How to apply for the Investor Pass Malaysia (2025)?

The Investor Pass in Malaysia just launched (effective 1 April 2025), allowing new, in progress, and post-entry investors to land themselves in Malaysia for a duration of 6 to 12 months. The Investor Pass is a multi entry visa (MEV) for West Malaysia or Peninsular Malaysia only. It is designed specifically for exploration of business opportunities in Malaysia, avoiding the ambiguity of permitted business activities on entry via the tourist pass. Additionally, it also helps existing investors who may be board members, financial benefactors, or non-executive directors to gain temporary access to oversee business expansion activities in Malaysia, without having to switch roles or prove genuine employment in Malaysia to satisfy the narrow employment pass requirements. Lastly, this early exploration opportunity makes it possible for investors to make an informed assessment of the market before entry. Unlike before, where foreign companies needed to be set up in Malaysia first to sponsor the first work visa of an expatriate.

This flexibility is much welcomed for Malaysia to remain open to investment, and being a hub of choice for multinationals to based their business activities here.

In this article, we will cover the application process & duration, document checklist & eligibility requirements, and options to stay in Malaysia after obtaining the Investor Pass.

Application process and duration

The application is managed by the Xpats Gateway. Applicants will need to create and register an account on the Xpats Gateway platform. Presumably, applicants should be applying under the foreign registered company as local company sponsorship is not required. According to Xpats Gateway, the application takes only five (5) working days after submission of complete documents. However, as with all other visa applications in Malaysia, more time should be planned for documentation to be complete.

After the Investor Pass is approved, the applicant may make payment online. The cost of the visa is as follow:

Cost Item	Cost
Xpat Gateway Processing Fee (Third Party Tech Provider)	RM1296 (including 8% SST)
Investor Pass Fees (Government Levies and related costs)	RM590
Visa Fee	Dependent on nationality (Check here)
Total	RM1886

Once the approval letter is obtained, applicants must apply for a Single Entry Visa (SEV) with the Malaysian Consular Services in their respective country of residence or origin. Once the SEV is obtained, the applicant may travel to Malaysia. The final step is the endorsement of the ePASS, which can now be obtained upon entry at KLIA or KLIA2 terminals. The ePASS is the official work permit or Investor Pass. The start date of the six (6) month pass is usually tied to date of entry. It is important to note that the Investor Pass is for West Malaysia or Peninsular Malaysia only, and excludes entry to Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia.

Document Checklist & Eligibility Requirements

The document checklists depends on the type of investor you are. Currently, the Malaysian Government has designated three broad categories of Investors, namely:

i. New Investor: Potential investors who have not had any investment record in Malaysia. For now, no restriction on approved industry.

ii. Investor in Pipeline: Potential investors who have been identified as interested in making investments in Malaysia, are currently in negotiations with the Malaysian Government, or have applied to MIDA* for project approvals.

iii. Existing Investor: Investors who have investment records in Malaysia and SSM-registered companies** but are not under the employment of the company or any companies in Malaysia. Note: The Existing Investor category is only available for Manufacturing and Selected Services sectors under MIDAs purview. Sectors governed by other agencies will be available in Phase 2. *Note: MIDA is the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, a facilitation agency for Foreign Direct Investments, especially in designated industrial zones in Malaysia. **Note: SSM-registered companies refers to companies that are already registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia.

Broadly, the document checklist is as follow: 1. Official invitation from a Malaysian Government Ministry, Government Agency or Registered Company in Malaysia - currently indicated as optional

2. Full Passport copy of the applicant with more than 12 months' validity (minimum 18 months is recommended)

3. Certificate of Incorporation of Parent Company (abroad)

4. Latest Audited Financial Statement of Parent Company only for Investor in Pipeline

5. Company Profile of SSM-registered company only for Existing Investor

6. Other documents that may be requested or deemed relevant

All foreign language documents should be translated to English or Malay prior to submission. The translation may be verified by a Court interpreter in Malaysia, the foreign consulates or ministries of the applicant's respective country or an approved language interpretation authority in Malaysia.

Options to Stay

The Investor Pass is renewable once for an additional six (6) months' stay. Beyond the full 12 months' allowed on the Investor Pass, the applicant may seek to apply for an Employment Pass instead. However, to be eligible for the Employment Pass, the sponsoring company must be a registered company in Malaysia meeting the eligibility requirements of the Expatriate Services Division.

The conversion of the Investor Pass to an Employment Pass within Malaysia will require a discretionary Journey Performed Visa. Practically, an exit and cancellation of the Investor Pass may be advisable before starting an Employment Pass application.

Our website and its contents are provided for general information purposes only and nothing on this website or in its contents is intended to provide professional advice. Please contact us at info@migratesafe.org or +6082-295175 for more information.