Streamline your foreign worker recruitment with a licensed recruitment agency in Malaysia. We manage the entire hiring process — from KDN quota approval and MOHR documentation to Immigration clearance and FOMEMA medical screening — ensuring full legal compliance and a seamless onboarding experience.
Employing foreign workers in Malaysia requires adherence to up-to-date statutory and administrative regulations from MOHR, KDN, and the Immigration Department. Our structured recruitment framework empowers HR teams and employers to stay compliant, manage quota applications, and streamline worker onboarding with minimal risk.
For official compliance and amendments, always refer to the Department of Labour (JTKSM) and official KDN/Immigration Department portals for the latest circulars and requirements. Our team monitors all regulatory updates and keeps your compliance framework current.
Act now — limited quota allocation available across all approved sectors. Don't miss this window.
Step-by-step legal framework for Malaysian employers — covering eligibility, quota applications, medical screening, permit issuance, and ongoing renewals in compliance with MOHR, KDN, and Immigration Department guidelines.
Confirm your company's industry and job positions comply with the latest MOHR and Immigration Department Malaysia approved sectors. Only authorised sectors can hire foreign workers in 2026.
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Important: Foreign workers cannot marry Malaysians or other foreigners under VP(TE) terms and are strictly limited to approved roles only.
All employers must obtain Section 60K approval via ePPAx 2.0 and apply for quota allocation through the One-Stop Centre (OSC). These are mandatory before any recruitment or visa submission. Applications may be submitted during the special quota window (19 Jan – 31 Mar 2026) to request additional quota.
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Employment Duration: Up to 10 years + 3 years extension (total 13 years) in approved sectors. Duration counted from first entry date.
Appoint a KDN-licensed agency registered under JTKSM to manage documentation, sourcing, and full compliance under bilateral recruitment agreements. Only licensed agencies are permitted post-2025 — direct recruitment from overseas is not allowed.
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Approved overseas partners handle candidate sourcing, biometric verification, pre-departure medicals, and employment briefings as required by the source country and Malaysian labour policies.
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Source Country Restrictions Apply: Indonesia — male workers not permitted in manufacturing. India — limited to restaurant cooks, high-tension construction, agriculture, and plantation only. Philippines — female workers not permitted.
Apply for Visa with Reference (VDR) through the Immigration Department and pay the government levy online via FWCMS/eServices. Ensure all 2026 levy rates are correctly applied per sector.
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2026 Levy Update: Annual levy must be paid in full before VDR issuance — strict enforcement under the latest Immigration directive. Special quota applications during Jan–Mar 2026 window are eligible for expedited processing.
Upon arrival, complete Immigration clearance, report online within 24 hours, and schedule FOMEMA medical examination within 30 days. PLKS work permits are issued after medical clearance — employment without valid PLKS is strictly prohibited.
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Critical Deadline: FOMEMA medical must be completed within 30 days — no extensions are permitted. Failure triggers automatic repatriation proceedings.
Maintain active compliance throughout employment — including timely permit renewals, welfare monitoring, payroll records, and proper exit procedures upon termination, completion, or repatriation.
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Employer Obligation: Maintain Act 446-compliant housing, pay wages and levies on time, keep valid SPIKPA/FWCS insurance, and ensure EPF/SOCSO contributions are submitted monthly.
Missing any of these deadlines can result in permit lapses, repatriation orders, employer blacklisting, or fines of up to RM50,000 per worker.
KDN's special application window for additional 2025 foreign worker quota across all approved sectors. Applications outside this window are processed under standard quota rules.
Must be completed within 30 days of arrival at an approved FOMEMA clinic. No extensions permitted. Non-compliance triggers automatic repatriation proceedings.
Apply immediately after FOMEMA medical clearance. Employment without a valid PLKS is strictly prohibited and carries severe penalties.
Complete online arrival confirmation within 24 hours via the Immigration Department portal. Late reporting is a compliance violation.
Submit renewal application 90 days before PLKS expiry to avoid levy penalties, permit lapses, or restrictions on extensions.
File immediately upon termination, transfer, repatriation, or medical rejection. Delays in COM submission constitute non-compliance under Immigration regulations.
Maintaining complete, audit-ready documentation at every stage is critical to passing MOHR, KDN, and RBA inspections. Incomplete documents are the single most common cause of recruitment delays.
