More and more expats are choosing Malaysia as a country to move to, as the country has a well-developed economy, good career prospects and an affordable standard of living. Find out where a foreigner can look for work in Malaysia, what vacancies are promising and the types of work visas available in 2025

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Malaysia is one of the most progressive countries in Asia. The country's economy has been growing steadily in recent years, new technologies are being introduced, and more and more prospects are emerging not only for the local population, but also for migrant workers. Today, employment in the country is not only an interesting experience, but also a real opportunity for professional growth and good earnings for foreigners from any corner of the world, including citizens of Turkmenistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Singapore. In addition, in your free time you can visit a lot of incredible places and enjoy the stunning local landscapes.

Of course, finding a job abroad and moving can be a difficult process. However, if you know about the peculiarities of labor migration and have a strong desire, then everything will be possible.

In this article, we have prepared useful information about employment in Malaysia, visa requirements and other conditions for moving to the country in 2025.

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Where can a foreigner look for work in Malaysia in 2025?

For legal employment in Malaysia, foreign citizens must have an appropriate work visa. To obtain it, you must first receive a job offer from a local employer. Therefore, it is worth starting planning your move by searching for vacancies.

The labor market in Malaysia needs qualified specialists in various fields. You can search for vacancies both on the websites of local companies and on resources or bulletin boards.

Popular sites for finding work in Malaysia:

- FastJobs;

- Indeed;

- Linkedin;

- JobStreet;

- Gradmalaysia;

- JobMalaysia;

- Jora Malaysia.

Having found a decent job and successfully passed the interview, the employer must send an offer, confirmation of employment or an employment contract. After that, you can begin the procedure for applying for a work visa.

What positions do foreigners work in Malaysia?

The country's economy is developing rapidly. In various fields, more and more innovations are being introduced, and the labor market is expanding. Despite considerable competition in Malaysia, there is also a high demand for foreign specialists. International workers are especially needed in industries where there is a shortage of labor.

The key areas where a foreigner can find a good job in Malaysia are the following:

- Computer technology, IT.

- Banking, finance.

- Manufacturing.

- Construction and engineering.

- Education.

- Business.

- Medicine.

- Biotechnology.

- Agriculture.

- Automotive sector.

- Electronics.

- Tourism.

- Seasonal work, tutoring, language teaching, internships are also popular.

Average salary in Malaysia

Malaysia has a fairly low standard of living and affordable prices for housing, services, products, and other goods. At the same time, qualified specialists earn good money here. For example, foreigners in ordinary positions can earn an average of more than 10 thousand ringgit per month, which allows them to live comfortably in the country. More professional specialists with many years of work experience and skills receive from 15-20 thousand ringgit per month and more. There are many examples of foreigners earning even 50 thousand ringgit per month in the country.

Work Visa to Malaysia

There are several types of work visas in Malaysia:

Employment Pass (EP)

A work permit that is the basis for employment in Malaysia for foreigners. One of the main conditions for obtaining this permit is the presence of an employment contract lasting up to 60 months.

However, before you can obtain a work permit in Malaysia, your employer must obtain permission from a government agency to employ you.

Depending on the position and salary, there are three types of Employment Pass in Malaysia:

- Employment Pass Category 1 – a permit that is obtained by key specialists in Malaysia: managers, general directors, technical or managing directors, project managers, etc.

The main requirements for an expat are the presence of an employment contract lasting up to five years and a monthly salary of at least 10,000 ringgit (about 2,000 US dollars).

- Employment Pass Category 2 – this type of visa is granted to middle managers – marketing or investment managers, teachers, directors, architects, etc.

The salary level under the contract should be in the range of 5,000 to 9,999 ringgit (approximately 1,000 – 2,000 US dollars). The duration of the employment contract is up to two years.

- Employment Pass Category 3 – this visa is granted to foreigners who have been employed in Malaysia in positions that require significant work experience and special technical or practical skills. For example, designers (fashion, manufacturing, furniture), artisans, food technology workers, etc.

The salary level under the contract should be from 3,000 to 4,999 ringgit (670 – 1,000 US dollars). The duration of the employment contract is up to two years. However, this type of EP cannot be extended more than 2 times

For more details on the procedure for obtaining an Employment Pass in Malaysia and the package of documents, read our previous article.

Temporary Employment Pass in Malaysia

A Temporary Employment Pass in Malaysia is issued to semi-skilled or unskilled workers in certain approved sectors. The Malaysian government issues two categories of temporary employment passes:

- For foreign workers in the manufacturing, construction, plantation, agriculture and services sectors.

- For Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDH).

In addition, holders of temporary employment passes in Malaysia must comply with age, nationality and gender requirements depending on the specific profession.

Professional Pass

A professional pass to Malaysia is issued to foreigners who want to temporarily (up to 12 months) work in Malaysia, but are still employed by a foreign company.

To obtain a visa, you must correctly fill out the application, provide all documents and pay the visa fee.

Requirements for foreign workers for employment in Malaysia

In Malaysia, there are certain requirements and conditions for granting a work visa. A work permit is issued only to candidates who meet the following criteria:

- Have a passport valid for at least 18 months.

- Have reached the age of 27 (except for the IT sector, where the age must be at least 23 years).

- Have confirmation of employment.

A work permit in Malaysia is usually issued for a period of 6 months to 5 years. However, the duration and type of visa will also depend on the terms of the employment contract and other nuances.

An indicative package of documents for obtaining a Malaysian work visa

To apply for a visa to Malaysia, you must provide the following documents to the embassy:

- A correctly completed application form:

- A valid international passport;

- Copies of higher education documents;

- Reviews from previous jobs;

- Two color photos;

- Description of the work and duties that the applicant must perform in the country;

- Employment contract or other confirmation of employment;

- Company letter of employment;

- Medical insurance.

Since there are several types of visas, and the requirements may vary depending on the circumstances, check with the embassy for all information regarding the complete package of documents.

What language do you need to know to work in Malaysia?

English is widely spoken in the country, but knowledge of Malay will significantly increase your chances of getting a more decent position and salary.

Therefore, another important condition for employment in Malaysia is language proficiency.

What taxes do foreigners pay in Malaysia?

In Malaysia, the income tax rate ranges from 0 to 28%.

Residents who earn more than $ 2 million per year are taxed at a rate of 30%.

The income of non-residents working in the country is taxed at a rate of 28%.

According to the law, non-residents are citizens who are in Malaysia for less than 182 days per year.

Malaysia is a promising country for expats to move to, as it has a low cost of living, excellent career prospects for foreigners, as well as a favorable climate and rich culture.

Let us remind you! Malaysia attracts expats with reasonable prices, a developed social sphere, a rich culture and picturesque landscapes. We have already talked about the prices for renting housing, food, utilities and transport, as well as the monthly budget in Malaysia in 2025.

Photo – corpso.com

Contact a migration lawyer to get detailed advice on obtaining a work visa to Malaysia. The help of a highly qualified specialist will significantly simplify the procedure for moving to Malaysia.