Visas in Asia, Hong Kong, Singapore & Malaysia
To be able to work in Asia you will require a suitable visa or work permit. Most expats that work in Hong Kong, Singapore or Malaysia will have their work visa provided by their employer.
Malaysian Visas
Work permits in Malaysia are usually obtained by the employer. If you own a company and want to hire a foreign national, be prepared for a long and exhausting process. Employees and their families coming to Malaysia, who have not obtained work permits before arrival, are allowed to enter the country on social passes and to obtain the work permit afterwards.
- As Malaysia imposes stringent laws for illegal workers, it is highly recommended not to start working before the working permit is issued.
- Dependents of work permit holders have to apply for own working permits if they wish to work in Malaysia.
- To obtain a work permit, your passport should have a remaining validity of at least 18 months.
- A foreign national coming to Malaysia to work must be 27 years and above (exception in IT sector, where required minimum age is 23).
- The work permits are usually issued for periods between 6 months and 5 years.
