New Guidelines for Expatriate Entering Malaysia for Key Posts and Technical Posts, and for Dependents and Foreign Maids

10 June 2020

Dear Members and Friends,

The Immigration Department of Malaysia has issued new guidelines for Expatriate entering Malaysia for Key Posts and Technical Posts, and for Dependents and Foreign Maids during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period. Expatriates definition includes RP-T holders, EP holders and PVP holders.

For any inquiries on the guideline, please e-mail: esdhelpdesk@imi.gov.my

I. Expatriate with an ACTIVE PASS, who is currently stranded abroad.

1. The company is to obtain a Support Letter from the relevant Approving Agency or Regulatory Body according to their respective sector.

2. An application for entry permission has to be submitted by the company, together with the Support Letter from the relevant Approving Agency or Regulatory Body.
The application must be sent via e-mail to pbf@imi.gov.my in order to obtain the decision of the Director-General of Immigration Department Malaysia (DGIM).
The approval by the DGIM is SEVEN (7) working days from the date of the application submission.
All applications after seven (7) working days upon submission, will be considered as rejected

3. Upon approval by the DGIM, the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) will issue an Entry Approval Letter for the expatriate to the company.
The company is responsible for sending and/or e-mailing the Entry Approval Letter to the expatriate.

4. The expatriate who has obtained the entry approval is REQUIRED to undergo PCR Covid-19 Test abroad within THREE (3) days and must be medically confirmed to be tested negative for Covid-19 prior to entering Malaysia.

5. Upon arrival in Malaysia, the expatriate must present the Entry Approval Letter to the Immigration Officer at the entry point, together with their PCR Covid-19 result.
It is COMPULSORY for the expatriate to DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL the “MySejahtera” mobile application.

6. The expatriate MUST undergo a FOURTEEN (14) day HOME QUARANTINE.
The expatriate will be required to undergo a Covid-19 / Swab Test if instructed by the MOH.

II. Expatriate with an EXPIRED PASS, who is currently stranded abroad.

In addition to the above, the expatriate who is currently abroad with an expired pass is required to obtain a visa from the respective Malaysian Embassy/ Consulate General/ High Commission prior to entering Malaysia. A visa application is only applicable for nationalities that require a visa to enter Malaysia.

iii. NEW expatriate who is currently abroad.

1. The company is to obtain first an Approval Letter from the Expatriate Committee (EC)

2. The company is to obtain a Support Letter from the relevant Approving Agency or Regulatory Body according to their respective sector.

3. Application for entry permission has to be submitted by the company, together with the Support Letter from the relevant Approving Agency or Regulatory Body .
The application must be sent via e-mail to pbf@imi.gov.my in order to obtain the decision of the DGIM.

The approval by the DGIM is SEVEN (7) working days from the date of the application submission.
All applications after seven (7) working days upon submission, will be considered as rejected

4. Upon approval by the DGIM, the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) will issue an Entry Approval Letter for the expatriate to the company.
The company is responsible for sending and/or e-mailing the Entry Approval Letter to the expatriate.

5. The expatriate who has obtained the entry approval is REQUIRED to undergo PCR Covid-19 Test abroad within THREE (3) days, and must be medically confirmed to be tested negative for Covid-19 prior to entering Malaysia.

6. Upon arrival in Malaysia, the expatriate must present the Entry Approval Letter to the Immigration Officer at the entry point, together with their PCR Covid-19 result
It is COMPULSORY for the expatriate to DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL the “MySejahtera” mobile application.

7. The expatriate MUST undergo a FOURTEEN (14) day HOME QUARANTINE.
The expatriate will be required to undergo a Covid-19 / Swab Test if instructed by the MOH.

IV. Dependents, including foreign maids to the expatriate who is currently stranded abroad.

Dependents, including foreign maids to the expatriate who is currently stranded abroad, are permitted to enter Malaysia.

1. The company / main principle is to obtain an Approval Letter for dependents /foreign maids from the Expatriate Committee (EC).

2. Application for entry permission for the dependents / foreign maid to be submitted by the company /main principal via email to pbf@imi.gov.my in order to obtain the decision of the DGIM.

The approval by the DGIM is SEVEN (7) working days from the date of the application submission.
All applications after seven (7) working days upon submission, will be considered as rejected.

3. Upon approval by the DGIM, the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) will issue an Entry Approval Letter for dependents /foreign maids to the company / main principal.
The company / main principal is responsible for sending and/or e-mailing the Entry Approval Letter to the dependents /foreign maids.

4. The dependents /foreign maids who have obtained the entry approval are REQUIRED to undergo PCR Covid-19 Test abroad within THREE (3) days and must be medically confirmed to be tested negative for Covid-19 prior to entering Malaysia.

5. Upon arrival in Malaysia, the dependents /foreign maids must present the Entry Approval Letter to the Immigration Officer at the entry point, together with their PCR Covid-19 result
It is COMPULSORY for the dependents /foreign maids to DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL the “MySejahtera” mobile application.

6. The dependents /foreign maids MUST undergo a FOURTEEN (14) day HOME QUARANTINE.
The dependents /foreign maids will be required to undergo a Covid-19 / Swab Test if instructed by the MOH.

V. Dependents /foreign maids with an EXPIRED PASS, who is currently stranded abroad.

In addition to the above, the dependents /foreign maids who is currently abroad with an expired pass are required to obtain a visa from the respective Malaysian Embassy/ Consulate General/ High Commission prior to entering Malaysia. A visa application is only applicable to nationalities that require a visa to enter Malaysia.

Notes:

a. Support Letter from Approving Agency and Regulatory Body must contain the following information:
i. Name of the company
ii. Nature of business
iii. Justifications on the need to enter the country
iv. Expatriate’s information (name, passport number, nationality, passport expiry date)
v. Position
vi. Current active pass (if applicable)
vii. Relevant supporting documents

b. Entry permission for the expatriate that can be approved by the DGIM are the positions that have been assessed by the respective Approving Agency /Regulatory Body and categorized under key posts and technical posts

Permitted Malaysia Entry Points:
a) Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
b) Immigration Checkpoint, Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI), Johor
c) Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (2 nd Link), Johor

Full Guideline from MYXpats Centre - https://esd.imi.gov.my/portal/pdf/Guideline_expatriate.pdf