Get Your Malaysia Work Visa: Requirements & Cost In 2023

Are you planning on seeking employment in Malaysia? Then this blog is for you. In this blog, we will discuss the types of work visas Indians can apply for, the requirements needed to obtain a work visa, and all the nitty-gritty information about Malaysian Work Visas for Indians.

What Is The Malaysia Work Visa For Indians?

A Malaysia work visa For Indian citizens is a Visa that grants Indian nationals permission to take employment in Malaysia for a specified time.

As an Indian passport holder, you must hold a:

Senior-level

Skilled position, such as that of a technical expert, senior executive, or manager

Be engaged or appointed by a company, organization, industry, undertaking, etc., in Malaysia on a contract or employment basis.

You can apply for a Malaysia work visa by applying for a Malaysian Visa With Reference (VDR).

A Malaysian Visa With Reference (VDR) is a visa that is issued by the Malaysian Representative Office (such as an embassy or consulate) to a foreign national who wants to enter Malaysia. This visa allows individuals to enter Malaysia after it has been approved by the Immigration Department Headquarters.

Then from there, your employer would apply for the Work Visa/Work Permit category based on the nature of your job and the duration of your contract.

The Malaysia Work Visa For Indians is issued in three categories;

Malaysia Employment Pass For Indians

You can get the Malaysia Employment Pass if you travel to Malaysia to work for a registered Malaysian company for up to five (5) years or sixty months, depending on your employment contract.

Malaysia's Expatriate Committee firstly issues approval for the Indian nationals applying for the Employment Pass to occupy that particular vacancy through their employer. Afterwards, Malaysia's Immigration Department issues the Expatriate Employment Pass.

Note that your Malaysian employer must apply for the Employment Pass on your behalf.

Malaysia Temporary Employment Pass For Indians

Your employer can apply for you to get the Malaysia Temporary Employment Pass if you will be working in Malaysia for a period not exceeding twelve months.

Your employer can apply for an extension for up to ten years on its expiry. Three months before your TEP expires, your company must apply to extend it. If they apply after the deadline, they will be rejected.

Your employer can apply under the following sectors for your TEP:

Agriculture

Construction

Plantation

Services

Manufacturing

The Temporary Employment Pass is also available for Foreign Domestic Helpers who travel to work in Malaysia as domestic helpers.

Malaysia Professional Visit Pass For Indians

If you are an Indian national with sufficient technical skills, you can apply for a Professional Visit Pass (PVP).

You may visit Malaysia temporarily for up to a year to work or receive hands-on training from a Malaysian business. The Professional Visit Pass is valid for up to twelve months from the time of issuance.

Who Can Apply For The Malaysia Work Visa For Indians?

Indian nationals planning to immigrate to Malaysia for employment or work purposes can apply for a Malaysia work visa.

Remember that you must have a firm employment offer with a contract to qualify for the visa. You cannot apply for the Malaysian Work Visa to travel to search for employment opportunities.

The Malaysian Immigration authorities will offer you a Malaysian Work Visa as an expatriate. Also, your employer must submit your Malaysia work visa on your behalf.

What Are The Malaysia Work Visa For Indians Required Documents?

To apply for a Visa With Reference, you must meet the following visa requirements:

Form IMM38

Identification Card of your employer's representative who is making the application

A Valid passport from India

Your two most recent photographs, you can check Malaysia visa photosize

Proof of financial support from your sponsor or income equivalent to or more than RM 2000 per month

Letter of undertaking from your employer

Supporting documents of family ties (if applicable)

Sufficient funds to support your stay in Malaysia

For a Malaysia Temporary Employment Pass, you must have the following documents when applying:

Visa Approval Letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs

Paid TEP Levy Receipts

Valid Visa Application Form IMM 12

Payment Form

Visa With Reference Application Form

One recent photograph

Your medical report from India was approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Health

Copy of your valid Indian Passport

Bank/Insurance Guarantee valid for 18 months

Your stamped personal bond

The initial approval letter for hiring foreign labor

Representative Company Card for Indian foreign workers Visa With Reference Application

