Sarawak Employment Pass
- Roger Pay
- Aug 12
- 7 min read
Sarawak Employment Pass Guide
The Sarawak Employment Pass is a work permit for non-Sarawakians, including foreigners and other Malaysian citizens, who wish to be employed in Sarawak. The pass is sponsored by a local company and its issuance is at the discretion of the Sarawak Immigration Department.
Types of Employment Passes
There are a few categories of Employment Passes (EP) in Sarawak, primarily differentiated by the applicant's salary and job scope.
Employment Pass 1 (EP1): For applicants with a basic monthly salary of at least RM5,000. This pass is typically for managerial and professional positions.
Employment Pass 2 (EP2): For applicants with a basic monthly salary between RM3,500 and RM4,999.
Professional Visit Pass: This is a non-renewable work visa for short-term projects lasting between 6 to 12 months.
Eligibility and Requirements
Both the employer and the employee must meet specific criteria to be eligible for a Sarawak Employment Pass.
Employer Requirements:
The company must be registered with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) and meet a minimum paid-up capital requirement, which varies based on the company's equity (e.g., 100% foreign-owned companies need a higher paid-up capital).
For certain industries, the company may need to obtain approval for the expatriate position from a relevant government agency, such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
Employee Requirements:
Age: Applicants for EP1 and EP2 must be at least 27 years old. There is an exception for the Spouse Programme Employment Pass, which has no minimum age requirement.
Qualifications and Experience: Applicants need to possess academic qualifications and relevant work experience. For example, a degree with at least 3 years of experience, a diploma with 5 years, or a technical certificate with 7 years of experience.
Medical Screening: Applicants are required to undergo a medical examination and be certified fit to work by a registered health center.
Passport Validity: The passport must have a minimum validity of 18 months.
Application Process
The application for a Sarawak Employment Pass is a multi-phase process that is initiated by the sponsoring company.
Company Registration: The company must first register with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) if they haven't already.
Expatriate Post Approval: Depending on the industry, the company may need to get approval for the expatriate position from a relevant government body.
Employment Pass Application: The company submits the EP application for the expatriate through the ESD online portal. This involves providing detailed information about the employee and the job role.
Submission and Processing: All required documents from both the company and the employee are submitted online. The processing time can vary, but it's advisable to apply well in advance of the intended start date.
Pass Issuance: Once approved, the pass will be issued by the Sarawak Immigration Department.
Duration and Dependents
Duration: The duration of an Employment Pass can be up to 5 years, depending on the contract, and is renewable.
Dependents: Holders of Employment Pass 1 can apply for a Dependant Pass for their spouse and children, and may also be eligible to hire a foreign domestic helper. Employment Pass 2 holders are generally not allowed to bring their dependents.
Fees
Fees associated with a Sarawak Employment Pass can be complex as they involve several components, including application fees, immigration fees, and other miscellaneous charges. The total cost can also depend on factors such as the type of pass, the duration, and the applicant's nationality.
Here's a breakdown of the typical fees you can expect.
Application and Immigration Fees
The main costs are split between the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) and the Immigration Department.
ESD Application Fee: This is a processing fee for submitting the application. For a standard Employment Pass, the fee is a few hundred Ringgit.
Immigration Endorsement Fee: This fee is for the endorsement of the pass in the passport. It is a recurring fee that depends on the duration of the pass, typically charged per year. For example, a fee of USD 48 (RM200) per year for an Employment Pass.
Processing Fee: A separate processing fee may be charged by the Immigration Department for each application.
Other Potential Costs
In addition to the core application and immigration fees, there are other costs that the employer or employee may need to cover:
Visa: Depending on the applicant's nationality, a Visa with Reference (VDR) may be required, which comes with its own fee.
Medical Screening: All applicants are required to undergo a medical examination. The cost of this screening, which can include various tests, will be borne by the applicant or their employer.
Security Bond: In some cases, a security bond may be required. This is a refundable deposit that varies based on the applicant's nationality.
Dependent Passes: If an Employment Pass holder wishes to bring their dependents (spouse and children), a separate Dependant Pass application is required for each family member, each with its own set of fees.
It is crucial to note that recent changes to the system, such as the introduction of the "Foreign Workers Transformation Approach" (FWTA) in Sarawak, have led to a revised fee structure. This may include new charges for Approval in Principle, Labour Licence, and a Foreign Worker Identity Card.
Professional Fees
Please note that the professional fees for Bestar can vary significantly based on a number of factors, including the complexity of the application, and the specific services required.
Professional Fee Structure for a Sarawak Employment Pass:
Basic Package (Administrative Support) This package is for companies or individuals who have a good understanding of the application process but need assistance with the administrative aspects.
