What is Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T)?
Introduced in 2011, the Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) or otherwise known as Malaysian Talent pass is a 10-year permit for skilled foreign professionals in the country.
Unlike a Malaysian Employment Pass (EP), an RP-T provides long-term residency and the flexibility to change employers. Furthermore, spouses of RP-T holders can work in Malaysia without additional permits.
Benefits of Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T)
- Live and work in Malaysia for up to 10 years with the option to renew.
- Change jobs without the need to reapply for a new pass.
- Spouses and children under 18 are eligible for Residence Passes.
- Children under 18 years are eligible to pursue primary and secondary education in Malaysia (tertiary education or higher are not included).
- Spouses can also opt to work without a separate Employment Pass.
- Dependents above 18 years old (e.g. parents or parent-in-laws) are eligible for a one-year Social Visit Pass and are renewable for up to 5 years.
RP-T Pass Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the RP-T in Malaysia is as follows:
- Must be working in Malaysia for a minimum of three (3) years at the time of application.
- Must have an Employment Pass with more than three (3) months validity during application/renewal.
- Possess a Malaysian income tax file number and has paid income tax for two (2) years at minimum.
- Must earn a RM15,000 basic salary excluding allowances and bonuses.
- Must be a PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s Degree, or Diploma holder in any field from a recognized university, or a professional/competency certificate from a recognized professional institute.
- Must have a minimum of five (5) years of total work experience.
Preferred Industries for RP-T Pass Applicants in Malaysia
Preference is given to foreign talent employed in specific industries that are part of the National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) as outlined in the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) of the Government of Malaysia. These sectors include:
| Education | Oil, Gas & Energy |
| Healthcare | Palm Oil and Rubber |
| Agriculture | Tourism |
| Biotech | Financial Services |
| Aeronautics | Business Services |
| IT sectors | Communications, Content, and Infrastructure |
| Wholesale and Retail | Electrical & Electronics |
RP-T Pass vs Category 1 Employment Pass
Another residency pass aimed at professionals is a Category 1 Employment Pass. Although an RP-T pass has higher salary and stricter eligibility requirements, Residency Pass holders have more flexibility compared to Category 1 EP. Here’s an overview of an RP-T vs a Category 1 EP:
| Residence Pass-Talent | Category 1 Employment Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Validity Period | 10 years | 5 years |
| Employment Status | Free to change employers at any time. | Tied with the employer under the EP |
| Spouse Work Status | Allowed to work without needing a separate EP. | Not allowed to work without obtaining an EP under their name. |
| Minimum Salary | RM15,000 per month (excluding allowances and bonuses) | RM10,000 per month |
Documents Required for Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) in Malaysia
To apply for the Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) in Malaysia, you’ll typically need to provide the following documents:
- Copy of passport (all pages, including front and back cover, in color).
- Updated resume
- Copies of academic certificates
- Passport photo 3.5×5.0cm or 99x142px and light blue background
- Employment contract stamped by Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM)
- Latest job description on company letterhead
- Tax declaration slips for the past 2 years (e-BE & EA Form) with proof of tax paid
- Latest 3 months’ salary slips
- No Objection Letter from current employer (in Bahasa Malaysia)
- Copy of local contact person’s MyKad (front and back, in color)
- Malaysia Sponsor Form
- Testimonials on company letterhead
- Other supporting documents like recommendations from regulatory agencies (optional)
Keep in mind that any documents not originally in English must be translated and officially certified by the appropriate embassy or high commission to be considered valid.
Our local experts will prepare the necessary documents and handle submissions on your behalf to ensure accuracy and secure timely approvals.
If you want to include dependents to your application, you’ll need to submit extra documentation including passport copies, marriage or birth certificates, and other supporting materials relevant to the specific dependent pass you want to apply for.
For more information, fill out the form below and one of our relocation experts in Malaysia will get in touch!
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Sohaib Ikram
Sohaib Ikram serves as the Director of Emerhub in Malaysia.
FAQs About Residence Pass-Talent in Malaysia
Here’s a breakdown of the cost to apply for an RP-T in Malaysia:
- Application Fee: RM540 (inclusive of 8% SST, effective September 1, 2024)
- Processing Fees:
- RM5,400 per person (inclusive of SST) for Main Applicant and Spouse
- RM4,500 per person for Dependent (Under 18 years old)
- RM4,500 per person for Social Visit Pass (Dependents over 18)
Issuance Fee: Approximately RM2,000 per application (to get the Residence Pass issued)
The RP-T application process takes around a month including the time needed to gather and certify required documents The official processing time after submitting all documents is 21 working days with an additional 10 days for notification of the application status.
Yes, RP-T holders are required to maintain eligibility criteria throughout the 10-year approval. To qualify, you must earn a minimum salary of RM15,000/month and comply with tax obligations.
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50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia