Professional Category I Visa

What is a Professional Work Permit Visa?

Professional Work Permit is an Employment Pass for 2 years (DP10 Visa). Professional Work
Permit means that an expatriate from another country is Highly Skilled and is Offered a Skilled
Job in Malaysia. The skilled categories are the same as in Western Countries - IT Professionals,
Teachers, Doctors, Nursing and Managers. In simple words it is an 'Employment Pass' issued by
the Government for skilled workers. The initial validity of the pass is 2 years but it can be
extended for 12 years.
A Company (Sdn. Bhd. i.e. Private Limited) needs to have a High Paid Up capital greater than
RM 500,000/- to qualify for recruiting Foreign Skilled Workers. They need to satisfy the
Immigration that they have Skilled Category Job Vacancies and therefore need skilled workers
from Other Countries. The reason for employing Foreign Skilled Workers is that they could not
find a Local Malaysian citizens with the required skills and professional background suitable for
their job. This is where Professional Work Permit gets its importance and expatriates are
selected based on their Background and Qualifications. They are offered an Offer Letter by the
Recruiting Company to work for them. Upon signing the Offer Letter, they are given a Contract
of Employment for two years.
This Employment Pass has a High Value in the International Arena. Those individuals seeking to
apply for Canadian, Australian, UK and USA Immigration/work permits have a higher probability
of success once they qualify for the Malaysian Professional Work Permit. Malaysian Companies
are recognized all over the World. This means that their Work Experience is recognized
internationally. For example Australia issues a 3 months visa for a Working Individual in
Malaysia to explore and find a job there. Many Malaysian Companies have branches in Western
and Far East Countries, therefore an employee can request for a transfer to another branch in
USA, UK, Canada or Australia. This widens the horizons for an individual who in the long run is
planning to settle in the West and working in Malaysia for the short run.

What is i-Kad (Emplyment Pass ID Card)?

Upon Confirmation of your Professional Visa, the Immigration issues an i-kad (card) used as
your Expatriate Identity Card for travelling within Malaysia.

How can I Qualify for a Professional Work Permit?

There are several agencies in Malaysia that are providing Consultancy to Skilled Foreigners for
applying for Professional Work Permits. The Candidate applying for a professional work permit
is required to have Educational background and Working Experience in Skilled categories i.e. IT
Professionals, Teachers, Doctors, Nursing and Managers. Sometimes due to less educational or
professional experiences, it becomes difficult for candidates to qualify for a Professional Work
Permit. This is where such Recruiting Agencies play a positive role in providing paper-work
Consultancy.

What is the minimum and maximum Age Limit for a Professional

Work Permit Application?
The minimum Age Limit is 27 years for an IT based Professional Work Permit. The maximum is
50 years. In-case you are below 27 years the Agency needs to apply for extra documentation for
an Approval. They will charge an extra fee for preparing your documents. It is usually RM 1,500
on top of the fee of DP 10 Category 1 visa.

Which Documents are required for applying from my Home Country?

1. Photocopy or Scanned Passport Copy (All Pages)
2. Photocopies or Scanned Credentials
3. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
4. Passport Sized Pictures
Please ensure that you email only JPEG, PDF or MS Word Files.

How much time does it take to apply for a Professional Work Permit?
The whole process from Case Submission till Calling Letter takes around 6 - 8 weeks. Upon
receiving the Calling Letter you are liable to clear the Agency fee and travel to Malaysia.

Can my wife / dependants follow me to Malaysia?

Yes your dependants can follow you to Malaysia and are permitted to seek employment. The
Cost of applying for Dependant Visas is as follows:
Spouse Dependant Visa @ RM 2800
Children Dependant Visa @ RM 2000

Can my wife / dependants work in Malaysia?

Yes they are allowed to seek employment in Malaysia. (please see the details of Dependent list
at the very below of this paper)

How can I find my dream jobs in Malaysia?

You can register yourself with www.jobstreet.com.my or www.jenjobs.com.my for finding
employment possibilities in Malaysia. You can start applying for jobs while the Agency arranges
paper-work for immigration.

How much can I earn every month?

Once the permit is issued there are brighter chances for earning a decent salary in Malaysia.
You can earn from RM 2,500 to RM 5,000 depending upon your educational and professional
background. IT professionals, doctors and nurses have a higher probability to earn more than
RM 8,000. There are few jobs which are specific for Malaysian citizens, remaining are for all job
seekers as long as they have a valid visa to work in Malaysia.

Can I apply for Permanent Residency in Malaysia?

Yes you can apply for Permanent Residency after 10 years upon working in Malaysia on a
Professional Work Permit. You can avail the advantages such as a Malaysian IC (Identity Card),
Personal, car and house loans, credits etc.

