Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) Malaysia
A ten-year pass for skilled expatriates already working in Malaysia, with the freedom to change employers and a spouse who can work. Emerhub prepares and submits the application.
What is the Residence Pass-Talent?
The Residence Pass-Talent, the RP-T, is a ten-year pass for skilled foreign professionals in Malaysia. Introduced in 2011 and run by TalentCorp with the Immigration Department, it gives long-term residency to expatriates who have already built a career in the country, and the freedom to move between employers that a standard work pass does not.
Compared with an Employment Pass, which ties you to one employer and runs in shorter blocks, the RP-T is built for staying. You can change jobs or start a business without reapplying, and your spouse can work without a pass of their own.
Benefits of the RP-T
Long-term stability and flexibility that an Employment Pass does not offer.
Ten years, renewable
Live and work in Malaysia for up to ten years, with a renewal that can carry you beyond.
Change employers freely
Move between jobs, or start your own business, without applying for a new pass each time.
Spouse can work
Your spouse can take up employment in Malaysia without needing a separate Employment Pass.
Family and schooling
Spouse and children under 18 join as dependents and can attend school; parents qualify for a renewable social visit pass.
RP-T eligibility criteria
- Three consecutive years on an Employment PassWorking in Malaysia.
- A valid Employment PassWith more than three months remaining.
- Basic salary of RM15,000 a monthRM180,000 a year.
- A Malaysian tax fileAnd tax paid for the last two years.
- A degree, diploma, or professional certificate
- At least five years of total work experience
Meeting these is the minimum to be considered. The final decision rests with the RP-T Approving Panel, so a strong application matters as much as ticking the boxes.
How the ten years is structured
The RP-T is approved for ten years, but it is endorsed in two blocks: an initial five years, then the remaining five. Before the first block expires you renew through the RP-T portal, up to six months ahead, to secure the rest of the ten-year period.
Beyond the first decade, an RP-T Post-10-Years renewal lets eligible holders continue, so the pass can support a long career in Malaysia rather than ending at ten years. Each renewal checks that you still meet the salary and tax conditions.
Preferred industries for the RP-T
Preference goes to talent in Malaysia's priority sectors, the National Key Economic Areas.
RP-T vs the Category 1 Employment Pass
The Category 1 Employment Pass is the other route for senior professionals. Since June 2026 it asks for a higher salary than the RP-T, but it still ties you to one employer. Once you qualify, the RP-T gives more freedom for a lower salary bar.
| Residence Pass-Talent | Category 1 Employment Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum validity | 10 years | Up to 10 years |
| Employer | Change freely, any time | Tied to the sponsoring employer |
| Spouse working | Can work without an Employment Pass | Needs their own Employment Pass |
| Minimum salary | RM15,000 a month | RM20,000 a month |
Documents required for the Residence Pass-Talent
- A color copy of your passport, all pages.
- An updated resume and copies of your academic certificates.
- A passport photo, 3.5 by 5.0 cm, on a light-blue background.
- Your employment contract, stamped by the Inland Revenue Board.
- A current job description on company letterhead.
- Tax declaration slips for the past two years, the e-BE and EA forms, with proof of tax paid.
- Your last three months of salary slips.
- A No Objection Letter from your current employer, in Bahasa Malaysia.
- A color copy of your local contact person's MyKad, and the Malaysia Sponsor Form.
- Testimonials on company letterhead, and any regulatory recommendations.
Documents not in English must be translated and certified by the relevant embassy or high commission. To add dependents, you also supply their passport copies and marriage or birth certificates. We prepare and submit the full set on your behalf.
How to apply for the Residence Pass-Talent
The RP-T application runs through TalentCorp, then the Immigration Department. We handle both.
Confirm eligibility and open the account
We check your years in Malaysia, salary, and tax record against the criteria, and set up your account on the RP-T portal.
Prepare and upload documents
We assemble the contract, tax slips, salary slips, and supporting letters, certified and translated where needed, and upload them.
TalentCorp review and panel
TalentCorp reviews the application, may request more detail or an interview, and the Approving Panel makes the decision.
Immigration endorsement
Once approved, the pass is endorsed by the Immigration Department for the first five years, and we handle the renewal in time.
Three years on an Employment Pass already?
Tell us about your salary, role, and time in Malaysia, and we'll confirm whether you qualify for the RP-T and run the application end to end.
RP-T FAQs
The questions skilled expatriates ask most about the Residence Pass-Talent.
What is the Residence Pass-Talent?
It is a ten-year pass run by TalentCorp for skilled foreign professionals already working in Malaysia. It gives long-term residency and the freedom to change employers, which a standard Employment Pass does not.
Who can apply?
Expatriates who have worked in Malaysia on an Employment Pass for three consecutive years, earn at least RM15,000 a month, hold a Malaysian tax file with two years of tax paid, have a degree or professional certificate, and at least five years of total experience.
How long is the RP-T valid?
Ten years, endorsed in two five-year blocks. You renew through the RP-T portal before the first block expires. An RP-T Post-10-Years renewal then lets eligible holders continue beyond the first decade.
Can I change employers?
Yes. The RP-T is not tied to one employer, so you can move jobs or start a business without applying for a new pass. You do need to notify TalentCorp and Immigration of changes to stay compliant.
Can my spouse work, and can my family join?
Your spouse can work without a separate Employment Pass. Your spouse and children under 18 join as dependents and can attend primary and secondary school. Parents and parents-in-law qualify for a one-year social visit pass, renewable for up to five years.
Can I apply from outside Malaysia?
No. The RP-T is a retention pass, so you have to be in Malaysia on a valid Employment Pass with at least three consecutive years of work behind you. To enter Malaysia and work in the first place, you start with an Employment Pass.
How is the RP-T different from the Employment Pass?
The Employment Pass is tied to one employer. The RP-T is for ten years, lets you change employers freely, and lets your spouse work. Under the June 2026 EP rules it also asks for a lower salary (RM15,000 a month rather than RM20,000 for Category 1), so once you qualify the RP-T is the more flexible route at the lower bar. The trade-off is the three-year track record on an EP first.
Talk to our Malaysia team
A free, no-obligation call: thirty minutes with our Malaysia team to check whether you meet the three-year and RM15,000 thresholds, walk through the documents, and lay out the timeline.
Kampung Datuk Keramat
50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia