New foreign worker application
Total: approx. 4 months
- MY PASS approval approx. 1 month
- eQuota approval (documents complete) approx. 1.5 months
- E-embassy processing approx. 1.5–2.5 months
How to apply for foreign workers in Malaysia: the 8-step process
Applying for foreign workers (pekerja asing) in Malaysia follows eight official steps across MyFuture JobsNational job portal where vacancies are advertised to locals first., FWCMSForeign Workers Centralized Management System (online platform)., JTKSMLabour Department of Peninsular Malaysia. and KESUMAMinistry of Human Resources.. This page explains each step, how long it takes and what the acronyms mean.
The 8 official steps
The order is fixed: each step follows the one before it. Tai Industries prepares and follows up every step for you.
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Step 1: MyFuture Jobs ad posting & hiring outcome report
The vacancy is first advertised to locals on MyFuture Jobs, the national job portal, and the hiring outcome is then reported.
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Step 2: Apply FWE in the FWCMS system
The FWE application is submitted online through FWCMS, the Foreign Workers Centralized Management System.
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Step 3: AkujanjiEmployer's letter of undertaking. (undertaking) signing at JTKSM
The employer signs the Akujanji, a letter of undertaking, at JTKSM, the Labour Department of Peninsular Malaysia.
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Step 4: Section 60KApproval to employ foreign workers under the Employment Act 1955. approval by JTKSM
JTKSM grants approval to employ foreign workers under Section 60K of the Employment Act 1955.
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Step 5: Apply for eQuotaForeign worker quota approval. in FWCMS
The eQuota (foreign worker quota) application is filed in FWCMS.
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Step 6: Interview at KESUMA One Stop Centre
The employer attends an interview at the One Stop Centre of KESUMA, the Ministry of Human Resources.
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Step 7: eQuota approval by KESUMA
KESUMA approves the eQuota, the foreign worker quota for your company.
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Step 8: Recruitment & arrival of the foreign worker
The worker is recruited and arrives in Malaysia. Post-arrival items follow: the FomemaForeign worker medical screening. medical check, SPIKPAForeign worker hospitalisation & surgical insurance. insurance and personal accident insurance.
What you do, and what we do
As the employer, you sign the Akujanji undertaking at JTKSM and attend the interview at the KESUMA One Stop Centre. We prepare you for both.
We take care of the rest: the MyFuture Jobs advertisement and hiring outcome report, the FWE and eQuota applications in FWCMS, and the coordination through to the worker's arrival.
Timeline: how long does it take?
A new foreign worker application takes approx. 4 months in total. A re-application or renewal is quicker: within 2 months.
Re-application / renewal
Total: within 2 months
- eQuota approval (documents complete) approx. 1 month
- E-embassy processing approx. 1 month
All timelines are approximate and depend on the authorities' processing times.
What the process costs
Permit and government fees for a Bangladeshi worker are RM 2,655, and our service fee is RM 1,000 per worker: an estimated RM 3,655 in total. See the foreign worker cost breakdown and calculator.
Glossary: FWCMS, JTKSM, Section 60K, eQuota and more
The application uses Malay acronyms and system names. These are the ones you will hear most.
- PLKS
- Temporary Employment Visit Pass (Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara): the work permit.
- Levy
- Annual foreign worker levy paid by the employer.
- FWCMS
- Foreign Workers Centralized Management System (online platform).
- JTKSM
- Labour Department of Peninsular Malaysia.
- Section 60K
- Approval to employ foreign workers under the Employment Act 1955.
- Akujanji
- Employer's letter of undertaking.
- KESUMA
- Ministry of Human Resources.
- eQuota
- Foreign worker quota approval.
- MyFuture Jobs
- National job portal where vacancies are advertised to locals first.
- Fomema
- Foreign worker medical screening.
- SPIKPA
- Foreign worker hospitalisation & surgical insurance.
- EPF (KWSP)
- Employees Provident Fund (KWSP).
- PERKESO (SOCSO)
- Social Security Organisation (SOCSO).
- FWE
- Definition to be confirmed
- MY PASS
- Definition to be confirmed
- E-embassy
- Definition to be confirmed
After arrival
Once workers arrive, the Fomema medical check and insurance follow, the levyAnnual foreign worker levy paid by the employer. (levi) and the PLKSTemporary Employment Visit Pass (Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara): the work permit. (Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara) fall due every year, and your payroll must meet Malaysia's wage rules.
See foreign worker minimum wage and OT rates for the payroll figures, and our PLKS renewal service for the years that follow. Ready to begin? Read about hiring Bangladeshi foreign workers.
Guides
Related guides
- Draft
How to hire foreign workers in Malaysia: the 8-step process
How to hire foreign workers in Malaysia: the 8 official steps from the MyFuture Jobs advertisement to arrival, how long each stage takes and what it costs.
Updated - Draft
Glossary: FWCMS, JTKSM, Section 60K and eQuota explained
FWCMS, JTKSM, Section 60K and eQuota explained in plain English, with the other terms employers meet when applying for foreign workers in Malaysia.
Updated
Contact
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