Temporary work permit in Malaysia for Laotians

Temporary work permit in Malaysia is issued for a period of work up to two years. It is issued for the following two categories:

• Temporary Employment Pass for Laotian worker, where a Laotian 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.

• Temporary work permit for domestic helpers (FDH), which is issued only to women from approved countries. In this case, a foreign worker will work at the home of his/her employer, provided that the employer has young children or elderly parents who need care.

What are the requirements for obtaining a work permit in Malaysia for Laotian 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 Laotians 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.

Work permit in Malaysia for Laotian citizens

You are eligible for a temporary foreign domestic helper (FDH) work permit in Malaysia if you meet the following requirements:

• You are a female between the ages of 21 and 45.

You are a citizen of and reside in one of the following countries:

• Cambodia
• India
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Philippines
• Vietnam
• You have received a work permit for health reasons from an approved medical center.
• You get your Immigration Security Certificate (ISC) verification from the ISC center in your country.

In addition, you can only work for an employer who:

• Meets the income requirements (at least 3000-5000 ringgit)
• Has children under 15
• Has a sick elderly parent
• Your employer cannot hire more than one foreign domestic helper unless they have a valid reason.

How can Laotians obtain a work permit in Malaysia?

Your employer must apply for approval from the Department of Immigration before they can hire you and you arrive in Malaysia. Or your employer can appoint an employment agency to apply on their behalf. The process of obtaining a temporary work permit for a foreign domestic helper (FDH) is as follows:

1. Applying for a visa letter

Your employer must obtain approval from the Malaysian Immigration Department before you can apply for a visa in your home country.

2. Applying for a visa to Malaysia with a reference

You must apply for a visa with a reference in your home country at a Malaysian mission (embassy or consulate). To obtain a visa with a reference, you need a certificate from the immigration office (i.e. a letter of approval).

3. Applying for a temporary work permit for a foreign domestic helper (FDH)

After you enter Malaysia, you and your employer must go to an immigration office (e.g., the State Immigration Office or Immigration Headquarters) within one month and declare your presence. During this month, you must also undergo a FOMEMA medical examination.

After you have completed these steps, you can apply for a temporary work permit for a foreign domestic worker at the Department of Immigration. You will receive a sticker on your passport stating that you are authorized to work and the validity of the Pass.

When your employer applies for a visa for Malaysia Temporary Employment Approval, they must have the following documents:

• Application form for foreign domestic worker (PRA1)
• Visa application form (forms IM.12 and IM.38)
• A form of personal bond with an income stamp of RM10.00
• 2 originals and 2 copies of the employment contract form for the foreign domestic worker signed by both parties and stamped with RM10.00.
• A copy of your passport
• Your passport size photo in accordance with Malaysia's photo requirements
• Your medical health report issued by a clinic in your home country and certified by a clinic approved by the Ministry of Health Malaysia
• Copy of employer's identification cards (both spouses)
• Marriage certificate for employers
• Supporting documents for the employment of a foreign domestic helper, such as birth certificates of children, medical certificate for sick parents, etc.
• Employer's income statement, such as EPF and payslips for the last three months.

If the employer is not a Muslim: attach the following two forms available on the Malaysian Immigration Department website:

• Declaration Form for Employment of Muslim Foreign Domestic Workers
• Declaration form for Muslim foreign domestic helpers

If the employer submits the application himself and not through an employment agency, he must attach a declaration form stating that he has not used a registered agency.

What are the conditions and validity of a temporary work permit for a foreign domestic helper (FDH)?

The conditions of working in Malaysia as a foreign domestic helper include:

• You must only do domestic work.
• You must be provided with accommodation with basic amenities.
• Your employer must respect your religious beliefs and allow you to practice your religion, including fasting in Ramadan, praying 5 times a day, and not force you to do work that is against your religious beliefs.
• You cannot get married in Malaysia.
• You cannot change your employer or sector of employment unless approved by the Malaysian Immigration Department.
• You cannot apply for an entry permit.

The validity of a temporary work permit in Malaysia for a foreign domestic helper is 12 months. Your employer can apply for an extension of the Pass three months before its expiration date.

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:

1. New investors - those who do not yet have an investment in Malaysia.
   
2. Investors in process - those who are negotiating or have applied for investment approval.
   
3. 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.