IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government announced that it will introduce a new online platform for Employment Pass applicants.

Key Points:

  • Beginning June 15, employers under the Expatriate Services Division authority will be able to apply for support letters in one centralized location through Xpats Gateway.
  • Previously, employers who needed support letters were required to apply through designated approving agencies.
  • Employers can continue to obtain their support letters directly from their designated approving agencies until the full implementation of Xpats Gateway on Aug. 15.

Additional Information: More information regarding the implementation of Xpats Gateway is available here.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian authorities are introducing Xpats Gateway to simplify the process for obtaining support letters for EP applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government has announced that employers registered in the Expatriate Services Division need to update their business profile to continue to use the portal.

Key Points:

  • Companies registered in ESD online must update their business profile and purchase the latest e-SSM by May 31. To complete this process, companies must:
    • Log into their ESD account and click on the “Company” tab.
    • Select their respective “Primary Sector/Industry” from the drop-down list.
    • Select their respective “Approving Agency/Regulatory Body” from the drop-down list (if applicable).
    • Select “YES” if their primary office is located outside of Malaysia or “NO” if their primary office is located in Malaysia.
    • Provide their primary office address if they answered “YES” to the previous item.
    • Click on “CONFIRM SAVE” to keep the changes.
  • Companies should contact this email if they have questions regarding the steps outlined above. More information is available here.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian authorities are requiring companies to update their business profile and purchase the latest e-SSM to improve the quality of their online services. Companies should ensure they update their information by the May 31 deadline.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government has introduced an online option for submitting Certificates of Good Conduct (SKBs).

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals can now submit their SKBs online through this website.
  • Beginning Sept. 1, foreign nationals must submit SKB payments online through a cashless payment system.
  • Most foreign nationals are required to submit SKBs as a prerequisite for applying for study, work and residence permits.
  • More information regarding the process for submitting SKBs online is available here.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian authorities introduced an online option to submit SKBs to streamline the application process for those applying for study, work and residence permits. Foreign nationals will benefit from reduced processing times for verifying SKBs.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government announced that it will automatically approve foreign national projection applications.

Key Points:

  • As of April 1, projection applications will be automatically approved after employers submit requirements online through the Expatriate Services Division.
  • Employers can resubmit projection applications that were submitted before April 1 that have not yet been adjudicated to receive automatic approval.
  • Employers will now be able to submit Employment Pass and Professional Visit Pass applications directly after receiving automatic projection approvals.

Additional Information: Employers are reminded they must complete all mandatory fields, including the justification for the projection and the number of local staff and foreign workers, to receive automatic projection approval.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian authorities introduced automatic projection application approval to streamline the application process for employers hiring foreign nationals on EP and PVP permits. Employers will benefit from reduced processing and application times for projection applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government has expanded its endorsement services offered at the Expatriate Services Division Satellite Center.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals submitting applications for the Employment Pass Category III or Professional Visit Pass can now complete the endorsement process at the ESD Satellite Center in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
  • Previously, those applying for the Employment Pass Category III or Professional Visit Pass had to complete the endorsement process through the Delivery of Pass method.
  • More information regarding the endorsement process at the ESD Satellite Center is available here.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian authorities expanded the endorsement process to Employment Pass Category III and Professional Visit Pass holders to reduce processing delays for those entering the country through Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government recently opened online applications for multiple-entry visas.

Key Points:

  • Individuals can submit applications through the MYVISA portal to enter the country for business purposes, tourism and a few other reasons. To apply individuals must:
    • Show proof of sufficient funds for staying in the country.
    • Possess a valid and confirmed return ticket.
    • Not be a part of a tour group.
    • Pay applicable fees if they are an Indian or Chinese national.
  • More information regarding the e-visa multiple-entry visa application process is available here.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals cannot submit applications for Employment Passes, Professional Visit Passes or Dependent Passes on the MYVISA portal.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals can now apply for the multiple-entry visa for Malaysia. Travelers are reminded that they are permitted to conduct business activities while in the country on the multiple-entry visa.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government will require employers to register with government authorities in February in order to hire foreign nationals under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Feb. 1, employers hiring foreign nationals under the MDEC must obtain an approval letter from the Department of Labor Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) or have proof of prior registration with the JTKSM.
  • Employers who do not obtain approval or submit a registration will not be able to apply for Work Pass projections, which are required to apply for Work Passes for foreign nationals.
  • Employers must register for specific industries in which they intend to hire foreign nationals with the JTKSM.
  • Employers can obtain a letter from the JTKSM through this website.

Additional Information: The registration requirement does not affect work and immigration authorizations that were issued before Jan. 1, 2023.

BAL Analysis: Employers should seek to obtain an approval letter or have proof of registration with the JTKSM as soon as possible to avoid delays when applying for Work Pass projections.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government expanded access to its expedited entry process for Long-Term Pass holders.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals can now use Malaysia’s Autogate facility when entering and exiting the country if they hold a valid:
    • Long-Term Pass, including the Talent Residence Pass, Employment Pass, Student Pass, Professional Visit Pass, Temporary Work Visit Pass, Premium Visa Pass, MM2H and Long-Term Social Visit Pass.
    • Passport that has a digital chip and complies with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
  • Previously, only Malaysian nationals were permitted to use the Autogate facility when entering and exiting the country.

BAL Analysis: The Malaysian government expanded access to its expedited entry processes for Long-Term pass holders to reduce travel wait times and streamline entry and exit processes for many foreign nationals.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Malaysian government recently announced that it will introduce an electronic pass (ePASS) feature for renewing Employment Passes online.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Dec. 1, foreign nationals will be able to renew their Employment Pass through the ePASS feature on this website.
  • Foreign nationals must hold an Employment Pass that is still active, and it must be endorsed in the same passport.
  • Foreign nationals will not be able to use the ePASS feature if they hold a new passport that has not received a previous pass endorsement.
  • Sponsoring employers can use this website to download said Employment Pass and its related passes as an ePASS.
  • More information regarding the ePASS feature is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Malaysian government will introduce the ePASS feature to simplify the Employment Pass renewal process and reduce the number of pages used to endorse such passes on foreign nationals’ passports. BAL will continue to monitor changes to Expatriate Services Division-related services and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Malaysian government has introduced a Premium Visa Program (PVIP) for investors to live and work in the country.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals can now submit applications for the PVIP to live, work or study in Malaysia for up to 20 years.
  • To be eligible for the PVIP, applicants must:
    • Earn at least 40,000 MYR per month or 480,000 MYR per year.
    • Open a fixed deposit account of at least 1 million MYR with a licensed bank in Malaysia.
    • Pay application fees of 200,000 MYR for themselves and 100,000 MYR for each dependent.
    • Submit applications with an authorized agency appointed by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
  • Premium visa holders are permitted to work, conduct business activities, study and purchase commercial, industrial or residential real estate while living in Malaysia.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals can be of any age to apply for the PVIP and do not need to meet minimum stay requirements to qualify. More information regarding the PVIP is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Malaysian government introduced the new investor visa program to attract more investors, entrepreneurs and foreign talent to not only live in the country but to work and study as well. Previously, Malaysia’s investor visa program did not allow foreign nationals to work or study in the country.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.