Your employer/sponsor must have the following documents when applying for a Professional Visitor Pass for you:

Your valid Indian passport copy

Your recent passport-size photograph/picture

Offer letter from a Malaysian employer/sponsor

Malaysia Visa Application form

For international students: Education certificates, resume, and written agreement between your institution and your sponsor/employer

For religious missionaries: approval letter from the Malaysian Department of Religion

You must meet all the minimum requirements before seeking a Malaysia Work Permit For Indians. This includes knowing which type of permit you can apply for based on the nature and contract length of your work.

How Do I Apply For The Malaysia Work Visa For Indians?

Before you arrive in Malaysia, your employer or sponsor must submit an application for a work permit on your behalf. The general procedures you and your company should adhere to while requesting a Malaysian work permit are as follows:

Step 1: Your employer applies for permission to hire foreign workers

Your employer must apply to one of the Malaysian agencies designated for each economic sector to hire you to fill a vacancy in their company.

These agencies are responsible for approving applications in different sectors. For example, suppose you are going to work in the construction industry. In that case, your employer must apply to the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB).

If the relevant agency approves your employer's application, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Apply for a Malaysia Visa With a Reference

After your employer's application to hire you has been approved, you can apply for a Malaysia Visa With Reference (VDR). This visa allows you to enter Malaysia for the purpose of work. You can apply for the VDR at the Malaysian embassy or consulate in India.

Alternatively, your employer can file your VDR and Employment Pass (EP) applications simultaneously while you are still in India. The EP is the work permit that allows you to work in Malaysia. Your employer will need to apply for the EP after your VDR application is approved.

Step 3: Your employer applies for your work permit

Once your VDR application is approved, your employer can apply for your work permit. The type of work permit you need depends on the nature of your job and the duration of your stay in Malaysia. There are several types of work permits, including:

Employment Pass: for foreign professionals, managers, and executives

Professional Visit Pass: for foreign experts and consultants on short-term assignments

Temporary Employment Pass: for foreign workers on short-term assignments

Your employer can apply for your work permit through the Malaysian Expatriates Services Division website.

Step 4: You get your work permit issued in Malaysia

Once your work permit application is approved, you can travel to Malaysia with your VDR letter. Upon arrival, you will need to get your passport stamped with a relevant work pass. The immigration officer will check your VDR letter and work permit application to ensure everything is in order. After that, you can start working legally in Malaysia.

Can I Extend The Malaysia Work Visa For Indians?

Yes, you can. The Temporary Employment Pass is valid for a single year.

However, your employer can apply for its extension annually, up to the fifth year, three months before its expiry. This is because the maximum validity period of the Professional Visit Pass is 12 months. Still, your employer can apply for it to be extended by another 12 months.

When Should I Apply For The Malaysia Work Visa For Indians?

Your employer should apply for your Malaysia work visa while you are still in India. We recommend that the application is made for your Malaysia Work Permit for at least a month before travelling to Malaysia. That is to allow sufficient time for authorities to process your Malaysia Work Permit application.

Important things you need to know about the Malaysia Work Visa For Indians

You might have several important questions about the Malaysia work visa For Indians. Here is what you'll need to know

What Are The Malaysia Visa Types?

There are several Malaysia visa types available for those traveling to Malaysia, including:

Tourist Visa: This visa is for Indian nationals who wish to travel to Malaysia for tourism purposes, such as sightseeing or visiting friends and family. It is valid for up to 30 days.

Evisa: It is an electronic visa that allows visitors to enter Malaysia for tourism or business purposes for a stay of up to 30 days.

Business Visa: This visa is for Indian nationals visiting Malaysia for business purposes, such as attending meetings or conferences. It is valid for up to 30 days.

Student Visa: This visa is for Indian nationals who have been accepted to study at a Malaysian educational institution. It is valid for the duration of the course of study.

Malaysia Visa on Arrival: This type of visa allows Indian citizens to enter Malaysia for tourism or business purposes without having to obtain a visa in advance. It is typically issued for a stay of up to 30 days.

