The Malaysian government has reminded employers registered on the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) online portal to submit their Employment Pass (EP) and Professional Visit Pass (PVP) quota projections for 2023.

Key Points:

  • Employers can now submit their 2023 EP and PVP quota projections through the ESD online portal.
  • To submit 2023 projections, companies must log in through this website and follow the guided prompts.
  • Unused projections approved for 2022 will not be carried into 2023.
  • Malaysian authorities will process projection requests within five to 10 working days after the application is received.

Additional Information: More information regarding the 2023 projections application process is available here.

BAL Analysis: Companies should plan to submit their projections as soon as possible to avoid possible delays.

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 has launched a program called PLS@XPATS, allowing qualifying foreign nationals to work in Malaysia during short-term visits.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals can now qualify to work in Malaysia for up to 30 days under the PLS@XPATS program if they work in one of the following industries:
    • Agriculture.
    • Aviation.
    • Business services.
    • Commodities.
    • Construction.
    • Education.
    • Electrical and electronics.
    • Finance and banking.
    • Health and medical.
    • Information, technology and infrastructure.
    • Manufacturing.
    • Oil, gas and energy.
    • Security and defense.
    • Tourism.
    • Wholesale and retail.
  • Companies should submit applications through this website on behalf of their foreign workers.
  • Applicants are required to provide an official invitation letter from the employer, a passport with at least six months validity, their work schedule, job description, flight information, and the company’s SSM (Companies Commission of Malaysia) e-info.
  • Foreign nationals must be outside of Malaysia to qualify for the PLS@XPATS program.
  • Malaysian authorities will process PLS@XPATS applications and issue decisions within three business days of receiving applications. If approved, foreign nationals will receive an approval letter to show authorities upon arrival.

Additional Information: Visa-required foreign nationals must obtain a Visa Without Reference (VTR) at their local Malaysian embassy or consulate or apply for an e-visa through this website to enter the country through the PLS@XPATS program.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian authorities launched the PLS@XPATS program to shorten the processing times for qualifying foreign nationals, giving them work authorization more quickly than other programs.

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 has introduced a Digital Nomad visa.

Key Points:

  • As of Oct. 1, foreign nationals can apply for a remote work permit that is valid for three to 12 months and renewable for 12 months at a time.
  • To be eligible for the Digital Nomad visa, applicants must:
    • Have proof of a minimum yearly income of at least $24,000.
    • Have proof of an active contract for at least three months with an employer based in or outside of Malaysia.
    • Pay a fee of 1,000 MYR for themselves and an additional 500 MYR for each dependent.
  • Digital Nomad visa applications can be submitted through this website.

BAL Analysis: The new visa was created to bring more foreign national “digital nomads” to the country to stimulate the economy, create jobs and help the country recover financially from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 lifted its COVID-19 entry requirements for all travelers.

Key Points:

  • As of Aug. 1, COVID-19 entry rules no longer apply to those traveling to the country, regardless of the traveler’s departure country and vaccination status.
  • Travelers are no longer required to have proof of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test or take a COVID-19 test upon arrival.
  • Malaysian authorities are no longer requiring  travelers to quarantine upon arrival.

Additional Information: Travelers can download and use the MySejahtera application before or after arrival in Malaysia to track their COVID-19 risk status while staying in Malaysia. More information regarding health policies for those who test positive for COVID-19 while in Malaysia is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information 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 announced that it will ease its COVID-19 entry and quarantine requirements for travelers arriving in Malaysia.

Key Points:

  • Beginning April 1, fully vaccinated travelers and those who are medically exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination will be required to:
    • Have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure.
    • Take an antigen test at a designated facility within 24 hours after arrival.
  • Such travelers will not have to quarantine upon arrival.
  • Travelers who are not fully vaccinated and are not medically exempt will be required to quarantine for five days upon arrive, take a PCR test on the fourth day after arrival and an antigen test on the fifth day after arrival.

Additional Information: Travelers under the age of 18, regardless of their vaccination status, will be exempt from the post arrival testing and quarantine requirements. More information regarding Malaysia’s COVID-19 entry and health policies is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information 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.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Malaysian government has exempted certain work pass holders from needing to get MYEntry or MYTravelPass permissions to enter Malaysia.

Key Points:

  • As of Jan. 13, individuals applying for the following pass types no longer need MYEntry or MYTravelPass entry permissions:
    • Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) and their dependent(s).
    • Employment Pass (Category EP I, II and III).
    • Professional Visit Pass (PVP).
    • Dependent Pass to expatriate for all categories.
    • Long-Term Social Visit Pass.
    • Foreign maids for foreign nationals.
  • Short-term business travelers and embassy staff and their dependents do not meet the exemption requirements and must continue to get MYEntry or MYTravelPass permissions to enter the country.

