Reclassification of Employment Pass Category
What has changed
Effective September 1, 2017, Employment Pass (EP) salary requirements and duration granted will change. These changes will result in the re-classification of the various EP categories by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), and are as follows:
|
Employment Pass Category |
Monthly Basic Salary Requirements Effective Sept 1, 2017 |
Current Monthly Basic Salary Requirements |
Duration of EP Granted Effective Sept 1, 2017 |
Current Duration Permitted |
|
Category I (Expatriate) |
RM 10,000 |
RM 5000 |
Up to five (5) years | Two (2) years |
|
Category II (Expatriate) |
RM 5,000 to 9,999 |
RM 5000 |
Up to two (2) years |
Less than two (2) years |
|
Category III (Knowledge/Skill Workers) |
RM 3,000 to 4,999 |
RM 2,500.00 to RM 4,999.00 |
Up to one (1) year (can renew twice) |
Up to one (1) year (can renew twice) |
Who is affected?
- All clients whose employees are applying for the Employment Pass in Malaysia
What to expect
When filing the EP application, there is no need to specify the EP category. At the time of issuance of the EP sticker on passport, the authorities will issue the EP sticker according to the relevant EP Category based on the monthly basic salary.
Post Sept 1, 2017, the company can file an application with monthly basic salary of more than RM 10,000.00 for the maximum duration of five (5) years, however approval is at the discretion of the authorities.
For those eligible and seeking up to five (5) years approval the employment contract will need to list the maximum allowed duration of five (5) years accordingly.
For category III EP prior approval from MOHA is required for exemption from the minimum basic salary requirement of RM 5,000.00 per month is required. Approval must be obtained before filing the EP application. There is no change in this regard.
- Clients should be aware of the changes in salary requirement so they can make an informed decision on whether salary adjustments are necessary for expatriates.
- Contact your Emigra Worldwide representative for further details on how these updates may impact you or your client.
What has changed
Effective April 1, 2017, Professional Visit Pass (PVP) applications (Stage 1 approval) will now be processed by the Malaysia Expatriate Talent Service Centre (MYXpats Centre), run by TalentCorp together with the Immigration Department of Malaysia and overseen by the Ministry of Home Afairs (MOHA). It is expected that the processing time will be reduced considerably. Previously, applications were processed by the Expatriate Services Division (ESD), Putrajaya with a processing time of about four (4) to six (6) weeks from submission.
Who is affected?
- All clients submitting applications for the approval of the Professional Visit Pass (Stage 1 approval) in Malaysia
What to expect
MYXpats Centre anticipates the PVP processing timeline to be about 7 (seven) business days from submission of the complete set of documents. As this is newly implemented, the processing timeline is an estimate.
The MYXpats Centre also processed and issues all Employment Pass (EP) and related documents for expatriates intending to work in Malaysia.
- Contact your Emigra Worldwide representative for further details on how these updates may impact you or your client.
