ESD / XPATNOVA Employment Pass & PVP Application Support
Hiring foreign professionals in Malaysia can involve several systems, approving agencies and immigration requirements. Excellent HR Group assists employers with ESD-related company preparation, Xpats Gateway requirements, Employment Pass applications, Professional Visit Pass applications and, where applicable, the XPATNOVA process for companies in Iskandar Malaysia.
Understanding the Application Route
ESD, Xpats Gateway & XPATNOVA
Expatriate Services Division - ESD
ESD is part of the Immigration Department of Malaysia and provides the platform through which eligible companies handle expatriate-related immigration matters. Companies generally need the appropriate company registration and approval before they can submit expatriate pass applications.
Xpats Gateway
Xpats Gateway is an integrated platform used for several prerequisites and supporting-agency processes relating to expatriate applications. Depending on the application, this can include JTKSM prior approval, MYFutureJobs acknowledgement and support letters from relevant approving or regulatory agencies.
XPATNOVA
XPATNOVA is relevant to eligible companies located within the Iskandar Malaysia region. Companies operating within the applicable Iskandar Malaysia area may need to register and use the IRDA / XPATNOVA process for the relevant expatriate applications.
Our Services
ESD Company Registration Preparation
Assist companies in understanding and preparing documentation for ESD registration where required.
Xpats Gateway Support
Assist employers with the applicable prerequisites and supporting processes.
Employment Pass Application
Prepare and coordinate applications for eligible expatriates taking employment with a Malaysian organisation.
Professional Visit Pass Application
Support applications for eligible foreign professionals providing temporary professional services or training in Malaysia on behalf of an overseas organisation.
XPATNOVA / IRDA Application Support
Assist eligible Iskandar Malaysia companies with applicable XPATNOVA-related processes.
Supporting Documentation
Help employers and expatriates organise the documentation required for the applicable application.
Employment Pass
Employment Pass for Expatriates Working in Malaysia
The Employment Pass allows an eligible expatriate to take up employment with the Malaysian organisation stated in the approved pass. Effective 1 June 2026, Malaysia introduced revised Employment Pass salary categories:
Category I
RM20,000 and above per month.
Employment duration may be approved up to the applicable maximum under the current policy.
Category II
RM10,000 - RM19,999 per month.
Subject to applicable requirements, including current succession-planning policies.
Category III
RM5,000 - RM9,999 per month.
Subject to applicable requirements and current employment-duration conditions.
Eligibility is not determined by salary alone. Position, company eligibility, qualifications, approving authority and other requirements may also apply.
Professional Visit Pass
PVP for Temporary Professional Services in Malaysia
A Professional Visit Pass is intended for eligible foreign professionals with acceptable skills or qualifications who enter Malaysia temporarily to provide professional services or undergo practical training on behalf of an overseas company. The PVP may be issued for a period of up to 12 months, subject to approval and the applicable category. A PVP holder may only perform the approved activities for the organisation stated in the pass.
Application Approach
How We Assist Employers
Company Assessment
Review company background, location and expatriate requirement.
Determine Application Route
Identify whether the application should proceed through ESD, Xpats Gateway, an approving agency or the applicable XPATNOVA process.
Document Preparation
Coordinate company and expatriate documentation.
Application Submission
Assist with the applicable online submission process.
Follow-Up
Monitor application status and coordinate requests for further information.
Approval & Endorsement
Assist with the next steps following approval, where included in the agreed service scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Expatriate Services Division is part of the Immigration Department of Malaysia. It facilitates company registration and expatriate-related immigration applications, including Employment Passes and related passes.
For companies using the ESD/MYXpats route, company registration and approval is generally required before expatriate pass applications can be submitted. The exact route may vary depending on the company’s sector, approving authority and location.
Xpats Gateway is an integrated government platform supporting parts of the expatriate application process. It can be used for requirements such as JTKSM Section 60K approval, MYFutureJobs acknowledgement and support letters from approving or regulatory agencies.
No. XPATNOVA is particularly relevant to eligible companies located within the Iskandar Malaysia region. Companies outside the applicable region generally follow their relevant ESD and approving-agency processes instead.
An Employment Pass is for an eligible expatriate employed by a Malaysian organisation. A Professional Visit Pass is generally for a foreign professional temporarily providing services or undergoing eligible practical training in Malaysia on behalf of an overseas organisation.
For applications submitted on or after 1 June 2026, the revised minimum salary ranges are RM20,000 and above for Category I, RM10,000-RM19,999 for Category II, and RM5,000-RM9,999 for Category III. Other eligibility conditions also apply.
Many new private-sector EP applications require the applicable JTKSM prior approval and MYFutureJobs acknowledgement process, although exemptions can apply to certain positions or application types. The correct requirement should be checked for each case.
The approved duration depends on the Employment Pass category, employment contract, relevant approving authority and current policy. The revised 2026 policy permits longer maximum durations for certain categories, but the actual pass period remains subject to approval.
A Professional Visit Pass may be issued for up to 12 months per issuance, depending on the approved professional activity and Immigration decision.
No. Approval is decided by Immigration and the relevant approving or regulatory authorities. Excellent HR Group assists employers with application preparation and coordination but cannot guarantee government approval.
Hiring an Expatriate or Foreign Professional?
Let us review your company, location, proposed position and application requirements.
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