Malaysia Employment Pass (Category I/II) for Indians
Last verified: August 31, 2026
Quick facts
- Processing time
- 4–10 weeks
- Government fee
- about $400
- Start preparing
- about 5 months before your move
- Steps in the plan
- 8
- Need an apostille
- None
- Need a translation
- None
- Job offer
- Required
“Start preparing” covers gathering documents, the 4–10 weeks decision wait and two weeks of slack. Add apostille and translation costs to the government fee.
Overview
Employer-sponsored pass with salary bands revised in June 2026: Category I from RM 20,000/month and Category II RM 10,000–19,999 (both up to 10 years); Category III RM 5,000–9,999 (max 5 years, renewal-limited). The employer must be registered with the ESD and hold an approved expatriate quota; Indian nationals also need a Visa with Reference to enter.
This page covers Indians. For every nationality we track, see the Malaysia Employment Pass (Category I, II & III) overview.
Requirements for Indians
| Minimum annual income | $28,400/year |
| Minimum savings | No requirement |
| Job offer required | Yes |
| Degree required | Yes |
| Family can join | Yes |
| Path to permanent residency | No |
Processing time & costs
Typical processing takes 4–10 weeks after applying. The government fee is approximately $400. Difficulty: 3/5.
Documents you'll need
- Job offer meeting the June 2026 salary bandsCategory I needs RM 20,000+ a month and Category II RM 10,000+ under the June 2026 bands.
- Employer ESD registration & expatriate quotaThe company must be on the Expatriate Services Division portal with an approved quota for the role.
- Degree certificate & CV for submissionScanned degree, CV, passport pages and photos uploaded to ESD.
- Employer submits the EP application on ESDSubmitted online with the employment contract; approval typically takes 2-6 weeks.
- Visa with Reference (VDR) approvalIndian nationals need a VDR issued alongside the EP approval.
- Collect the entry visa in IndiaA single-entry visa collected at the Malaysian High Commission, consulate or visa centre.
- Enter Malaysia & pass endorsementThe Employment Pass is endorsed after arrival via the employer.
- Onboarding: insurance, bank account, tax fileMedical cover, a local bank account and income tax registration.
The full ordered checklist — with timing, dependencies, apostille and translation flags, and personalized due dates — is part of the paid plan.
Not moving yet?
The Employment Pass (Category I/II) takes about 5 months from first document to moving day. Tell us when you plan to move and we’ll email you once, on the day you should start.
Is the Employment Pass (Category I/II) right for you?
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- How long does the Malaysia Employment Pass (Category I/II) take for Indians?
- Typical processing time is 4–10 weeks after applying, plus the time needed to gather documents.
- What does the Employment Pass (Category I/II) cost?
- The government fee is approximately $400. Additional costs (translations, apostilles, insurance) vary by case.
- Do Indians need a job offer for the Employment Pass (Category I/II)?
- Yes. A job offer from an employer in Malaysia is required before applying.
- Can I bring my family on the Employment Pass (Category I/II)?
- Yes — this visa allows accompanying family members, with additional documentation.
- What is the income requirement for the Employment Pass (Category I/II) for Indians?
- The minimum income is about $28,400 a year, roughly $2,367 a month, expressed in US dollars. The official threshold is set in local currency and moves with exchange rates, so confirm the current figure with the official source.
Other Malaysia visas for Indians
Other destinations for Indians
Malaysia visas for other nationalities
Always confirm requirements with the official government source. This guide is general information, not legal advice.