Relocation plan: Malaysia

Do you need a visa?

Yes, for every nationality. Working in Malaysia needs a work permit requested with the employer, usually before you start:

The employer, registered with the immigration department's Expatriate Services Division (or with MDEC for digital technology companies), applies for your Employment Pass.
Each Employment Pass category has a minimum monthly salary; the amounts were revised in June 2026, so check them with the employer.
Once approved, you receive the visa to enter and the pass is endorsed in your passport.

Passport, valid for the whole move; the visa is issued in the passport.
Birth certificate (and marriage certificate, if married). Usually with an apostille (or legalisation) and a certified translation; check with the embassy.
Criminal record certificate from your country of nationality and, if different, from where you lived recently: visa applications often require it. Request it close to the date it will be used.
Degree, transcript and references from previous jobs, digitally, with certified translations if the visa asks for them.

Work permit or pass and your residence card, collected with the employer.
Tax number for your salary: the employer usually registers you.
Health insurance: often private and provided by the employer; check what the offer covers.
Bank account, usually opened with your work permit or residence card.

Confirm in writing the salary (in local currency or in dollars), the start date, who pays the permit fees and the relocation support.
Have your degree and documents legalised and translated if the employer asks for them.
Wait for the work permit approval before you travel to work.
In your country, tell the authorities you are moving: update your registered address and your tax residence. In the year you leave, tax may be due for the part of the year you were still resident.

Open a bank account and give the details to your employer.
Check the tax withheld on your first payslip and how the yearly tax return works.