Services Included:
Review of documentation for completeness and accuracy.
Submission of the application through the relevant online portals (e.g., Expatriate Services Division - ESD, Sarawak Immigration Department).
Basic follow-up with government agencies on the application status.
Scheduling appointments for the applicant (e.g., medical check-up, immigration endorsement).
Fee: USD 710 - USD 1,420 (RM 3,000 - RM 6,000) per application.
Standard Package (Full-Service Application Management) This is the most common package, suitable for companies that want an end-to-end service to ensure a smooth process.
Services Included:
Initial consultation to assess eligibility and strategize the application.
Detailed checklist of required documents for both the company and the applicant.
Drafting of supporting letters, justification letters, and other necessary correspondence.
Coordination with the company and the applicant to gather all required documents.
Full management of the online application submission and payment of government fees.
Handling all communication and queries from government authorities.
Assistance with the expatriate post approval process if required.
Guidance on the new Foreign Workers Transformation Approach (FWTA) system, including associated fees like the Approval in Principle and Foreign Worker Identity Card.
Fee: USD 1,420 - USD 2,840 (RM 6,000 - RM 12,000) per application.
Premium/Complex Case Package This package is for applications with specific challenges, such as those involving a new company, a new industry, or a high number of dependents.
Services Included:
All services in the Standard Package.
Handling of appeals or re-submissions in case of rejection.
Professional advice on complex immigration issues.
In-depth consultation on structuring the employment contract and company setup to meet immigration requirements.
Management of dependent pass applications.
Expedited processing and personalized support where possible.
Fee: USD 2,840 and above (RM 12,000 and above), depending on the complexity.
Important Considerations When Proposing Professional Fees:
Government Fees: The professional fees do not include government charges. The client will be responsible for all mandatory fees, which can include the ESD application fee USD 190 - USD 480 (RM 800 - RM 2,000), subject to recent changes, immigration endorsement fee (around USD 48 (RM 200) per year), and the new charges under the FWTA system (e.g., USD 440 (RM 1,854) per worker).
Dependents: The fees for dependent passes are charged separately. A standard fee for a Dependant Pass application is around USD 110 - USD 120 (RM 450 - RM 500), but Bestar will charge our own fee for processing it.
Ancillary Services: Additional services like visa with reference, medical check-up coordination, or arranging for a foreign domestic helper will be charged separately.
Project-Based Fees: For companies with multiple applicants or a large project, Bestar may offer a project-based fee or a discounted rate per application.
How Bestar can Help
Hiring Bestar to handle the Sarawak Employment Pass application can significantly streamline a complex and often confusing process. Our expertise is particularly valuable given the specific and sometimes unique regulations of the Sarawak Immigration Department, which can differ from those in Peninsular Malaysia.
Here's how Bestar can help:
1. Expertise in Regulations and Policies
Navigating Complex Rules: Immigration policies, especially in Sarawak, are subject to frequent changes and have specific nuances. Bestar is up-to-date on the latest requirements, including salary thresholds, minimum age for applicants, and paid-up capital requirements for sponsoring companies.
Compliance: We ensure that all application materials comply with the strict guidelines of the Sarawak Immigration Department. This helps to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to delays or outright rejection.
Understanding New Systems: With the introduction of new digital platforms like the Foreign Workers Transformation Approach (FWTA), Bestar is already familiar with the new processes and fees, ensuring a seamless transition for the client.
2. Streamlining the Application Process
Document Management: We provide a comprehensive checklist of all necessary documents, from academic certificates and work experience letters to company registration details. This prevents the common problem of incomplete submissions.
Accurate Submission: Bestar ensures that all forms are filled out correctly and that supporting documents are properly formatted and submitted through the correct online portals.
Liaison with Authorities: We act as a single point of contact between the company/applicant and the various government agencies involved, such as the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) and the Sarawak Immigration Department. This can be particularly helpful for companies not based in Sarawak.
3. Time and Resource Efficiency
Saving Time: By handling the entire process, including preparing documents, submitting applications, and following up, Bestar saves valuable time for the company's HR department and the individual applicant.
Reducing Delays: Our experience and knowledge of the system can significantly reduce processing times by ensuring the application is correct from the start, thus avoiding requests for additional information or resubmissions.
4. Problem-Solving and Contingency Planning
Handling Complex Cases: We are equipped to handle more complex scenarios, such as applications for new companies, cases with a new industry, or situations where an applicant has a previous immigration history.
Managing Appeals: In the unfortunate event of a rejection, Bestar can manage the appeal process, providing a structured and well-argued case to the authorities, which can increase the chances of a successful outcome.
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