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Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia composed of two main regions: Peninsular Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. It’s a federal constitutional monarchy with a diverse culture and economy. Malaysia is renowned for its diverse culture, vibrant cities, and stunning natural beauty. Malaysia is generally considered a good place for both work and settling down, particularly for those seeking a diverse and multicultural environment with a high quality of life at a lower cost than some developed nations.
Malaysia recorded over 25 million international tourist arrivals, though this fell short of its target of 27.3 million. This figure represents a 24.2% increase from 20,141,846 international tourist arrivals in 2023. Malaysia’s top tourist sources in 2024 were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, and Brunei.
| Unrestricted Residency: PR holders can live in Malaysia indefinitely without needing to renew visas or permits frequently. |
| Freedom to Work and Start Businesses: They can work and change jobs without needing an employment permit and can start their own businesses. |
| Property Ownership: PR holders can purchase property in Malaysia with fewer limitations than non-residents. |
| Access to Healthcare and Education: They can access public healthcare and education facilities, including schools, colleges, and universities. |
Freedom to Travel: PR holders can enter and exit Malaysia freely without needing a visa. |
| No Political Involvement: PR holders cannot vote in elections or participate in political activities. |
| Restrictions on Certain Business Ventures: They may face limitations on starting certain types of businesses and applying for government contracts. |
| Limited Access to Certain Rights: PR holders do not enjoy the same rights as Malaysian citizens in areas like holding public office or owning agricultural land. |
| Subject to Foreigner Terms for Property Purchase: While they can purchase property, they may be subject to certain regulations and limitations applicable to foreigners. |
First, you’ll need to obtain a recommendation from a local Malaysian agency. Below is a list of relevant agencies in Malaysia that issue recommendations for permanent residency.
Agencies | Field Of Expertise |
1) Ministry Of Health | Health and medical |
2) Ministry Of International Trade And Industries (MITI)/Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) | Industrial, services and manufacturing |
3) Ministry Of Agriculture And Agro-based Industry | Agriculture and agro-based |
4) Ministry Of Transport | Maritime, air and land transportation |
5) Ministry Of Higher Learning | Higher learning |
6) Ministry Of Science, Technology And Innovation | Science, technology, and ICT |
7) Ministry Of Information, Communication And Culture | Information, communication, culture, and arts |
8) Ministry Of Youth And Sports/Malaysian Sports Council | Sports |
9) Central Bank | Banking and finance |
10) Securities Commission | Investment and capital |
1. Continuous and Legal Residence
2. Financial Stability
3. Professional Qualifications
4. Good Character
5. Language Proficiency
6. Supporting Documents:
If you intend to apply for Malaysia PR under the Professional or Expert categories, you must get a recommendation by one of the following agencies related to your field of expertise:
Long-Term Stay and Mobility:
1. Indefinite Residency: PR allows you to reside in Malaysia without the need to renew visas or permits frequently.
2. Free Movement: You can travel to and from Malaysia without needing a visa.
Employment and Business:
1. Unrestricted Employment: PR holders can work and change jobs without the need for a work permit or Employment Pass.
2. Business Opportunities: You can start and operate your own business.
3. Property Ownership: You can purchase property in Malaysia, though subject to certain regulations.
Healthcare and Education:
1. Subsidized Healthcare: You can access public healthcare facilities at subsidized rates.
2. Educational Benefits: Your children can enroll in educational institutions at local student rates.
3. Golden Visa:
4. Employment and Dependent Passes:
These are for working in Malaysia or supporting family members who are already there.
Work in Malaysia can be considered good, offering diverse opportunities, a growing economy, and a high standard of living at a relatively low cost. Many find it attractive due to the country’s multicultural society, government support for attracting foreign talent, and its strategic location in Southeast Asia.
jobs in Malaysia can be good, particularly in fields like technology, finance, healthcare, and tourism. The country offers a diverse job market with opportunities for both locals and expats. Additionally, Malaysia has a relatively low cost of living, and English is widely spoken, making it an attractive location for those seeking work.
