
Malaysia
The Immigration Department of Malaysia and Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) officially opened the new Malaysia Expatriate Talent Service Centre (MYXpats Centre) in Surian Tower, Petaling Jaya on July 1, 2015. MYXpats Centre issues faster Employment Pass (EP) applications and other EP-related passes that were previously processed only by the Immigration Department of Malaysia’s headquarters in Putrajaya. With the new center comes a new online Visa with Reference (VDR) letter that allows foreign workers to apply for an entry visa with a copy of their VDR letter instead of awaiting the original.
MYXpats Centre expects to process Employment Pass, Professional Visit Pass, Dependant Pass and Long-Term Social Visit Pass applications in five business days upon complete filing. Employers can also direct their work authorization-related questions to the Centre instead of inquiring at the headquarters of the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
Employers must still undergo the same registration and compliance check process under the Expatriates Service Division (ESD), which was launched last year by the Immigration Department of Malaysia, before utilizing the MYXpats Centre. Once they are registered under ESD, employers can use the MYXpats Centre to apply for EPs and other work authorizations without a separate registration process.
New Visa with Reference (VDR) Process
Under the new procedures of the MYXpats Centre, foreign workers can obtain an online Visa with Reference (VDR) letter through the ESD's online system. After the applicant receives the VDR by email, they can apply for a Single Entry Visa (SEV) at a Malaysian consular post abroad using a copy of the VDR letter. Once the foreign worker enters Malaysia with an SEV, he or she can proceed with the next stage of the EP process.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
MYXpats Centre brings together multiple resources in one location to improve efficiency and delivery of services to employers and foreign workers.
EP applicants should benefit from faster entry with the online VDR letter, after which they can proceed with the next stage of the EP application in Malaysia.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
© 2015 Fragomen
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss Canada’s entry requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa-required and visa-exempt nationals, visitor entry rules and key planning considerations for fans, teams, media and volunteers.
Media mentions
Partner Kevin Miner discusses the DOL’s proposed H-1B wage rule and its potential to add significant unplanned costs for US employers.
Media mentions
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key pathways to German citizenship, including descent-based eligibility and standard naturalization requirements and outlines important considerations for individuals exploring their options.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior outlines key compliance considerations for UK hospitality sponsors as regulatory expectations continue to evolve.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler said proposed H-1B and PERM wage increases could raise hiring costs and apply only to new and pending applications.
Work authorization
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit explores the latest UK immigration fee increases and their wider implications for migration trends, labour supply and workforce planning.
Video
Partner Karine Wenger outlines US visa considerations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the FIFA Pass priority scheduling system and the importance of early planning.
Media mentions
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key considerations for managing outbound assignments from Germany, including planning, visa requirements and coordinated global support.
Video
Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Blog post
Senior Client Services Manager Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa explores how global talent shortages and workforce mobility are shaping the future of critical minerals and the energy transition.
Video
Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss Canada’s entry requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa-required and visa-exempt nationals, visitor entry rules and key planning considerations for fans, teams, media and volunteers.
Media mentions
Partner Kevin Miner discusses the DOL’s proposed H-1B wage rule and its potential to add significant unplanned costs for US employers.
Media mentions
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key pathways to German citizenship, including descent-based eligibility and standard naturalization requirements and outlines important considerations for individuals exploring their options.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior outlines key compliance considerations for UK hospitality sponsors as regulatory expectations continue to evolve.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler said proposed H-1B and PERM wage increases could raise hiring costs and apply only to new and pending applications.
Work authorization
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit explores the latest UK immigration fee increases and their wider implications for migration trends, labour supply and workforce planning.
Video
Partner Karine Wenger outlines US visa considerations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the FIFA Pass priority scheduling system and the importance of early planning.
Media mentions
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key considerations for managing outbound assignments from Germany, including planning, visa requirements and coordinated global support.
Video
Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Blog post
Senior Client Services Manager Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa explores how global talent shortages and workforce mobility are shaping the future of critical minerals and the energy transition.