Can I apply for a Malaysian driving License?

If you have a license from your Country of Residence, you can convert it to a Full Malaysian
License. The JPJ Office in Putra Jaya deals with driving license. The cost is RM 20 plus RM 30
annually for a Full Malaysian Driving License. You can also request a Driving License Agent to
apply at JPJ Office on your behalf. This will save your time and effort in a new country. They
usually charge around RM 700 for this service.

Can I apply for a Malaysian driving License without any Agents Help?
Yes you can.

Can I register my own Company in Malaysia?

You have an opportunity to register your own company in Malaysia. Legally, you need to have
one Local Malay Director of the Company. You can have an Enterprise (Sole Proprietor) or a Sdn
Bhd (Pvt Ltd) Company upon paying the relevant fee and presenting legal documents.

Can I get a house on rent?

Yes you can rent an entire Row-House, Apartment or a Condominium with swimming pool and
gym facilities for RM 500 to RM 1000 per month. Renting a Single Room can cost you around
RM 200 to RM 300.
Can I get a Bank Account in Malaysia?
After receiving your Professional Work Permit, the Agency (Company) issues an Account
Opening Letter for the Candidates to apply for a Bank Account. You need to present your
Original Passport showing your valid Work Permit to the Bank Officer and they will open a
Savings or Current Account upon request.

Can I get a Credit Card from any Malaysian Bank?

Yes, you can apply for Credit Cards from any Bank in Malaysia. The criteria is the same i.e
depending upon your monthly income, credit history etc.

Why should I choose Malaysia for Employment?

Besides being a tourist attraction in the Far East, Malaysia is a growing economy that offers
expatriates from various countries to live and work here. General Workers (labourers) to Highly
Skilled professionals can find suitable jobs and earn a better living. Expatriates from both
Western and Eastern Countries enjoy a good standard of living followed by opportunities to
work in the Far East countries like Singapore, even ahead till Netherlands and Australia.
Malaysian Government allows their Local Enterprises (Sdn Bhd i.e. Private Limited) to seek
Skilled Employees from other countries so as to fill the gaps; increasing productivity and
efficiency on the whole.

Reasons to choose Malaysia:

Gateway to the whole world.
Maximum Opportunities for Job-Seeking Individuals in Malaysia and Neighboring Countries
(visit www.jenjobs.com.my, www.gogo2u.com, www.allstaff.com and
http://www.jobstreet.com.my)
Cost of living is lower than other Far-East Countries Existence of a Diversified Cultural.

Dependent List
Dependent Pass:
Once your DP10 work permit is approved, you can bring following family members under
“Dependent Pass” in Malaysia:
 Husband/Wife
  Children (under 21 years of age)
 Parents
Required documents:
 Passport copy of principal DP10 work permit holder(All Pages)
 Passport copy of Dependent (All Pages)
 Proof of relationship (Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, etc. The copies MUST be
ATTESTED by the Embassy of the applicant)
Process duration:
Approximately 2 weeks

Documents Required
1. Cover letter and Letter of Authority from the company.
2. Form DP11A with recent passport size photograph.
3. Proof of relationship with the Expatriate (a translated copy has to be certified by an
Embassy official if the document is neither written in English nor in the Malay language).
4. A photocopy of the complete Dependant’s Passport (Two copies for PRC citizens)
5. A photocopy of the complete Expatriate’s Passport.
Fee
1. Passes – RM90.00 per year or part thereof
2. Processing fee – RM50.00
3. Journey Performed Visa Fee – RM500.00 ( if relevant)
Visa fee – according to the nationality of the individual
Social Visit Pass for Dependents
Who are eligible for the Social Visit Pass?
1. Parents of Expatriate Official.
2. Common law wife (required to have confirmation from the Embassy).
3. Children under 21 years old.
4. Step-children
Procedure
Application for the Social Visit Pass can be submitted together with an application for
Employment Pass or after the application for Employment Pass has been approved.
Supporting documents for the application of the Social Visit Pass
1. Cover letter and Letter of Authority from the company.
2. Form DP11A with recent passport size photograph.
3. Personal Bond (RM10.00 Stamped)
4. Proof of relationship with the Expatriate (a translated copy has to be certified by an
Embassy official if the document is neither written in English or in the Malay Language).
5. A photocopy of the complete Dependant’s Passport (Two copies for PRC citizen)
6. A photocopy of the complete Expatriate’s Passport.
Government Fee
1. Passes – First 3 months (Free)
2. Subsequent months – RM50.00 x 9 months
3. Processing fee – RM50.00
4. Journey Performed Visa Fee – RM500.00 ( if relevant)
Visa fee – according to the nationality of the individual