Malaysia Work Visa 2026: Employment Pass Salary Rules
Malaysia's work visa for professionals is the Employment Pass, and its rules changed on 1 June 2026. The Revised Expatriate Salary Policy doubled the minimum salary in the top category, raised the other two, lengthened the maximum pass duration and opened dependant passes to the lowest category. A guide written before June 2026 may show the earlier salary figures. This page sets out the current rules from the Expatriate Services Division of the Immigration Department of Malaysia and its Revised Expatriate Salary Booklet, as read on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
From 1 June 2026 the Employment Pass has three salary bands, based on basic monthly salary: Category I at RM 20,000 and above, Category II at RM 10,000 to RM 19,999 and Category III at RM 5,000 to RM 9,999. Allowances and bonuses do not count. The employing company applies through its account on the Expatriate Services Division portal. The pass is a multiple-entry visa lasting from 1 month to 60 months, and it lets you work only for the company named on it. All three categories can now bring dependants.
What changed on 1 June 2026
The revised policy applies to all new and renewal Employment Pass applications submitted on or after 1 June 2026. A complete application submitted before that date is assessed under the previous policy.
| Category | Requirement | Previous policy | Revised policy, from 1 June 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Minimum basic salary | RM 10,000 and above | RM 20,000 and above |
| I | Duration | Up to 5 years per application | Up to 10 years |
| I | Dependants | Yes | Yes |
| II | Minimum basic salary | RM 5,000 to RM 9,999 | RM 10,000 to RM 19,999 |
| II | Duration | Up to 2 years per application | Up to 10 years, with a succession plan from 1 January 2027 |
| II | Dependants | Yes | Yes |
| III | Minimum basic salary | RM 3,000 to RM 4,999 | RM 5,000 to RM 9,999 |
| III | Duration | Maximum 12 months per application | Up to 5 years, with a succession plan from 1 January 2027 |
| III | Dependants | No | Yes |
How the salary is measured
- It is the basic monthly salary, taxable in Malaysia.
- It excludes allowances, incentives and bonuses.
- It excludes salary paid outside Malaysia.
The policy's FAQ refers to a salary range of RM7,000 to RM9,999 for Category III in the manufacturing and manufacturing-related services sectors, so employers in those sectors should check which range applies to them.
The succession plan
From 1 January 2027, a succession plan is mandatory for Category II and Category III applications. The FAQ defines it as a structured plan by the employer to prepare local employees to replace expatriate roles within the stipulated employment period, including training, mentoring and knowledge transfer from the expatriate.
What the Employment Pass is
| Feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who applies | The employing company, through its account on the ESD portal |
| Salary | The employing company in Malaysia pays a fixed monthly salary to the expatriate |
| Contract | An employment contract must be signed between the employing company in Malaysia and the expatriate |
| Duration | A multiple-entry visa, from 1 month to 60 months, subject to the employment contract and approval by the Expatriate Committee |
| Work rights | You may only work for the company named in the pass. If you change company, the application has to be resubmitted |
| Where it is valid | The ESD's pass page states that the pass is only valid in Peninsular Malaysia |
Although the category table gives maximum durations of 5 and 10 years, the FAQ says companies are allowed to apply for employment periods of up to 60 months at a time.
The application, step by step
| Step | What happens | Published time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Company registration | The company registers once with the Expatriate Services Division | 5 working days, for a newly registered company |
| 2. Pre-requisite | Approval under Section 60K of the Employment Act 1955 from the Department of Labour, and a job advertisement in MYFutureJobs if applicable | 10 working days |
| 3. Supporting letter | From the approving agency or regulatory body, through Xpats Gateway. Only for regulated sectors | 3 working days on the fast track, 10 on the normal track |
| 4. Expatriate application | Submitted by the company in ESD Online once the support letter is received | 2 working days on the fast track, 5 on the normal track |
| 5. Endorsement | ePASS endorsement and i-KAD issuance | Upon arrival at KLIA Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 for a new entry, or 1 working day |
If you already hold a pass
- Existing passes remain valid until their expiry date. No action is required from the company.
- Renewals follow the new policy. A renewal application may be submitted as early as three (3) months before the pass expires, and it is assessed under the revised policy if submitted on or after 1 June 2026.
- Category III renewals must meet the new salary. The FAQ's example is a Category III holder on RM 3,500: the renewal has to comply with the revised requirement.
- Old Category III passes do not gain dependant rights. Holders whose passes were issued before 1 June 2026 stay under the earlier policy, which does not allow dependants.
- The cooling-off period is gone. It no longer applies to Category III under the revised policy.
- Duration is counted per employer. From 1 June 2026 the employment period is tied to the employing company. On a change of company, it starts from the date of employment with the new company.
Bringing family
| Pass | Family members |
|---|---|
| Dependant Pass | Spouse, and children below 18 years old |
| Long-Term Social Visit Pass | Parents, parents-in-law, children aged 18 to 25 years old, and a common law spouse |
The duration of a Dependant Pass follows the principal's pass, or the dependant's passport validity if that is shorter. A dependant who wants to work has to apply for an Employment Pass.
Short assignments: the Professional Visit Pass
A Professional Visit Pass is for foreign talent providing services or undergoing practical training with a Malaysian company on behalf of an overseas company, on a temporary basis. It lasts no longer than 12 months per issuance, covers work only for the company named in it, and does not entitle the holder to a Dependant Pass.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary for a Malaysia Employment Pass in 2026?
For applications submitted on or after 1 June 2026: RM 20,000 and above for Category I, RM 10,000 to RM 19,999 for Category II and RM 5,000 to RM 9,999 for Category III. The figure is basic monthly salary only.
Do allowances count towards the Employment Pass salary?
No. The salary requirement is based on basic salary only. Allowances, incentives, bonuses and salary paid outside Malaysia are excluded.
How long is a Malaysian Employment Pass valid?
From 1 month to 60 months per pass, subject to the employment contract. Under the revised policy the maximum employment duration is up to 10 years for Categories I and II and up to 5 years for Category III.
Can I apply for a Malaysian work visa myself?
No. The employing company applies through its Expatriate Services Division account, after registering with the division.
Can I change employer on an Employment Pass?
You may only work for the company named in the pass. If you change company, the application has to be resubmitted.
Can Category III pass holders bring family now?
Yes, for Category III applications submitted on or after 1 June 2026. Passes issued before that date remain under the earlier policy, which does not allow dependants.
How long does a Malaysia Employment Pass take?
The booklet gives 5 working days for the expatriate application on the normal track and 2 on the fast track, after the pre-requisite steps, which have their own timelines of up to 10 working days each.
Official sources
- Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia — Revised Expatriate Salary Booklet, effective 1 June 2026
- Expatriate Services Division — FAQ on the Revised Expatriate Salary Policy (updated 12 February 2026)
- Expatriate Services Division — Employment Pass
- Expatriate Services Division — Dependant Pass
- Expatriate Services Division — Professional Visit Pass
All figures verified against the official documents above on 14 October 2026. Some older pages on the same portal still show pre-June 2026 wording, so rely on the dated booklet and FAQ. Information, not legal advice.