Malaysia · Work
Malaysia Expert visit pass
First stay: 1 yr
Professional Visit Pass - Expert (technical experts, up to 12 months)
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Expert visit pass is a work route for Malaysia. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- First stay
- 1 yr
Time and long term
Where to applyWhere to apply
A Malaysian company or government agency applies online.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a job offer from an employer in Malaysia
- Work rights are limited
What you'll need
Who can apply3
- The pass has three categories: Technical Expert, Research, and practical or industrial training (internship).
- For Expert Transfer (Category 1) and Research (Category 2), the expert has an original employer abroad that continues to pay the salary.
- The expert may work on only one purpose, contract or project at a time.
Documents3
- Documents include the company application letter and the contract or award letter.
- A personal or security bond applies for all nationalities.
- Any regulator support letter is also included.
Steps3
- A Malaysian company or government agency applies online.
- The expert enters with a Visa With Reference or approval letter.
- Applications for Sabah and Sarawak are assessed by a committee named by the state.
What happens at day 182
How Malaysia decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
1 year at first
- Tax residence
- At least 182 days in a calendar yearResident for tax in Malaysia if present 182 days or more in the year; linked-year and 90-day tests also exist.
- At least 182 days in a basis year (calendar year)Presence in Malaysia of 182 days or more makes an individual resident; fewer than 182 days generally means non-resident.
- Foreign-source income
Foreign-source income exempt
Resident individuals are exempt from tax on foreign-source income received in Malaysia from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036, except income from partnership businesses.
- Special regime
Exemption for foreign-source income received by resident individuals · Tax relief
All tax rules for Malaysia Tax records checked
Full official text
Pass for foreign technical experts, researchers and trainees brought in by a Malaysian company or government agency for one project or contract, for a maximum of 12 months. 1
Requirements
- The pass has three categories: Technical Expert, Research, and practical or industrial training (internship). 1
- For Expert Transfer (Category 1) and Research (Category 2), the expert has an original employer abroad that continues to pay the salary. 1
- The expert may work on only one purpose, contract or project at a time. 1
- Documents include the company application letter and the contract or award letter. 1
- A personal or security bond applies for all nationalities. 1
- Any regulator support letter is also included. 1
- A Malaysian company or government agency applies online. 1
- The expert enters with a Visa With Reference or approval letter. 1
- Applications for Sabah and Sarawak are assessed by a committee named by the state. 1
Stay
- Maximum 12 months; the holder leaves when the programme or pass period ends unless an extension is granted.
- Initial permitted stay: 12 months.
Nationality
Open to all nationalities; a security bond applies.
Work
Employment for the named project and company only.
Family
No long-term pass for spouse, dependants or domestic helpers.
Official sources
- Professional Visitor Pass - Expert · Immigration Department of Malaysia · checked 2026-10-12
Expert visit pass and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expert visit pass | – | 1 yr | Limited |
| Employment Pass | Needs income from MYR 5,000 a month ≈ $1,220 | 10 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Professional Visit Pass | – | 1 yr | Limited |
| Temporary employment pass | – | – | Limited |
| LTR · Highly Skilled Thailand | Needs income of $80k+ a year | 5 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How long can I stay on the Expert visit pass?
Maximum 12 months; the holder leaves when the programme or pass period ends unless an extension is granted.
Can I work on the Expert visit pass?
Limited. Employment for the named project and company only.
Can I bring my family on the Expert visit pass?
No long-term pass for spouse, dependants or domestic helpers.
Is there a tax break for Expert visit pass holders in Malaysia?
Malaysia: exemption for foreign-source income received by resident individuals (1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036): Resident individuals are exempt from tax on foreign-source income received in Malaysia from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036, except income from partnership businesses. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Malaysia: exemption for foreign-source income received by resident individuals (1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036)
Tax relief
Details
Resident individuals are exempt from tax on foreign-source income received in Malaysia from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036, except income from partnership businesses. Income from work performed in Malaysia is taxed at normal resident rates.
Taxed on
Foreign-source income received in Malaysia by an individual tax resident; Malaysian-source income (including pay for work exercised in Malaysia) is taxed under normal resident rates.
Who it applies to
- The individual is a Malaysian tax resident for the basis year, normally present 182 days or more.
- The income arises outside Malaysia and is received in Malaysia by the individual.
- The income is not partnership business income.
Exclusions
- Income from work exercised in Malaysia is Malaysian-source whoever pays it and is taxed under the resident scale rates.
- Partnership business income is outside the individual exemption.
Days in the country
- At least 182 days in calendar year · Resident for tax in Malaysia if present 182 days or more in the year; linked-year and 90-day tests also exist.
Tax residence
Residence follows physical presence of 182 days or more in the basis year; linked-year and 90-day tests also exist.
Visas
No visa grants this exemption; it applies to any tax-resident individual. MM2H separately states a tax exemption on foreign funds and income.
Other taxes
Sales and service tax, employee contributions and withholding tax are separate.
Checked against official sources on Change log
More in Malaysia
Work visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 1 official source. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Professional Visitor Pass - Expert · Immigration Department of Malaysia · checked 2026-10-12
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.