Malaysia work visa for Canadians
To obtain a Malaysian work visa, Canadian citizens must first obtain a work permit.
Malaysia work permit for Canadians
Malaysia Employment Pass is issued to Canadian citizens who will be working in a Malaysian company in a highly skilled position, such as a technical or managerial position.
Before you can obtain an Employment Pass, your employer in Malaysia must obtain the approval of the Expatriation Board or the relevant regulatory authority to hire you.
This type of work permit in Malaysia can be issued for 1-5 years, depending on the specific case or duration of work, and is renewable.
What types of work permits are available for Canadian citizens?
There are three types of Employment Pass for Malaysia, depending on your position and salary.
1. Employment Pass Category 1, which includes key positions in a company such as executives, CEOs, technical or managing directors, project managers, etc.
- You must have a monthly salary of at least RM10,000.
- You must have an employment contract for up to five years.
- The Employment Pass is renewable.
- You are allowed to hire a foreign domestic assistant.
2. Employment Pass Category 2, which includes managerial and professional positions in a company, such as marketing or investment manager, teachers, directors, architects, etc.
- You must have a salary between 5000 and 9999 ringgit.
- You must have an employment contract for up to two years.
- The Employment Pass is renewable.
- You are allowed to hire a foreign domestic assistant.
3. Employment Pass Category 3, which includes non-managerial positions in a company that require significant work experience and specific technical or practical skills. For example, designers (fashion, manufacturing, furniture), craftsmen, food technologists, etc.
- You must be paid a monthly salary of between RM3,000 and RM4,999.
- You must have an employment contract for up to two years.
- The Employment Pass cannot be renewed more than twice.
- You are not allowed to hire a foreign domestic assistant.
What are the requirements for obtaining a permit for Canadian citizens?
To obtain a work permit in Malaysia, Canadians must meet the following requirements:
- You must have the proper academic qualifications required for the job.
- You must have at least three years of relevant work experience. If your academic qualifications are less, you may need more years of relevant work experience.
- You must be working in a managerial, supervisory or technical position that requires special skills.
- You must meet the required salary requirements.
- You must not be employed in a sector that is considered restricted.
How can Canadians obtain a work permit in Malaysia?
As a foreign worker, you do not need to apply for your own Employment Pass. It is your employer who applies on your behalf in Malaysia before you travel.
The process of obtaining a Malaysian Employment Pass is divided into two parts:
- Your employer must request approval for employment through the Expatriation Board or another authorized agency. This process is known as applying for an expatriate position.
- Once the posting application is approved, your employer must apply for an Employment Pass Malaysia to the Department of Immigration Malaysia.Your employer must apply for an Employment Pass to the Employment Pass section of the Department of Immigration Malaysia. They must submit the application by mail or in person.
When your employer applies for an Employment Pass, they must provide the following documents:
- Employment application form.
- Your passport size photo in accordance with Malaysia's photo requirements.
- A copy of your passport.
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you intend to enter. In any case, the validity of your employment passport cannot exceed the validity of your passport.
- A letter or approval for mailing from the relevant authority.
- Authorization from the company to apply.
- Your employment contract or offer letter and acceptance letter.
- Your resume and copies of your diplomas and certificates.
- A copy of your employer's company profile from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).
- Health insurance
Malaysia Employment Pass processing time is three days.
Work visa to Malaysia from Canada
A visa with reference (VDR) means that you need to get approval from the Malaysian Immigration Department (i.e. Employment Pass) before the Malaysian representative office abroad can issue you a visa.
VDR is simply an entry visa issued to Canadians who are traveling for long-term purposes, such as work or study.
If you do not need a visa to enter Malaysia, you can enter Malaysia with a certificate only if you have an Employment Pass approval letter.
Citizens of countries that require a visa to enter Malaysia must apply for a Malaysia visa with a certificate at the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate.
Upon arrival in Malaysia, you must report in person to the immigration office and provide payment for the Employment Pass as well as your passport. Immigration officials will affix an Employment Pass sticker to your passport, confirming your stay in the country, and issue an expatriate card.
