Malaysia is updating its Employment Pass work visa: visa stickers are becoming a thing of the past, replaced by a digital format

Malaysia has announced updates to its Employment Pass (EP) program for 2025, aimed at modernization, transparency, and supporting the country's economic growth. These changes are designed to simplify the process of obtaining permits for foreign specialists and adapt to global trends in digitalization.

The Employment Pass is a work visa for foreign professionals who have received a job offer from a Malaysian company. It allows them to legally live and work in one of Asia's most dynamic economies.

Starting in 2025, physical stickers with approval will be replaced by electronic permits — ePASS — which can be downloaded and printed independently. This innovation speeds up the application process, improves security, and reduces administrative barriers.

The EP program has also become more structured, with three categories based on salary level and permit validity. Category I includes salaries above 10,000 ringgit with a validity period of up to five years, category II — from 5,000 to 9,999 ringgit with a maximum validity period of two years, and category III — from 3,000 to 4,999 ringgit with the possibility of obtaining a permit for a period of up to one year and two renewals.

In addition, in 2025, visa fees for work visas and permits for foreign specialists and their dependents will increase. Specialists changing their position or EP category within the country are now required to cancel their previous pass and apply for a change of category. Another important new requirement is that companies must hire Malaysians at a ratio of 1:3 when providing internships for local workers, which will remain in effect until the end of 2025.

The application process is now fully automated: employers register their companies, approve positions, and submit applications through the relevant authorities. Once approved, the applicant receives a digital ePASS, which must be printed and presented as required.

These updates make Malaysia's Employment Pass system more efficient and competitive internationally, underscoring the government's commitment to transparency, local workforce development, and attracting foreign talent to key sectors of the country's economy.

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