Malaysia (MY)

Multicultural, English-friendly Malaysia offers affordable living, world-class street food, tropical lifestyle, and a well-developed expat infrastructure in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Capital: Kuala Lumpur

Region: Asia

Language: Malay

Currency: MYR (RM)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 40)

Emergency: 999

Jobs & Work Permits

Everything you need to find work and get authorised to work in Malaysia.

JobsMalaysia

Jabatan Tenaga Kerja (Department of Labour)

Free registration at jobsmalaysia.gov.my using your email address. Upload CV and set job alert preferences. The platform is primarily used by Malaysian citizens and PR holders. Expatriates with valid Employment Passes may also use it but most expat job search happens through private platforms and headhunters.

Services offered:

✓Job listing database for Malaysian employers
✓CV registration and job matching
✓Career guidance and counselling
✓Apprenticeship and vocational training matching
✓JobsMalaysia Portal for employer vacancy posting

Expat eligibility: JobsMalaysia is accessible to all Malaysia residents. However, most positions listed require candidates to already have a valid work permit. Employers must prove they cannot find a local candidate before Immigration approves a new Employment Pass — the "Labour Market Test" requirement means expats primarily find roles through direct employer sponsorship and private recruitment channels.

Visit JobsMalaysia

💼 Work Permits

EU Citizens

EU citizens have no preferential treatment in Malaysia — all foreigners require an Employment Pass sponsored by a Malaysian employer, regardless of nationality. Malaysia is not part of any EU freedom-of-movement agreement. The EP application is made by the employer at the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) portal. Processing: 1–4 weeks for approved applications.

Non-EU Citizens

All non-Malaysian foreign nationals require a valid Employment Pass (EP), Professional Visit Pass (PVP), or other relevant immigration endorsement to work in Malaysia. The employer must be a company registered in Malaysia and approved by the Immigration Department. EP salary thresholds (from June 1, 2026): Category I RM10,000+/month (up to 5-year pass); Category II RM5,000–RM9,999/month (up to 2-year pass). Note: the previous Category III (RM3,000–4,999) is eliminated from June 2026 — the new EP minimum floor is RM5,000/month. Some sectors have specific quotas and approval requirements.

EU Blue Card

Malaysia has no EU Blue Card equivalent. The Employment Pass system serves a similar purpose for skilled foreign workers.

Freelancer Visa

Malaysia launched the DE Rantau Digital Nomad Pass in October 2022 — a 12-month pass (renewable once) for digital nomads earning at least USD24,000/year from overseas clients. Apply at www.humanresources.com.my or through the DE Rantau portal. The pass allows living and remote-working in Malaysia but not working for local Malaysian employers. RM1,000 application fee.

⏱️ Work Culture

Typical hours 8:30am–5:30pm Monday–Friday in most offices. Some sectors (finance, O&G, legal) have longer hours. Malaysian work culture can have significant overtime pressure in some companies, particularly in manufacturing and professional services. Hybrid work arrangements became common post-COVID and are now standard at multinationals.

Annual leave Statutory minimum: 8 days/year (first 2 years), 12 days/year (2–5 years), 16 days/year (5+ years) under the Employment Act. Most professional roles offer 14–21 days. Plus 11–16 public holidays depending on state. Government-linked companies (GLCs) and MNCs typically more generous.

Sick leave 14 days/year (under 2 years service), 18 days/year (2–5 years), 22 days/year (5+ years) — per Employment Act 1955. Hospitalisation: additional 60 days/year. Sick leave with pay requires a medical certificate (MC) from a registered medical practitioner.

Trial period Probationary period: typically 3–6 months, stated in contract. During probation, notice period is typically 1 month each party. Termination during probation requires notice or payment in lieu.

Notice period 4 weeks for service under 2 years; 6 weeks for 2–5 years; 8 weeks for 5+ years (Employment Act minimums). Professional contracts often specify 1–3 months. Garden leave is common at senior levels.

Salary range Entry-level professional (KL, multinational): RM4,000–6,000/month. Mid-level manager: RM7,000–15,000/month. Senior manager/director: RM15,000–30,000/month. C-suite: RM30,000–100,000+/month. Oil & gas, banking, and tech typically pay 20–40% above average. Salaries in East Malaysia (Sabah/Sarawak) and secondary cities are 15–25% lower.