BAL Analysis: The Malaysian government intends to streamline application process for the applying for the passes listed above.

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 has updated its entry and quarantine requirements for travelers arriving in Malaysia.

Key Points:

  • Fully vaccinated travelers who have received a booster shot must:
    • Quarantine for five days.
    • Have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure.
    • Take a PCR test upon arrival and take a PCR test on the fourth day after arrival or a supervised antigen test on the fifth day after arrival.
  • Fully vaccinated travelers who have not received a booster shot must:
    • Quarantine for seven days.
    • Have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure.
    • Take a PCR test upon arrival and take a PCR test on the fifth day after arrival or a supervised antigen test on the seventh day after arrival.
  • Travelers who are not fully vaccinated must:
    • Quarantine for ten days.
    • Have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure.
    • Take a PCR test upon arrival and take a PCR test on the eighth day after arrival or a supervised antigen test on the tenth day after arrival.

Additional Information: Travelers will be released form their quarantine once they receive a negative PCR or antigen test taken near the end of their designated quarantine period. More information regarding entry and health policies is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information 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 provided additional information on the new features and services available on the Expatriate Service Division (ESD) portal.

Key Points:

  • Online endorsement and online payment. Applicants can now make immigration fee payments through the online portal. This will reduce in-person visits to the Immigration Department and MYXpats Center.
  • Endorsed Pass Delivery. Authorities will deliver endorsed Employment Passes (EP), Professional Visit Passes (PVP) and related passes. More information regarding the delivery of endorsed passes can be found here.
  • Improved portal features. Employers must now upload documents through the online portal for passes to be endorsed. All related notifications from regarding endorsements will now be sent through the system.

Additional Information: The Malaysian government announced the changes to the ESD portal in early October. The ESD Satellite Center at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport will open on Dec. 1. The process for Transfer of Endorsement (TOE) remains unchanged at this time.

BAL Analysis: BAL will continue to monitor changes to ESD-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 © 2021 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 announced that foreign nationals who hold a Long-Term Visit Pass will be able to enter the country without having to apply through My Travel Pass (MTP) or MyEntry.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Nov. 1, foreign nationals who hold one of the following Long-Term Visit Passes will be exempt from the application process for entering the country:
    • Diplomat (Exemption Order)/Dependent/Foreign Maid.
    • Employment Pass (Category I, II, III)/Dependents/Foreign Maid.
    • Foreign Maid (PRA).
    • Long-term Pass (Husband/Wife/Child) to Citizens.
    • Malaysia Pass My Second Home (MM2H)/Dependents/Foreign Maid.
    • Permanent Resident (PR)/Spouse to PR/Child to PR.
    • Professional Visit Pass.
    • Professional Visit Pass – Specialist.
    • Resident Pass.
    • Resident Pass-Talent (RP-T)/Dependents/Foreign Maid.
    • Senior Citizen Pass.
    • Student/Dependent/Escort Pass.
    • Temporary Working Visit Pass (PLKS).
    • Widow/Widower Pass to Citizens.

Additional Information: Individuals who hold a Social Visit Pass, expired Long-Term Visit Pass, Application for Employment Pass (Category I, II, III)/Resident Pass-Talent (RP-T)/Dependents/Foreign Maid and Professional Visit Pass (newly approved) or Short-Term Business Traveler Pass must apply through MTP or MyEntry before entering the country.

BAL Analysis: Malaysian entry procedures remain subject to existing immigration rules, health protocols and quarantine requirements implemented by the Ministry of Health. BAL will continue to monitor entry procedure developments 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 © 2021 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 reminded employers registered with the Malaysia Digital Economy Cooperation (MDEC) to submit their Foreign Knowledge Workers (FKW) projections for 2022.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Nov. 1, the eXpats system will be open for 2022 FKW projections.
    • Only companies with FKW requirements for the first quarter of 2022 should submit their projections to ease the approval process.
  • MDEC companies should submit projections by logging into this website and checking the submission checklist.

Additional Information: MDEC companies can submit their FKW projections throughout 2022 based on their hiring needs. Companies cannot apply for new or renewal employment passes without submitting a FKW projection.

In addition to submitting 2022 FKW projections in November, companies have until Nov. 14 to submit FKW projections for the rest of 2021. Companies should ensure that they select the correct year, 2021 or 2022, when submitting their FKW projections.

BAL Analysis: Companies should plan to submit their projections as soon as possible to avoid possible delays.

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

Copyright © 2021 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.