Can Canadian citizens with work permits bring their families?
If you are an Employment Pass holder, you can bring the following family members under the Malaysia Dependants Pass:
- Your spouse
- Your dependent children under the age of 21
The following family members can visit the Employment Pass holder with a Social Visit Pass:
- Parents
- Spouse
- Children over the age of 21
- Stepchildren
If your spouse wants to work, their dependent pass will not automatically allow them to do so. They have to apply for their own work permit.
Temporary work permit in Malaysia for Canadians
Temporary Employment Pass for Canadian worker, where a Canadian citizen is only allowed to work in the following categories: manufacturing, construction, plantation, agriculture and services. In addition, this type of pass can only be obtained by citizens of approved countries.
What are the requirements for obtaining a work permit in Malaysia for Canadian citizens?
You are eligible for a temporary work permit in Malaysia if you meet the following requirements:
You will be working in one of the following sectors
- Construction
- Plantation
- Agriculture
- Services
- Manufacturing
- You are from one of the following countries: Bangladesh (only allowed to work in the plantation sector), Cambodia, India (not allowed to work in the manufacturing sector), Indonesia (men are not allowed to work in the manufacturing sector), Kazakhstan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan (female workers are not allowed to apply for any sector).
- You are between the ages of 18 and 45.
- You have undergone a medical examination at an approved medical center and are found to be healthy and fit for work.
- Your employer has received a quota of foreign workers from the Ministry of Home Affairs, OSC center.
- You have passed the Immigration Security Certificate (ISC) verification at the ISC center in your country.
How can Canadians obtain a temporary work permit in Malaysia?
It is your employer who applies for your temporary employment to the Malaysian Immigration Department prior to your arrival.
The procedure for obtaining a temporary work permit is as follows:
1. Obtaining a visa confirmation letter
Before you can travel to Malaysia, your employer must obtain a visa approval letter from the Malaysian Immigration Department. The type of visa you have to apply for in your home country is a visa with reference, which means you need a letter of approval (reference) from the Immigration Department. To apply for a visa approval letter, your employer must:
- Obtain the results of your Immigration Security Certificate (ISC) verification from the ISC center in your country.
- Obtain approval of the foreign worker quota from the Ministry of the Interior.
Submit the application along with the required documents to the Malaysian Immigration Department in person or through an electronic service.
2. After the Department of Immigration issues the visa approval letter, you must submit your Malaysia visa application with the reference.
When your employer applies for a temporary employment visa to the Immigration Department, they must provide the following documents:
- Visa application form with reference (forms IM.12 and IM.38).
- A letter of quota approval from the Ministry of the Interior
- A copy of your passport.
- Your passport size photo in accordance with Malaysia's photo requirements.
- Your medical results from a medical center in your home country. The results must be valid for three months from the date of issue.
- Your ISC verification results.
- Receipt of payment of the foreign workers' fee.
- Security bond.
- Workers' compensation insurance scheme for foreign workers.
- Health insurance (Health Insurance Protection Scheme Foreign Workers (SPIKPA)).
What are the conditions for obtaining a temporary work permit in Malaysia?
If you are obtaining a temporary work permit for Malaysia as a foreign worker, you must comply with the following conditions:
- You cannot change your employer or sector of employment
- You cannot get married in Malaysia to a Malaysian citizen or a foreigner
- You cannot work on the frontline
- You cannot bring family members with you
The validity period of a Malaysia temporary employment is initially 12 months and it can be renewed/extended every year for a maximum of 10 years.
Your employer must apply for renewal of your permit three months before it expires. If they apply after the expiry date, the application will be rejected.
Malaysia business visa
An approved business-visa for Malaysia allows its owner to enter the country for business events, such as attending meetings and seminars, signing contracts and fulfillment of agreements.
There is no special online application form for a Malaysian business-visa at the moment. However, those, willing to enter Malaysia with business goals that do not foresee payment for work, may do this with the help of one of Malaysian tourist visas.