Use this checklist to verify your readiness before and during the foreign worker recruitment process. Every item represents a mandatory compliance requirement.
Always verify the latest circulars from MOHR, KDN, and Immigration Malaysia. Our compliance team monitors all regulatory updates and notifies clients of changes that affect their workforce operations.
Malaysia has 15 approved source countries for foreign worker recruitment. Specific sector and gender restrictions apply — engage our team to confirm eligibility for your industry and preferred source country.
| No. | Country | Male | Female | Allowed Sectors / Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thailand | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 2 | Cambodia | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 3 | Nepal | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 4 | Myanmar | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 5 | Lao PDR | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 6 | Vietnam | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 7 | Philippines | ✓ | ✗ | All approved sectors (male only) |
| 8 | Pakistan | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 9 | Sri Lanka | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 10 | Bangladesh | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 11 | Turkmenistan | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 12 | Uzbekistan | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 13 | Kazakhstan | ✓ | ✓ | All approved sectors |
| 14 | India | ✓ | ✓ | Services (restaurants/cooks only), Construction (high-tension only), Agriculture, Plantation |
| 15 | Indonesia | ✓ | ✓ | Male — NOT permitted in Manufacturing. Female — all sectors permitted. |
In 2025–2026, Malaysia introduced stricter foreign worker regulations requiring prior approvals, verified quota applications, and enhanced welfare compliance. Our dedicated team assists employers at every stage.
Our licensed compliance team delivers clear guidance, efficient processing, and full legal support — ensuring your manpower needs are met without the stress. Trusted by employers across Peninsular Malaysia since 1989.
Verify latest updates at: MOHR · Immigration Dept · KDN / OSC Portal
Last Updated: January 2026 · Compliance Verified ✓
Clear answers on foreign worker recruitment, permits, processing, countries, sectors, compliance, and legal requirements in Malaysia.
There are 15 MOHR-approved source countries as of 2026. Most are approved for all sectors, but India, Indonesia, and the Philippines carry specific restrictions:
All other 12 countries (Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan) are approved for all sectors with both male and female workers permitted.
| Sector | Permitted Roles |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | All manufacturing roles (Indonesian male workers excluded) |
| Construction | All construction work including high-tension (India approved here) |
| Plantation | Palm oil, rubber, and related plantation crops |
| Agriculture | Farming, cultivation, and related activities |
| Services | Restaurant cooks, cleaning & sanitation, resort islands |
| Mining & Quarrying | Approved source countries — RM1,850/year levy |
Approved roles for Indian workers:
| Stage | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Document preparation & verification | 3–5 days |
| Pre-departure medical examinations | 7–10 days |
| VDR & government processing | 14–21 days |
| Visa issuance | 3–7 days |
| Travel arrangements | 2–5 days |
Factors affecting processing time: document completeness, source country, sector quota availability, and government holiday periods.
Employer transfers are only permitted under exceptional circumstances:
Required transfer process includes written consent from the current employer, new employer approval, and formal Immigration Department authorisation.
Submit renewal applications at least 90 days before PLKS expiry to avoid levy penalties and permit lapses. Required documents for renewal:
FOMEMA screening is conducted at approved FOMEMA-registered clinics across Malaysia. Results are linked electronically to the Immigration system. A pre-departure GAMCA/FWAMS medical is also required in the source country before departure. Workers who fail FOMEMA are subject to repatriation.
| Sector | Annual Levy (RM) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | RM 1,850 |
| Construction | RM 1,850 |
| Services (all categories) | RM 1,850 |
| Mining & Quarrying | RM 1,850 |
| Plantation | RM 640 |
| Agriculture | RM 640 |
Employers must comply with the following key regulations:
For any worker departure (termination, completion, repatriation, or medical rejection), file a Check Out Memo (COM) immediately via the Immigration portal. Delays in COM submission are a compliance violation that can attract penalties and affect future quota applications.
This window allows employers to apply for additional 2025 foreign worker quota across all approved sectors, including sectors previously closed early. Applications are processed under standard eligibility conditions and sector caps. Applications submitted outside this window are processed under regular quota rules. Contact our team immediately to submit your application before the window closes on 31 March 2026.
