JTKSM Licence C · No. 657 · Est. 2018
JTKSM Licence C · No. 657 · Est. 2018 · Act 446 & RBA Compliant

Foreign Worker Recruitment Agency in Malaysia

Agensi Pekerjaan Andaraya delivers licensed foreign worker recruitment in Malaysia as a JTKSM Licence C recruitment agency and foreign worker agent (Licence No. 657) — sourcing, screening, and placing foreign workers for Malaysian employers while managing KESUMA's FWCMS eQuota application, VDR (Calling Visa) clearance, FOMEMA medical checks, and PLKS work permit issuance and renewal under one licensed recruitment agency.

End-to-end foreign worker recruitment — from eQuota application to embassy documentation, Act 446 housing compliance, and RBA-aligned zero-cost hiring — so your HR team stays audit-ready without chasing five different foreign worker recruitment agencies in Malaysia.

8Years Recruiting
5,000Workers Placed
15Approved Source Countries
99%Compliance Rate
Why a Licensed Agency Matters

How do employers legally hire foreign workers in Malaysia?

To legally hire foreign workers, employers must partner with a licensed recruitment agency in Malaysia holding a valid JTKSM Licence C — such as Agensi Pekerjaan Andaraya (No. 657). This ensures adherence to the Employment Act 1955, KESUMA's FWCMS eQuota requirements, Act 446 housing rules, and international RBA/SMETA zero-fee standards.

Licensing

JTKSM Licence C — Act 246

The highest-tier authorisation under the Private Employment Agencies Act 1981, issued by JTKSM. Authorised to source, screen, and place foreign workers across all sectors in Peninsular Malaysia. See what JTKSM Licence C covers.

Documentation

Quota, Levy & Permits

Every placement is backed by a documented KESUMA FWCMS eQuota approval, correct levy payment via FWCMS, and a valid PLKS permit before the worker steps on site.

Ethics

Zero-Fee Recruitment

Strict zero-fee-to-worker policy aligned with ILO Convention No. 181 and the Employer Pays Principle — eliminating debt bondage risk in your supply chain.

Audit

RBA / SMETA Ready

Full recruitment audit trail — signed contracts, orientation records, fee disclosures, and grievance documentation — ready before your buyer asks.

For Corporate HR Teams

How to evaluate a foreign worker recruitment agency in Malaysia

Before appointing any foreign worker recruitment agency in Malaysia, HR and procurement teams should verify the following — it protects your company as much as it protects the workers.

1. Verify the JTKSM Licence

Confirm the agency's licence is current on the official JTKSM registry of private employment agencies — not just a claim on their website.

2. Confirm Zero-Fee Compliance

Ask for documented proof that recruitment costs are employer-funded, not deducted from worker wages, in line with RBA and ILO Convention 181.

3. Check eQuota & Compliance History

Ask how the agency manages KESUMA FWCMS eQuota submissions and whether they can show a compliance record free of blacklisting.

4. Review Housing & Welfare Standards

Confirm the agency manages JTKSM-certified, Act 446-compliant accommodation — not informal housing arrangements that create compliance risk for your company.

Our Services

Complete foreign worker recruitment & placement services

We manage the entire foreign worker lifecycle under one JTKSM-licensed agency — from KESUMA eQuota application through to legal repatriation at contract end.

01

Quota Application & Regulatory Liaison

Workforce ratio analysis against current sector limits, full document preparation, and end-to-end submission through KESUMA's FWCMS eQuota module — fully online since 6 July 2026, with the ministry confirming on 22 August 2026 that manual and walk-in submissions have been completely discontinued — including levy payment coordination and tracking. See our full eQuota application guide for the step-by-step process.

02

Source-Country Recruitment & Ethical Sourcing

Sourcing from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, India, Vietnam, and other government-approved source countries...

03

PLKS Work Permit & FOMEMA Medical Management

VDR (Visa Dengan Rujukan), also known as Calling Visa — processed electronically as eVDR through Immigration, mandatory FOMEMA medical screening, PLKS execution, and JTK-compliant employment contract drafting.

04

Post-Arrival: Accommodation, Transport & Welfare

Act 446 & JTKSM-certified Centralised Labour Quarters, GPS-tracked worker transportation, statutory payroll (EPF/SOCSO/EIS), and 24/7 multilingual support from your dedicated agent for foreign worker welfare.

05

RBA & SMETA Ethical Audit Support

Zero-recruitment-fee documentation, audit-ready payroll and levy records, and full alignment with the Responsible Business Alliance code of conduct.

06

Contract Management & Legal Repatriation

Annual PLKS renewal tracking initiated 90 days before expiry, absconded worker reporting, and legally compliant repatriation processing at contract end.

Employer Cost & Compliance Obligations

What quota approval requires you to pay — and what it doesn't

Beyond the eQuota approval itself, three financial obligations follow every successful application. Here's who pays what, and to whom.

Levy

Levy: Employer-Paid, Never Deducted

The annual foreign worker levy (RM1,850 for manufacturing/construction/services/mining, RM640 for plantation/agriculture) is an employer obligation. It must never be deducted from a worker's wages — doing so breaches both Malaysian labour law and the RBA Employer Pays Principle. See our full levy guide for payment timing and penalties.

