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WORK ABROAD

Work Abroad in Malaysia

For Filipinos considering professional jobs in Malaysia, review Employment Pass categories and employer requirements. Compare Kuala Lumpur net salary and rent with the offer.

AsiaEmployment Pass for an eligible professional role
PenangKuala LumpurJohor Bahru
Job access and relocation
Moderate
Human rights index

Political rights and civil liberties

53/100
Pesopal overall rating

Rights, living standards and job access

3.2/5

Working in Malaysia

Malaysia may be an option for experienced Filipinos with an eligible professional offer. The practical route depends on the employer, the expatriate position and the Employment Pass category. A shortage occupation can guide the job search, but does not replace the salary and approval requirements.

Fields and recruitment routes

  • Technology specialists. Use TalentCorp’s Critical Occupations List to check the exact specialism before targeting employers, rather than assuming all IT roles are in shortage.
  • Engineering and technical expertise. Match your engineering discipline and experience to the employer’s needs and the relevant occupational profile.
  • Specialist business roles. Selected professional business functions may be worth investigating when the employer can support an eligible expatriate position.

TalentCorp Critical Occupations List

Major challenges

  • Current salary category. The Employment Pass salary policy changed in June 2026; check the category applicable to the actual offer.
  • Employer approval. A registered company must obtain the relevant approvals for the expatriate position and pass before employment begins.
  • Different worker systems. Factory, plantation and domestic-worker arrangements are separate from the Employment Pass and cannot be assessed using its rules.

Official employment route

Jobs to explore

For Malaysian professional roles, establish the Employment Pass category and sponsoring company before comparing pay. Other foreign-worker categories have separate sector and nationality conditions.

Technology

  • Software developer
  • IT support specialist
  • Cybersecurity analyst
  • Data analyst

Business services

  • Customer support specialist
  • Accountant
  • Payroll specialist
  • Shared-services analyst

Engineering

  • Mechanical engineer
  • Electrical engineer
  • Civil engineer
  • Engineering technician

Getting a job and work permission

Employment Pass for an eligible professional role

Employment Pass salary policy changed from June 2026. Ask the sponsoring company to check the current category and conditions instead of relying on an older salary threshold.

Check the work application requirements

Complete the Philippine departure process alongside the destination application.

Documents & Requirements

Employment Pass for expatriate employment

Main requirement

A registered employer applies for an eligible expatriate position. The offer must satisfy the Employment Pass category and current salary policy.

Work permission

The company submits through ESD and obtains the required approvals. Follow entry and pass-endorsement instructions before starting.

Main documents

  • Passport and photo
  • Educational certificates
  • CV
  • Employment contract and job description
  • Relevant agency approval where required

New salary-category rules took effect in June 2026. Factory, plantation and domestic-worker recruitment use different permissions from the Employment Pass.

Check the official application requirements

Living costs in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur’s living costs can make an offer look appealing, but compare guaranteed take-home pay and the commute. A car-dependent location can change the monthly budget.

Average salary₱94,200MYR 6,129Monthly net salary
Rent costs₱23,300MYR 1,518Monthly · one bedroom outside centre
Grocery costs₱8,400MYR 545Monthly basket estimate · one person
Transportation costs₱800MYR 50Regular monthly pass

Numbeo city prices · 27 September 2026

Grocery basket

Basket quantities and calculation

Average net salary in Kuala Lumpur

Numbeo’s Kuala Lumpur benchmark is ₱94,200 (MYR 6,129) per month after tax.

Employment Pass. For applications submitted from 1 June 2026, Category III requires MYR 5,000 to 9,999 a month, Category II MYR 10,000 to 19,999 and Category I at least MYR 20,000. Employer approval and the relevant category conditions are also required.

Other foreign-worker permits. The MYR 1,700 general wage floor is not the Employment Pass threshold. Lower-paid foreign-worker recruitment follows different permit, sector and nationality rules. Ask the employer to identify that route before treating an offer as available.

Estimated take-home pay in Malaysia
Salary basisGross payEstimated monthly net
Employment Pass: Category III entryMYR 5,000 / monthMYR 4,700≈ ₱72,300
Employment Pass: Category II entryMYR 10,000 / monthMYR 8,710≈ ₱133,900
Employment Pass: Category I entryMYR 20,000 / monthMYR 16,010≈ ₱246,200
General wage-floor exampleMYR 1,700 / monthMYR 1,640≈ ₱25,200

Malaysian resident, under 60, with only MYR 9,000 personal relief, 2% foreign-worker EPF and current PERKESO contributions. Non-resident 30% tax gives roughly MYR 3,340 / 6,730 / 13,530 net at the three pass thresholds. Other reliefs can raise resident take-home pay.

HASiL resident tax rates · Foreign-national taxation · EPF contributions · PERKESO foreign workers

Salary rules

YOUR OWN NUMBERS

Would the offer work for you?

Use your offer’s take-home pay and your own costs. Employer covers rent? Enter zero.

Left after your monthly costsAdd your costs

Include food, utilities, transport, insurance, debt payments and money sent home.

One-time moving costs and emergencies need a separate buffer.

Planning rate · 1 MYR = ₱15.3768

Your shortlist