Malaysia employers in selected sectors can now apply for support letters for hiring through Xpats Gateway

Eligible employers in regulated sectors such as tourism, healthcare, and construction can do so, while those in unregulated sectors should do all expatriate applications via ESD Online.

Following an earlier announcement on Malaysia’s new Xpats Gateway system, MYXpats Centre has shared updates on the upcoming Xpats Gateway system.

To be officially launched on 15 June 2023, the system will allow employers to apply for expatriate hiring online, and is thus expected to shorten the work permit application process. It will be accessible through the Expatriate Services Division’s (ESD) online portal.

In line with this, per the Centre’s latest update on 1 June (Thursday), employers under the purview of certain approving agencies/regulatory bodies can now apply via the portal for a ‘support letter’ to proceed to use Xpats Gateway.

The table below shows the sectors, as well as their respective approving agencies/ regulatory bodies, which are eligible to apply for the support letter:

Through ESD Online, employers can continue with the application for final decisions by the Immigration Department of Malaysia (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia, or JIM) after obtaining support letters from their respective approving agencies.

For sectors not listed above, employers can obtain their support letters directly from their respective approving agencies/regulatory bodies according to current guidelines, until the full implementation of Xpats Gateway on 15 August 2023.

With regards to unregulated sectors that are not under the purview of any approving agencies or regulatory bodies, employers should carry out their expatriate applications to ESD Online directly. However, employers should note that the Expatriate Committee or JIM reserve the right to request additional information before decision-making is done.

MYXpats Centre reaffirmed that the launch of Xpats Gateway represents a commitment to digitising governance, and ensuring that Malaysia continues to be a business hub that supports firms in their economic and investment goals.

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