Security Bond

Security Bond, Set by Nationality

Immigration requires a bank guarantee or cash security bond per worker before VDR issuance, refundable on lawful repatriation. The amount depends on the worker's nationality, not their sector — RM500 for Indonesia, RM1,500 for most other approved source countries. See our total cost guide for the full bond schedule by country.

Scope Check

Not the Employment Pass

The Employment Pass (Category I–III) is a separate framework for foreign professionals and managers, gated by a monthly basic-salary threshold and administered by the Expatriate Services Division. It has no bearing on source-country foreign worker recruitment: PLKS/VP(TE) placements under FWCMS eQuota are quota- and levy-driven, with no salary-floor test. If you also need to bring in foreign executives or technical specialists, that's an Employment Pass matter — ask us and we'll point you to the right process.

Accommodation

FOMEMA Address Verification

From 8 September 2026, FOMEMA registration for the mandatory medical exam cannot be completed until the worker's accommodation address is reviewed and confirmed in the portal. See our Act 446 guide for what this means for ongoing hostel compliance.

Industries We Serve

Sector-specific foreign worker placement

As a JTKSM Licence C agency, we recruit and place foreign workers across Malaysia's core economic sectors — every placement managed under full Act 446 housing compliance and eQuota requirements.

01

Manufacturing & Industrial

Production operators, line assemblers, and QC technicians for electronics, FMCG, plastics, and automotive component manufacturers across Selangor and Penang's industrial corridors.

02

Construction Recruitment

Skilled and general labour for infrastructure, IBS, and civil engineering projects, with CIDB registration and OSHA safety documentation — including current G4-and-above contractor eligibility under eQuota.

03

Agriculture & Plantation

Field workers, harvesters, and equipment handlers for palm oil and mixed crop sectors, sourced under current sector quota guidelines.

04

Logistics & Warehousing

Workforce supply for 3PL warehouses, cold chain distribution, and e-commerce fulfilment hubs — housed in Act 446 certified hostels.

Locations We Serve

Foreign worker agency coverage across Malaysia

We support employers nationwide, with the deepest coverage in these regions.

Selangor & Klang Valley

As a trusted foreign worker agency in Selangor, we support manufacturers, logistics operators, and industrial parks across the Klang Valley with sourcing, PLKS renewal, and Act 446-compliant hostel coordination.

Kuala Lumpur

We provide reliable foreign worker recruitment in Kuala Lumpur for corporate, hospitality, and services-sector employers, with fully compliant recruitment and ongoing statutory support.

Penang

As a foreign worker agency covering Penang's industrial belt, we support semiconductor, electrical & electronics, and precision manufacturing employers with sourcing and PLKS compliance.

Johor Bahru & Johor

Dependable foreign worker recruitment in JB and across Johor — serving manufacturing, electronics, and petrochemical employers in Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang, and the wider Iskandar Malaysia corridor, plus cross-border logistics and warehousing operators at Port of Tanjung Pelepas and the Singapore trade corridor.

Our Recruitment Process

How we recruit & place foreign workers in Malaysia

Coordinating across KESUMA, Immigration, source-country embassies, and FOMEMA — so you receive a work-ready workforce without administrative burden.

1. Workforce Ratio Analysis & eQuota Application

Audit of local-to-foreign headcount ratio against current sector limits, then complete quota application via KESUMA's FWCMS eQuota module with all supporting documents. Previously coordinated through KDN's manual process before the 6 July 2026 shift to FWCMS eQuota.

2. Ethical Source-Country Recruitment

Pre-departure interviews and skills assessments through accredited overseas partners. All costs employer-funded — zero placement fees for workers.

3. VDR, FOMEMA & Embassy Documentation

VDR (Visa Dengan Rujukan / Calling Visa) processing, mandatory FOMEMA screenings, and labour contract attestation at source-country embassies.

4. Airport Reception, Act 446 Onboarding & PLKS Issuance

Airport reception, transport to certified CLQs, workplace safety & cultural orientation, and first-year PLKS issuance in parallel.

5. Annual Renewal, RBA Audit & Ongoing Compliance

Annual PLKS renewals, FOMEMA re-screenings, FWCMS status updates, and continuous RBA/SMETA audit documentation.

Client Feedback

Trusted by Malaysian employers across every sector

★★★★★

"We needed over 200 foreign workers placed during a plant expansion on a compressed timeline. Andaraya handled the entire eQuota application, VDR processing, and FOMEMA scheduling without a single delay."

SC
Sarah ChenPlant Director · Automotive Parts Manufacturer, Selangor
★★★★★

"Passing our annual RBA audit is non-negotiable for our international supply contracts. Andaraya's zero-recruitment-fee documentation and Act 446 hostel management gave our auditors a clean paper trail."

AR
Ahmad RahmanHR Director · Semiconductor Manufacturer, Penang
★★★★★

"Zero-cost recruitment helped us pass SMETA audits with fully documented, debt-free workers — renewed our agency partnership every year since."