Malaysia’s key industries include:
1. IT and Technology:
2. Engineering
3. Banking and Finance
4. Marketing and Communications
5. Human Resources and Management
1. Finance
2. IT
3. Healthcare
4. Tourism
5. Manufacturing
6. Construction
7. Semiconductor Industry
As with all economically healthy countries, some jobs are in high demand in Malaysia. Here are the best expat jobs in Malaysia.
The tech industry is expanding rapidly throughout Asia, and companies need data scientists that can analyze statistics. Programmers are also required in just about every industry, as are AI experts and software engineers.
Malaysia is home to a booming real estate market, resulting in a strong need for architects and structural engineers. If you have design skills and surveying expertise, you can find work as a site supervisor, a senior project manager, or a project engineer.
From actuarial science to financial technology, you’ll find a wide variety of jobs in Malaysia if you have experience in the financial industry. As salaries rise and the standard of living increases, there is a growing need for tax accountants and auditors.
Social media is a massive part of most Malaysian’s lives. According to Hootsuite and We Are Social, Malaysia ranks 5th in terms of social media penetration. That means companies in all sectors are looking for social media managers to build their brand presence.
This doesn’t mean just sending out witty tweets or making weekly Facebook posts. You’ll need to know how to develop content, maintain a strategic content calendar, and know how to use analytical tools.
Malaysia is a growing tourist destination, and companies are hiring professionals with hospitality and service industry experience to meet the demand. In addition to careers in hotels, restaurants, and resorts, the spa industry is also thriving. With the right expertise, you can find work as a professional spa therapist.
The tourism sector features some of the best expat jobs in Malaysia, especially if you speak English because visitors love to speak in their native tongue.
Native English speakers can almost always find work teaching English as a second language in Asia. To make things even better, many teaching jobs are no online thanks to Malaysia’s love for technology.
1. Black toppers
2. Engineers for agricultural machinery
4. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for power engineering technology
5. Graduates in power engineering
6. Pavers
7. Special(ist) power engineers
8. Concrete fitters
9. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for data processing
10. Carpenters
11. Special fitters
12. Graduate engineers for data processing
13. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineers) for mechanical engineering
14. Construction joiners
15. Physicians
16. Floor and wall tilers
17. Building plumbers
18. Graduate nurses
19. Pipe installers, pipe fitters
20. Graduates in weak-current and telecommunications engineering
21. Electrical installers, electrical fitters
22. Welders, cutting torch operators
23. Cost accountants
24. Metal turners
25. Graduate mechanical engineers
26. Milling machinists
27. Ophthalmic opticians
28. Special graduate engineers
29. Technicians with a higher education (engineer) for civil engineering
30. Special floor layers
31. Construction and furniture joiners
32. Special fitters
33. Bricklayers
34. Other civil engineering specialists
35. Specialist technicians for mechanical engineering
36. Payroll accountants
37. Wood machine workers
38. Graduate engineers – special professions
39. Varnishers
40. Motor vehicle mechanic
41. Glaziers
42. Train conductors, stokers
43. Building fitters, sheet metal fitters, construction fitters
44. Engineers/technicians for rough mechanicals
45. Special technicians for low voltage engineering and communication engineering
46. Other technicians for fuel and gas technology
47. Restaurant chefs
48. Painters, house painters
49. Stove fitters, potters, stove makers
50. Technicians with a higher level of training (engineer) for technical chemistry, chemical engineers
51. Plastic processors
52. Special technicians in business administration
53. Special technicians for civil engineering
54. Toolmakers, cutters and punchmakers
55. Dealers and sales clerks for iron and metal goods, domestic and kitchen appliances
A Malaysia work visa is a permit that allows foreign nationals to work in Malaysia for a specified period. It’s a crucial document for legal employment and comes in various types depending on the nature of work and duration of stay. The most common type is the Employment Pass (EP), followed by Temporary Employment Passes and Professional Visit Passes.
1. Employment Pass (EP):
2. Temporary Employment Pass (TEP):
3. Professional Visit Pass (PVP):
4. Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T):
Malaysia Employment Pass holders can bring their family members with them. They can do so by applying for a Dependent Pass for their spouse and dependent children under 21. Long-term social visit passes may also be obtained for other family members, such as parents and unmarried children over 18, according to AirSwift.
