Malaysia – Update on Improvements from MDEC on Employment Pass Application Process
As noted previously, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has announced that, on November 15, 2017, it will introduce reduced and more consistent processing times for employment passes, a new online application portal and new service fees, paid online in advance of application submission.
New Processing Times
- Stage 1 MSC Approval: will go from current 3 working days to 7 working days
- Stage 2 MSC Endorsement: will go from current 14-21 working days to 2 working days
- Stage 1 ICT Approval: will go from current 5 working days to 7 working days
- Stage 2 ICT Endorsement: will go from 10-14 working days to 2 working days
MDEC will remain as the main focal point for all application matters and will liaise directly with the Immigration Department of Malaysia (IDM) on the endorsement of passes.
The new, improved process will include approval from MDEC and IDM within a service level agreement (SLA) of seven working days from date of submission. Endorsement of passes by IDM is expected to be completed within an SLA of two working days from date of submission. Above processing timelines apply to new and renewal applications. Applications involving transition of employers are expected to take longer due to additional requirements. Timelines are subject to submission of complete information/documents to support application processing. For returned cases, the above SLA will apply once complete information is provided to MDEC.
New Online Portal
MDEC is expecting to roll out an enhanced version of their ‘’’eXpat’’’ online portal which will cater to both MSC and ICT status companies. The new portal will be available for use on November 15, 2017.
Transition Arrangements
MDEC will transition from the current version of the eXpat portal to the enhanced version on November 15, 2017. MDEC has established the following cut-off dates allowing companies to plan and complete processing of ongoing cases using the current system. Failure to comply with these cut-off dates will lead to automatic annulment of ongoing cases, thus forcing companies to resubmit fresh applications through the new system thereafter.
- Stage 1 (Approval)
- Companies may proceed with Stage 1 applications using the current eXpats system until November 10, 2017 (before 12.00 midnight).
- Meeting this dateline would allow companies to receive a decision on Stage 1 applications before November 15, 2017.
- Incomplete applications received on November 10, 2017 will be automatically cancelled and the company required to reapply using the new eXpats system from November 15, 2017 onwards.
- For “kept in view” (KIV) applications (Stage 1), companies must revert to their designated MDEC client manager before November 10, 2017 (before 12.00 midnight). Failure to comply will result in automatic cancellation of pending cases.
- Companies may wish to use the new eXpats system from November 15, 2017 onwards based on the revised guidelines stated above.
- Stage 2 (Endorsement)
- For stage 1 approvals issued before November 15, 2017, companies are allowed a grace period until December 29, 2017 using the current eXpat system to complete endorsement procedures (Stage 2).
- Under the current eXpat system, the processing timeline and MDEC fee will remain unchanged.
- Delays in completing Stage 2 by December 29, 2017 will lead to automatic cancellation of Stage 1 approval and the company will be required to reapply using the new eXpat system.
- For KIV applications (Stage 2), companies must revert to their designated MDEC client manager before December 29, 2017. Failure to meet the deadline will result in automatic cancellation of pending Stage 2 applications.
Companies may wish to use the new eXpats system from January 1, 2018 onwards, based on the revised guidelines stated above.
MDEC will perform system enhancement and data migration works from the old to the new eXpats system from November 10, 2017 (after 12.00 midnight) until November 15, 2017. The eXpat system (current and new) will not be available for company use during this time.
Malaysia Digital Economy Sdn Bhd (MDEC) processes Employment Passes for Information Communication Technology (ICT) companies and companies registered for Multimedia Super Corridor Malaysia (MSC Malaysia) status. The Expatriate Services Division (ESD) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) is another agency which issue Employment Passes for foreign nationals in Malaysia.