MF
Md FazliHR Manager · Glove Manufacturing, Klang
FAQ

Foreign worker recruitment agency FAQ

Essential information regarding licensing, quotas, source countries, Act 446, and compliance.

Is Agensi Pekerjaan Andaraya a licensed recruitment agency? Licence & Legal
Yes. Andaraya holds JTKSM Licence C (Licence No. 657), the highest-tier licence issued under the Private Employment Agencies Act 1981 (Act 246), authorising local and foreign worker recruitment and placement in Peninsular Malaysia. You can verify any agency's licence status directly on the official JTKSM registry.
How do I apply for a foreign worker quota in Malaysia? Quota & eQuota
Quota applications are submitted through KESUMA's FWCMS eQuota portal, the single digital platform KESUMA has managed directly since 6 July 2026 — replacing the previous manual, case-by-case process. Employers must first advertise the role on MYFutureJobs and secure Section 60K approval. We handle the full submission on your behalf — see our step-by-step eQuota application guide for details.
Is Act 446 accommodation certification mandatory? Housing
Yes. Under the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446), all employers must provide JTKSM-certified accommodation for foreign workers. We provide turnkey Act 446 hostel management and Centralised Labour Quarters.
How does Andaraya support RBA and SMETA audits? Audit & Compliance
We enforce a strict zero-recruitment-fee policy and maintain full documentation at every hiring stage, including contracts, FOMEMA records, and source-country attestations — protecting employers' standing with global supply chain audits. See our full RBA & SMETA compliance guide for the complete framework.
How long does foreign worker recruitment take? Process & Timeline
Typical timeline from quota approval to worker arrival is 3 to 6 months, depending on source country and processing speed: eQuota application → approval → source-country selection → FOMEMA → VDR (Calling Visa) processing → mobilisation → Act 446 onboarding → PLKS issuance.
Which countries can employers hire foreign workers from? Quota & Source Countries
Malaysia currently approves recruitment from around 15 source countries, including Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, and Pakistan, subject to sector eligibility and prevailing government policy — some countries are restricted to specific sectors (India, for example, is limited to selected roles). As your licensed foreign worker agent, we confirm current eligibility before every application.
Does Andaraya provide construction recruitment services? Sectors
Yes. We recruit skilled and general construction labour, including for contractors classified G4-and-above under current eQuota rules, with full CIDB registration and OSHA safety documentation support.
Are there job roles foreign workers are not allowed to do? Eligibility
Yes. Front-line, customer-facing roles — cashiers and sales assistants, for example — are restricted to Malaysian citizens under current policy, even within an approved services-sector quota. Eligible roles within services are typically back-of-house: kitchen staff, cleaning, laundry, housekeeping, and warehouse support. We confirm role eligibility against current sub-sector rules as part of every quota application.
Which locations in Malaysia does Andaraya serve? Coverage
We serve employers across Peninsular Malaysia as a foreign worker agency with dedicated coverage in Selangor, the Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru. Employers with operations in Sabah should speak with our team directly, as Sabah operates under a separate labour and immigration framework from Peninsular Malaysia.
What is the age limit for foreign workers in Malaysia, and are there exceptions? Eligibility
The standard band is 18–45 at the point of a new application, applied alongside source-country and Section 60K local-hiring checks. There's no single published, government-wide table of age exceptions by sector — renewal-stage age treatment in particular isn't standardised in public JTKSM guidance, so a worker already inside the system approaching or past 45 isn't automatically barred from a PLKS renewal the way a new applicant over 45 would be from a first application. We confirm current age eligibility, including any renewal-specific treatment, directly with JTKSM as part of every quota application rather than relying on a general rule.
What is the local-to-foreign worker ratio allowed in Malaysia? Quota & Ratio
Malaysia's overall foreign worker presence rate is currently under active policy review — capped nationally in the mid-teens as a percentage of the workforce, with the 13th Malaysia Plan targeting a lower ceiling in the years ahead. The permitted ratio also varies by sector and is subject to change, so we conduct a current workforce ratio analysis before any quota application rather than relying on a fixed figure.
What is FOMEMA and is it required for all foreign workers? Process & Timeline
FOMEMA is the mandatory medical screening programme for all foreign workers entering Malaysia. Workers must pass a FOMEMA health examination before their PLKS work permit is issued or renewed.
What is a JTKSM Licence C agency and why does it matter? Licence & Legal
The highest-grade recruitment licence issued by JTKSM, authorising recruitment and placement of local and foreign workers from all government-approved source countries — protecting employers from liability under the Employment Act 1955.
Related Resources

Compliance & Workforce Guides

Act 446 Housing Compliance

Centralised living quarters (CLQ) audits, layout documentation, and fast-tracked JTKSM hostel certifications.

Learn more

Foreign Worker eQuota Guide

Step‑by‑step guidance through the FWCMS eQuota portal interface, KESUMA processing, and 2026 sector cap allocations.

Learn more

RBA & SMETA Audit Compliance

Pre-audit gap analyses, transparent supply chain mapping, and corrective action planning for social responsibility codes.

Learn more

JTKSM Licence C Framework

Explainer on Private Employment Agency (APS) Licence C conditions, mandatory financial bonds, and statutory criteria.

Learn more

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