Malaysia eNTRI visa: The Malaysia eNTRI (Electronic Travel Registration & Information) visa is available to Indian citizens and is issued electronically.

Malaysia Permanent Residence visa: This visa is intended for individuals who wish to reside in Malaysia long-term, either for work, study, or other purposes.

Malaysia Resident Pass: The Malaysia Resident Pass is available for individuals who have already obtained a Malaysia work permit and wish to extend their stay in the country.

Malaysia Transit visa: The Malaysia Transit visa is intended for individuals who are transiting through Malaysia on their way to another destination

What Are The Fees To Apply For The Malaysia Work Visa For Indians?

After getting your Malaysia Visa With Reference, your employer will apply for your Malaysia Work Pass based on the duration of your contract and the nature of your job.

For different Malaysia Work Permits or Work Passes you might be eligible for; the Malaysia Visa fees are as follows:

Malaysia Employment Pass: RM 200 approx 3668 INR per year

Malaysian Employment Pass Processing Fee: RM 125 approx 2292 INR

Malaysia Professional Visit Pass: RM 90 approx 1660 INR per quarter & RM 360 approx 6640 INR per year.

What Are The Malaysia Work Visa Processing Times?

The processing times for your Malaysia work visa will depend on where your employer applies for it.

For instance, if your employer applies for your Malaysia work Visa or Employment Pass through the Malaysian Immigration Department's MYXpats Centre, the processing time is five (5)working days. That excludes public holidays and weekends.

Suppose your employer applies for your Malaysian Work Visa at the Immigration Department of Malaysia. In that case, the processing time is no longer than three (3) working days.

How Long Can I Stay In Malaysia With The Malaysia Work Visa?

The duration of your stay in Malaysia with a Malaysia work visa will depend on your work permit and the nature of your job. The type of Malaysia Work Permit the government of Malaysia issues is based on the duration of your work contract.

With the Employment Pass Work Permit, you can stay for up to five years in Malaysia

With the Temporary Employment Pass, you can stay in Malaysia for up to twelve months.

The Professional Visit Pass is valid for a period not exceeding twelve months. If you apply to be trained at a factory or a hotel, the PVP is valid for six months.

What Are The Financial Requirements For The Malaysia Work Visa For Indians?

To apply for the Malaysia Employment Pass, you must earn at least RM 3000 per month, approximately 55 293 Indian Rupee. You may be required to earn more in some cases.

For the Temporary Employment Pass, you'll be required to present Bank/Insurance Guarantee valid for at least eighteen (18) months.

The same also applies to the Professional Visitor Pass.

What Can I Expect When I Arrive In Malaysia?

You must present your passport and make payment for the Pass at the Immigration Department of Malaysia once you've arrived in Malaysia.

Before entering Malaysia, you must also present other supporting and travel documents. Your application will be processed at the Immigration Department of Malaysia's offices.

You will receive a work permit card and a sticker for your passport. You can then get to work.

Make sure to obtain a Resident Permit or Identity Card, as well as a Labour Card.

Be careful with your personal documents. DO NOT give your Passport or copy of your Employment Contract to any unknown person. If your employer takes your passport, ensure that you always keep a photocopy with you.

Don't sign any other Employment Contract or blank paper during your stay in Malaysia.

Remember that resorting to agitations is illegal under local labor laws. You could face serious consequences, including arrest, imprisonment, and deportation.

Register with the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur when you arrive.

If you encounter any problems with non-payment or delayed payment of wages or compensation or any other issues, report them to the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur.

There You Go!

With many employment opportunities Malaysia offers foreign nationals, there is no reason why you should not take those opportunities up and settle there.

Whatever kind of work permit you need, you are guaranteed to get it to work easily in Malaysia.

Government Sources

This blog was written with the assistance of Ai. But all the content was fact-checked and has been verified, and the information was gathered from reliable government sources.

Malaysia Home Affairs

High Commission Of Malaysia