) is a work permit issued by the Malaysian government to foreign professionals recruited for managerial, executive, or technical positions. It was established as part of Malaysia's strategy to facilitate the entry of skilled expatriates who contribute to the nation's economic development, particularly within the National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs). The pass is managed primarily through the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This visa is ideal for mid-level professionals and technical specialists who have secured employment in Malaysia with a monthly salary ranging from MYR 5,000 to MYR 9,999. It serves as a middle-tier option between the high-level Category I and the entry-level Category III. A key distinguishing feature of the EP II is the requirement for the sponsoring employer to justify the need for a foreign hire over a local candidate, often involving mandatory job advertising on national portals.
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Requirements
Financial
Minimum Income
60,000 MYR
per year
Personal
Education
Bachelor or higher
Professional
Experience
3+ years
Excluded Nationalities
Citizens of the following countries are not eligible: IL
Documentation
Applicant Documents
Valid passport
6+ months validity
Passport photographs
Recent color photos
Educational credentials
Degree certificates
Work experience documents
CV, reference letters
Sponsor Documents
Employment contract
Signed offer letter with salary RM5,000-9,999
Company documents
Registration, license, financial records
Job description
Position details and responsibilities
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Advantages
- No annual lottery system or random selection process
- Lower salary threshold than Category I makes it accessible for mid-level roles
- Expedited processing through the ESD online portal for registered companies
- High degree of predictability for applicants with valid job offers from ESD-approved firms
- No national cap on the total number of visas issued annually
- Streamlined application path for companies operating in strategic economic sectors
Considerations
- Strict employer-tied status prevents switching jobs without a new application
- Mandatory local recruitment advertising increases the administrative burden on the employer
- Subject to rigorous 'projection' approvals where the company must justify its total expatriate headcount
- Potential cooling-off periods if transitioning from specific visa categories or after early termination
Application Process
Employer registers with ESD
Company registers on Expatriate Services Division portal
Employer applies for EP
Submit employment pass application via ESD
Obtain entry visa
Applicant applies for entry visa at Malaysian embassy
Enter Malaysia
Applicant enters with entry visa
Register with immigration
Report to immigration office upon arrival
Receive EP approval
Employment Pass approval and card issuance
Application Forms
Employment Pass Application
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