Pay frequency Monthly, paid by the last day of the calendar month or as specified in the contract. 13th month bonus (a.k.a. "bonus") is standard in most companies, typically paid in December/Chinese New Year. Performance bonuses vary — 1–6 months' salary in good years.

Contract types

·Permanent employment (Perjanjian Tetap) — most common for full-time roles
·Fixed-term contract — common for project-based roles, renewable
·Part-time employment — governed by Employment Act provisions
·Contract-for-services (self-employed/freelance) — not covered by Employment Act
·Apprenticeship and internship agreements (minimum RM600/month stipend guidelines)

🔍 Job Boards

Jobstreet (by SEEK)

The dominant job platform in Malaysia with the largest database of local and multinational employer listings. Most Malaysian companies post here. Filter by location, industry, salary range, and experience level.

Essential for professional networking and senior/specialist roles. Malaysian professionals are active on LinkedIn, particularly in KL's finance, tech, and oil & gas sectors. Premium membership with InMail credits is recommended for active job seekers.

Indeed Malaysia

Aggregates listings from Jobstreet, employer websites, and direct postings. Good for cross-platform searching and salary insights.

Hiredly (formerly Wobb)

Malaysia-focused platform targeting millennials and Gen Z professionals. Strong in startup, tech, and creative industry roles. Culture-based matching with company videos and work style profiles.

Glints Malaysia

Technology and startup-focused platform popular across Southeast Asia. Good for digital, product, and engineering roles in Malaysian tech companies.

🌍 Expat-Friendly Resources

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TalentCorp Malaysia

Government agency under the Ministry of Economy focused on attracting and retaining talent. Runs the Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) programme and has partnerships with multinational employers. Useful for senior professionals in targeted sectors.

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Michael Page Malaysia

Leading international recruitment firm with a strong Malaysia presence. Specialises in finance, banking, FMCG, technology, legal, and professional services. Often handles confidential senior-level and C-suite searches.

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Robert Walters Malaysia

Global specialist recruitment firm with expertise in financial services, legal, technology, HR, and executive search for multinational companies in Malaysia.

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Expat.com Malaysia Jobs

Job board specifically targeting expats seeking roles in Malaysia. Useful for finding companies already experienced with Employment Pass sponsorship.

📝 Application Tips

CV format: Standard international CV format is widely accepted. 1–2 pages for most roles; up to 3 for senior positions. Include photo for traditional Malaysian companies (optional for MNCs). Include NRIC or passport number sometimes requested. Clear summary of skills at the top. Do not include health information or family details unless asked. LinkedIn profile link is increasingly expected.

Cover letter: Expected

Language: English is the primary business language in multinational companies, banking, finance, and professional services. Bahasa Malaysia is required for government roles and some local companies. Mandarin is an advantage for roles in Chinese-owned businesses. Tamil may be relevant for some Indian-community businesses. No formal language certification is required for Employment Pass applications.

Interviews: Generally professional and structured. Malaysians are polite and indirect — feedback may be softened. Multiple interview rounds are common for senior roles (2–4 rounds). Panel interviews are standard at MNCs. Salary negotiation is expected — counter-offer 10–20% above initial offer. Ask about EP sponsorship process and timeline at first interview. Dress smartly (business casual minimum; formal for banking/legal). Punctuality is important for business meetings even if social events run late.

🤝 Networking Tips

→Join the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC), or European Chamber of Commerce (Eurocham) for business networking events and connections with other expats in industry
→MYStartup ecosystem events (NEXEA, 1337 Ventures, MDEC events) for tech startup networking
→InterNations KL chapter holds regular events — useful for both social and professional connections
→LinkedIn is the most active professional networking platform — connect with KL-based recruiters and industry groups
→Malaysia HR Forum (MHR) and HR in Asia events for HR professionals
→PEMUDAH and MIDA connect foreign investors with government officials and business facilitation
→Golf is an important business networking activity among senior Malaysian professionals — many deals are made at the club
→Attend industry-specific conferences: FintechNews Malaysia, Malaysia Tech Month, KL Fashion Week, Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS)

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