Tourist online-visa for Malaysia can be obtained via a simple online-application and issued as one of the following one- or multiple-entry electronic visas:
- 30-day one-time electronic visa;
- 30-day multi-entry electronic visa;
- eNTRI visa for stays of up to 15 days (for Chinese and Indian nationals only).
While it is currently necessary to apply for a tourist visa online to travel to Malaysia for business, the Malaysian government plans to launch a new eVisa for business purposes in the technology sector, the Blockchain Visa, in the nearest future.
Documents required to apply for a business visa to Malaysia
To apply for a business visa online, applicants must meet the requirements for a Malaysian visa and provide the following documents when filling out the form:
- A passport of the corresponding country, valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival to Malaysia, that has at least 3 blank pages;
- Three copies of a passport-size photograph, that meets the requirements for eVisa photos;
- Bank statements from the past 3 months that prove the availability of sufficient financial resources to cover the entire stay;
- Confirmed return plane tickets with the flight details.
- Additionally, provide a filled application form for a business-visa with these documents. A simple online form can be filled out in just a few minutes with basic personal, passport and travel information.
To apply, you must also answer a few health and safety questions and pay the business visa fee using a valid debit or credit card.
The applicant must also provide a current email address to which a copy of the approved Malaysian business eVisa will be sent. They should then print a copy to carry with them when they travel to Malaysia.
Upon arrival in Malaysia, the business eVisa holder must show the following documents to the border officer to enter the country:
- The same passport that was used to apply for a visa to Malaysia;
- Color printout of an approved business eVisa;
- Confirmation of the availability of sufficient funds to cover accommodation;
- Boarding pass and confirmed return tickets;
- Travel itinerary for the stay;
- Proof of residency in Malaysia.
- The same passport used to complete the application must be used to enter Malaysia as the approved eVisa is linked to this passport.
- If the passport associated with the e-Visa expires while the online visa is valid, a new online form will need to be submitted to continue traveling to Malaysia.
What is the Investor Pass?
The Investor Pass is an entry permit for foreign investors who frequently travel to seek business opportunities in Malaysia. It allows you to stay in the country for up to 12 months (6 months with the possibility of extension). The pass uses a Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) system based on an existing Social Visit Permit (SVP).
It came into force on April 1, 2025.
Who can get an Investor Pass?
There are three categories of investors:
- New investors - those who do not yet have an investment in Malaysia.
- Investors in process - those who are negotiating or have applied for investment approval.
- Existing investors - those who already have companies registered in Malaysia but are not operating any of them.
What industries are covered by the Investor Pass?
- For new and potential investors, all sectors of the economy are covered.
- For existing investors - only manufacturing and selected service sectors (with MIDA approval).
What positions are eligible for Investor Pass?
Business owners, founders, members of the board of directors, shareholders, and senior executives.
Can I apply while I am in Malaysia?
No, the applicant must be outside Malaysia at the time of application.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Investor Pass?
- The age of 18 years or older.
- No undesirable persons or criminal records.
- Official employment in the country of origin.
- Exclusively business purposes of the trip (without the right to be employed in Malaysia).
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
How to apply for Investor Pass?
The application must be submitted through the Xpats Gateway. MIDA issues a letter of support, and the final approval is given by the Malaysian Immigration Department.
What documents are required?
- A copy of your passport (all pages).
- Certificate of incorporation of the parent company.
- Audited financial statements.
- An official invitation from a government agency (if required).
How long does it take to process the application?
- Letter of support from MIDA - 3 business days.
- Approval from the Immigration Service - 2 business days.
Can I extend my Investor Pass?
Yes, you can apply for another 6 months 30 days before the expiration date.
Can I convert my Investor Pass into a work visa?
Yes, if necessary, it can be changed to Employment Pass (EP), Professional Visit Pass (PVP) or other types of permits.
Can I bring my family with me?
No, the Investor Pass does not allow the entry of dependents. They can come on a standard social visa.
How is the Investor Pass different from the Social Visit Pass?
The Investor Pass is a multiple entry visa (MEV) that allows you to stay in Malaysia for up to 12 months, while the standard social visa is a single entry visa.
Malaysia