Sarawak Employment Pass Requirements via EXPRT for Oil and Gas, Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Retail and Construction

Sarawak has changed how companies apply for expatriate work permission. The old manual process moved online in November 2025, and companies in Sarawak must now submit employment pass applications through EXPRT, the online platform for work permit applications involving expatriates.

That shift matters for employers. A missing document or poorly prepared justification can slow down hiring, delay mobilisation to site, or affect project timelines. For companies in oil and gas, manufacturing, infrastructure, retail and construction, the employment pass process should now be treated as a planned compliance step, not an end-stage formality.

Sarawak employers now manage expatriate work applications through an online process.

Sarawak employment pass applications now go through EXPRT

EXPRT is the new online platform used in Sarawak for expatriate work permit applications. Since the manual process moved online in November 2025, companies must use the platform rather than relying on paper-based submission routes.

This change affects businesses that hire foreign professionals, technical specialists, project managers, engineers, supervisors, consultants or other expatriate personnel who need approval to work in Sarawak.

For employers, the practical impact is clear:

• Applications need to be prepared digitally.

• Supporting documents should be complete before submission.

• Company and applicant information must be consistent across all files.

• Internal HR, project and compliance teams need to coordinate earlier.

• Employers should check the latest EXPRT requirements before each submission.

  
  

Sarawak also has its own immigration controls, so employers should not assume that an approval or process used elsewhere in Malaysia will apply in the same way in Sarawak.

Who needs an employment pass in Sarawak

An employment pass is generally required where a foreign national will work in Sarawak in an expatriate role. This may include technical, specialist, professional, managerial or advisory positions.

The exact requirement will depend on the role, the applicant’s nationality, the employing entity, the work location and the nature of the assignment. Short visits, project work, secondments and site-based roles can raise different issues, so classification should be checked before travel or mobilisation.

Typical roles that may require review include:

• Engineers assigned to oil and gas facilities

• Technical specialists supporting manufacturing lines

• Project personnel working on infrastructure contracts

• Retail operations specialists brought in for store launches

• Construction managers, supervisors or consultants

• Equipment commissioning and maintenance experts

• Expatriate directors or senior managers based in Sarawak

  
  

The key point is simple. If the person will be performing work in Sarawak, the company should confirm the correct pass route before the assignment begins.

Construction and infrastructure projects often require early planning for expatriate mobilisation.

Core requirements employers should prepare

The EXPRT platform should be treated as the main reference point for current document requirements. Requirements can change, and different applications may call for different supporting evidence.

That said, employers should usually prepare the following categories of information.

Company information

The company must be able to show that it is a legitimate employer or host entity in Sarawak. This may include registration details, business information, licences, project references or other documents that support the company’s right to operate.

Where the company is part of a wider group, make sure the employing entity is clear. The name on the employment contract, offer letter, application and supporting documents should match wherever possible.

Applicant information

The expatriate applicant will normally need a valid passport and personal details that match the submitted documents. Employers should also prepare evidence of the applicant’s qualifications, experience and suitability for the role.

Common supporting items may include:

• Passport biodata page

• Recent photograph, if required

• Curriculum vitae

• Academic or professional certificates

• Employment history

• Role-specific licences or certifications

• Previous immigration records, where relevant

  
  

Names, dates and passport numbers should be checked carefully. Small inconsistencies can create avoidable delays.

Employment and role details

The application should explain what the expatriate will do in Sarawak and why the role is needed. This is especially relevant where the position is technical, senior or project-specific.

Employers should prepare:

• Job title and job description

• Employment contract or assignment letter

• Proposed salary and benefits

• Work location in Sarawak

• Duration of assignment

• Reporting line or project role

• Reason the expatriate’s skills are required

  
  

A vague job description is rarely helpful. A stronger application explains the role in plain terms and links it to the company’s real operation.

Sector and project evidence

Some applications may require documents that show the commercial or project basis for the assignment. For example, an oil and gas contractor may need to show the contract or project scope that requires specialist personnel. A construction company may need to support the role with project details, site information or client documentation.

The principle is that the application should answer this question: why does this person need to work in Sarawak for this company, in this role, at this time?

Clear role evidence helps support employment pass applications for technical assignments.

How companies should manage the EXPRT process

The move to EXPRT is not just a change in submission method. It changes how employers should prepare internally.

Start by identifying the role and confirming whether the person needs an employment pass or another immigration route. Then collect documents before creating or updating the online application. If several departments are involved, assign one owner to manage the file from start to finish.

A sensible workflow looks like this:

1. Confirm the role, location and assignment period.

2. Check the current EXPRT requirements.

3. Gather company, applicant and role documents.

4. Review all names, dates and document consistency.

5. Submit through EXPRT.

6. Monitor the application and respond to any requests.

7. Keep approval records for audit and renewal planning.

   
   

For time-sensitive industries, this preparation is especially important. Oil and gas shutdowns, manufacturing line installations, infrastructure milestones, retail openings and construction schedules often depend on people arriving at the right time.

Common mistakes that can delay approval

Many delays come from simple preparation gaps. Employers should watch for these issues before submission:

• Passport validity is too short for the intended assignment.

• The job title differs across documents.

• The employment contract does not match the application details.

• Qualifications or experience are not clearly linked to the role.

• Project documents do not explain why the expatriate is required.

• The company submits before checking the latest EXPRT checklist.

• Internal teams assume the old manual process still applies.

  
  

The November 2025 move online means old habits need to change. Paper file routines, informal document collection and late-stage corrections are less suitable for an online platform where completeness and consistency matter from the start.

Manufacturing employers should align immigration planning with production schedules.

Industries we serve in Sarawak

Employment pass planning is often most urgent in sectors that rely on skilled expatriate labour for technical delivery, project completion or operational support.

We support companies in:

• Oil and gas

• Manufacturing

• Infrastructure

• Retail

• Construction

  
  

Each sector has different evidence needs. A retail employer may need to explain operational rollout or specialist training. A construction company may need to connect the expatriate role to a project stage. A manufacturer may need to show why the person is needed for installation, maintenance, process improvement or technical transfer.

The best applications are not overloaded. They are clear, complete and specific.

A practical takeaway for employers

The Sarawak employment pass process has entered a new online phase. Since November 2025, companies must apply through EXPRT for expatriate work permit applications, making early preparation more important than ever.

Before hiring or mobilising an expatriate to Sarawak, confirm the correct pass type, gather the right documents and make sure the role justification is clear. For regulated, technical and project-led industries, that preparation can protect both compliance and delivery timelines.

This article is for general information only and should not be treated as legal advice. Employers should always refer to the latest EXPRT requirements and seek professional guidance where the facts are complex.