Foreign workers in Malaysia holding an Employment Pass (EP) should be aware of recent changes affecting their employment status. The Malaysian Immigration Department has introduced new regulations requiring employers to submit a ‘change of category letter’ at the application approval stage when altering an Employment Pass category (Category 1, 2, or 3).
This update mandates that when changing the category of an EP, employers or companies must first cancel the current Employment Pass before applying for the new category. Beginning on 1st January 2025, employers will also be required to submit the ‘change of category letter’ as part of the approval process for the application.
The Employment Pass (EP) allows foreign nationals to work for organizations in Malaysia under a contract that can last up to 60 months. Additionally, EP holders are eligible to apply for a Dependant Pass for their spouse and children under 18 years of age.
It is important to note that foreign workers may only work for the company listed on their Employment Pass. If they change employers, they must submit a new application for approval.
Before applying, foreign workers should confirm that the employer is eligible to apply for an Expatriate Employment Pass. The company must first receive approval from the Expatriate Committee (EC) or relevant authorities to hire foreign talent before the Employment Pass can be issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
