🇲🇾 Malaysia work visas for Filipinos 2026
Last verified: August 31, 2026
Filipinos moving to Malaysia from Philippines have 2 main visa routes: Employment Pass (Category I/II) and Professional Visit Pass. The fastest is the Professional Visit Pass at 3–8 weeks. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
Just visiting? Do Filipinos need a visa for Malaysia? covers tourism, family visits, conferences and business trips.
Compare Malaysia visas for Filipinos: cost, processing time, and requirements
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass (Category I/II)work | 4–10 weeks | $400 | Required | Yes | No |
| Professional Visit Passwork | 3–8 weeks | — | Required | No | No |
Malaysia visa guides for Filipinos
Employment Pass (Category I/II)
workEmployer-sponsored pass with salary bands revised in June 2026: Category I from RM 20,000/month, Category II RM 10,000–19,999 (both up to 10 years), Category III RM 5,000–9,999 (max 5 years). The employer must be ESD-registered with an approved expatriate quota. Filipino workers also complete DMW processing for an Overseas Employment Certificate before departure.
Professional Visit Pass
workShort-term pass (up to 12 months, non-renewable in most cases) for professionals who remain employed and paid by their overseas company while working with a Malaysian host — common for technical support, training, and project assignments. No salary minimum; the host company applies via the ESD, and a personal bond applies.
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- Which Malaysia work visa can Filipinos get?
- Most Filipino professionals use the Employment Pass. The employer must be registered with the Expatriate Services Division and hold an approved expatriate quota, and the salary bands were revised in June 2026: Category I from RM20,000 a month, Category II RM10,000 to 19,999, and Category III RM5,000 to 9,999. If you stay employed and paid by a company outside Malaysia, the Professional Visit Pass covers assignments of up to 12 months with no salary minimum, applied for by the Malaysian host company.Source: Immigration Department of Malaysia: Expatriate Services Division
- Do Filipinos need an OEC to work in Malaysia?
- Yes. Besides the Malaysian pass, Filipino workers complete Department of Migrant Workers processing for an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) before departure. Plan for it alongside the Employment Pass application, not after it.Source: Department of Migrant Workers (Philippines)
- Can Philippines citizens move to Malaysia?
- Yes. Philippines citizens have 2 main routes into Malaysia: the Employment Pass (Category I/II) and the Professional Visit Pass. Each has its own requirements, fees, and processing time, compared on this page.
- What is the fastest Malaysia visa for Filipinos?
- The Professional Visit Pass typically processes in 3–8 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Filipinos move to Malaysia without a job offer?
- Every Malaysia route we track for Filipinos currently requires a job offer from an employer in Malaysia.
- What is the cheapest Malaysia visa for Filipinos?
- The Employment Pass (Category I/II) has the lowest government fee at about $400. Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- Which Malaysia visas let Filipinos bring family?
- The Employment Pass (Category I/II) allows accompanying family members with additional documentation.
- How much does a Malaysia work visa cost for Filipinos?
- Government fees for Filipinos are about $400 for the Employment Pass (Category I/II) (USD equivalents). Translations, apostilles, medicals, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- How long does a Malaysia work visa take for Filipinos?
- Typical processing is 4–10 weeks for the Employment Pass (Category I/II) and 3–8 weeks for the Professional Visit Pass, counted from the date you apply. Add time for gathering documents.