Firstly, who requires a work permit in Sarawak?
According to the Sarawak Labour Ordinance, any person who is a non-resident employee under Section 119 will require a work pass to work in Sarawak. This means anyone who is a non-Sarawakian, whether West Malaysian, Sabahan or Foreigner
What is the process to apply for a work permit in Sarawak?
What are the approval timelines?
Depending on which work permit you apply for, the timelines will be different. In Sarawak, the typical timelines are as follows:
| Immigration Pass | Location | Timelines |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Visit Pass | Kuching | 30 working days |
| Professional Visit Pass | Sibu, Miri, Bintulu | 45 working days |
| Employment Pass | Kuching | 120 - 150 working days |
| Employment Pass | Sibu, Miri, Bintulu | 120 - 150 working days |
All applications will need to be submitted at the nearest immigration office to the work site. However, approvals are centralised in Kuching.
Early applications are advised to prevent delays to the application.
What are the benefits of going with Migratesafe***?***
- We manage your application entirely online
- We are transparent about document requirements and timelines
- We are professional and ethical in our service delivery
Tell us what you need
Describe your situation and we’ll tell you which pass fits it, what it costs and how long it takes.
Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm · WhatsApp 1 business day · Email 1–2 business days