Malaysia Employment Pass Salary 2026 for Pakistanis: RM 5,000 Minimum, All 3 Categories and the 5 and 10 Year Limits
Malaysia's Employment Pass needs RM 5,000 a month from 1 June 2026. All 3 categories, old and new salary, the 5 and 10 year limits, family rules and job checks.
From 1 June 2026, a Malaysia Employment Pass needs a salary of at least RM 5,000 a month, up from RM 3,000. Category III now covers RM 5,000 to RM 9,999, Category II covers RM 10,000 to RM 19,999, and Category I starts at RM 20,000. Category III holders can stay up to 5 years in total, and Categories I and II up to 10 years. Every new application and every renewal made on or after 1 June 2026 must meet the new levels.
We read the revised policy on the website of the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) of the Immigration Department of Malaysia on 10 November 2026. ESD posted it on 15 January 2026, after the Malaysian Cabinet approved it on 17 October 2025. For a Pakistani engineer, IT worker, doctor or manager with a Malaysian offer, this salary floor decides whether the job can go ahead at all.
Malaysia Employment Pass salary by category, old and new
| EP category | Old minimum salary | New minimum from 1 June 2026 | Total time allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category I | RM 10,000 and above | RM 20,000 and above | Up to 10 years |
| Category II | RM 5,000 to RM 9,999 | RM 10,000 to RM 19,999 | Up to 10 years, with a succession plan |
| Category III | RM 3,000 to RM 4,999 | RM 5,000 to RM 9,999 | Up to 5 years, with a succession plan |
A succession plan means the company shows how a Malaysian will take over the role over time. ESD says the policy aims to reduce reliance on foreign workers and give priority to local talent.
What the change means for a Pakistani worker
An offer of RM 4,000 a month used to fit Category III. Since 1 June 2026 it does not. The employer would have to raise the salary to at least RM 5,000, or the pass cannot be approved.
Renewals are caught too. If you came on RM 3,500 before June, your employer must meet RM 5,000 when it renews your pass. Ask about this well before your current pass ends.
The time limit also matters for planning. On Category III, you can stay up to 5 years in total. Moving up to Category II, by a raise to RM 10,000 or more, allows up to 10 years.
The Employment Pass rules that did not change
ESD's Employment Pass page sets these rules:
- The pass follows the employment contract, up to 60 months for each pass, at the discretion of the Expatriate Committee.
- The pass is valid only in Peninsular Malaysia, not in Sabah or Sarawak.
- You may work only for the company named on the pass. A new employer means a new application.
- The company applies through its own ESD account. A worker cannot apply alone.
The same page says only Employment Pass holders with a salary above RM 5,000 may apply for passes for family members: a Dependant Pass for a spouse and children under 18, a Long-Term Social Visit Pass for older children and parents, and a pass for a domestic helper.
Steps to check a Malaysian job offer from Pakistan
- Read the monthly basic salary on the offer. It must be at least RM 5,000 for any Employment Pass.
- Match the salary to the category in the table above, and note the total years it allows.
- Ask the employer to confirm in writing that it is registered with ESD and will apply for your pass.
- Never pay an agent for "Malaysia visa processing" for an Employment Pass. The company applies itself. If an agent is involved, check the agency's licence first.
- Make sure your passport has enough validity. Our page on the Pakistani passport fee in Malaysia covers renewal once you are there.
- Register with the Protector of Emigrants before you fly, as set out in our Protector of Emigrants guide.
Other Malaysian passes are not the Employment Pass
The Employment Pass is for professionals and managers. A visit visa does not let you work. Our Malaysia eVISA guide for Pakistanis covers tourist and business visits only.
Students go on a student pass, explained in our Malaysia student visa guide. ESD also runs a Professional Visit Pass for short assignments. We have not checked the rules for factory and plantation work permits, which are handled outside ESD, so this page does not cover them.
Common questions
What is the minimum salary for a Malaysia Employment Pass in 2026?
RM 5,000 a month for Category III, from 1 June 2026. Category II starts at RM 10,000 and Category I at RM 20,000.
Does the new salary apply to renewals?
Yes. ESD says all new and renewal Employment Pass applications made on or after 1 June 2026 must meet the revised levels.
How long can I stay in Malaysia on an Employment Pass?
Up to 5 years in total on Category III and up to 10 years on Categories I and II, with each pass lasting up to 60 months.
Can I bring my family on a Malaysian Employment Pass?
ESD's page says holders earning above RM 5,000 can apply for a Dependant Pass for a spouse and children under 18.
Can I apply for an Employment Pass myself?
No. The Malaysian employer applies through its ESD account.
Can I change employers on an Employment Pass?
Only through a new application. The pass is tied to the company named on it.
Last checked 10 November 2026 against ESD's announcement of the revised Employment Pass salary policy (dated 15 January 2026) and its Employment Pass page, on esd.imi.gov.my.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
