The sponsoring employer
The organisation offering the role supports the application and prepares the required company and employment information.
02 / WORK IN SARAWAK
Employment Pass.
Work in Sarawak.
Plan your move to work in Sarawak with practical application guidance, local knowledge and one point of contact.
Discuss your Employment PassUNDERSTAND YOUR PATHWAY
What is an
Employment Pass?
An Employment Pass is an immigration pass for an approved foreign employee to take up full-time work with a sponsoring employer in Sarawak.
The foreign employee
You provide your passport, employment offer and professional records, and complete the personal steps required for your application.
The authorities
The relevant authorities assess the application, decide the outcome and set the conditions for entry, employment and the pass.
An offer is not work authorisation.
Complete the required approvals, entry arrangements and pass or licence conditions before starting work. Your application should be planned around these stages.
WHO IS IT FOR?
A role to take up.
A move to consider.
Professionals & executives
Foreign professionals, managers and specialists considering a full-time role with an employer in Sarawak.
Transfers & cross-postings
Employees moving into an eligible role through a company transfer, with the appropriate employment and transfer records.
Employers recruiting abroad
Organisations planning to bring in a foreign employee and needing to understand the role, company and application requirements.
Not every skilled role follows the same route. Tell us about the duties and employer so we can assess the appropriate pathway.
KEY ELIGIBILITY
Check the role.
Confirm the conditions.
Role & employee
- Full-time employment with the sponsoring employer; one Employment Pass holder works for one approved company.
- Proposed monthly salary of RM3,000 or above. Confirm the applicable salary condition for the role and current application category.
- Relevant qualifications and experience.
- Age 27 or above, where the sector requirement applies.
Employer & application
- An eligible organisation and a role suitable for the applicable employment pathway.
- Company and employment records that support the proposed appointment.
- Recruitment and other employer approvals where required.
- Conditions assessed for the sector, nationality and application type; a new application, transfer and renewal may need different evidence.
The checklist and final conditions depend on the employer, applicant and current requirements. We review these with you before you commit to the next steps.
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
Employer and employee.
One coordinated pathway.
- 01
Review the role and employer
Start with the proposed duties, employer, nationality, salary, qualifications and intended timing. Confirm the appropriate application route and what each party needs to prepare.
- 02
Prepare the employer steps
Eligible organisations use ALIANCE, the online gateway to GENESIS EXPRT for expatriate applications. Arrange JobSarawak recruitment and the Hiring Outcome Report where required. Government agencies and statutory bodies follow the applicable manual route with Sarawak Immigration.
- 03
Submit and respond
Bring the employer and employee records together for submission through the applicable route. The authorities assess the case and may request clarification or further documents. Keep both parties available for follow-up.
- 04
Follow approval and entry instructions
Once approved, follow the issued conditions and arrange the applicable Visa With Reference and eVISA steps. Nationality and circumstances affect entry arrangements; confirm them before booking travel or setting a start date.
- 05
Complete licensing and pass issuance
Record the required entry details for the Labour Licence process. The licence is needed for Employment Pass collection. Complete the applicable pass payment, issuance, biometric registration and Non-Sarawakian Identity Card arrangements as instructed.
Planning estimate: 4–6 months. Our company estimate assumes a complete application and the necessary employer preparation. It is not an official processing standard or an approval guarantee.
DOCUMENTS & INFORMATION
Prepare your records.
Build a complete file.
Employee documents
- Passport and signed employment offer.
- Resume and relevant academic or skills certificates.
- Supporting evidence of professional experience where required.
- Employee transfer letter for a cross-posting application, where applicable.
- Supporting family records if eligible dependants are included.
Employer documents
- Incorporation, ownership and director records, current SSM profile and trade licence.
- Tenancy agreement or property records for the business premises.
- Financial statements, tax filings and bank statements where applicable.
- Company authorisation and representative identification.
- Organisation chart, employment evidence and relevant project or contract records.
Additional records may be requested for the role, sector or application type. Confirm the current checklist and document format before arranging certification, translation or travel.
HOW WE SUPPORT YOU
Application guidance.
Local support.
Understand your pathway
We discuss your employment situation, review the requirements with you and identify the information needed for an initial assessment.
Prepare & coordinate
We guide document preparation, help coordinate the employer and employee steps, and assist with communication and follow-up through the appropriate channels.
Plan life in Sarawak
We connect the application with your wider move, including arrival, accommodation, local orientation and access to relevant professional or practical support.
Our role is guidance and coordination. The employer and employee remain responsible for accurate records, and the relevant authorities decide approval and pass conditions.
WHY BILLION LIGHT?
Local knowledge.
A familiar point of contact.
Strong local knowledge
Understand the Sarawak context, from local procedures and business considerations to housing and everyday arrangements.
One local point of contact
A local senior advisor helps connect the application steps with the practical decisions around your move.
Access to professional support
When your circumstances call for specialist advice, we can coordinate access to advocates and other relevant professionals for immigration, property or relocation matters.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
Before you
make your move.
Answers for foreign employees and employers planning the next steps.
Discuss your circumstancesCan I apply without a sponsoring employer?
This pathway centres on a qualifying role and a sponsoring employer. If you are still exploring work opportunities, we can discuss your circumstances and what needs to be in place before an Employment Pass application can proceed.
Does a pass issued for Peninsular Malaysia cover Sarawak?
Do not assume that it does. Sarawak has its own employment and immigration procedures. An existing pass issued elsewhere should be reviewed against the requirements for your proposed role in Sarawak.
When can I start work?
A job offer or application approval is only part of the process. Follow the issued instructions and complete the required entry, labour licensing and pass conditions before starting work. Confirm the authorised start date for your case.
Can I change employer or take another job?
An Employment Pass is linked to the approved employer. A change of company, role or employment arrangement needs to be checked before you act; do not assume the existing pass covers it.
How long is a pass valid, and can family accompany me?
An approved pass may be valid for 1–5 years. Its duration and dependant arrangements depend on the category and approved circumstances. Family applications require their own eligibility checks and supporting documents.
What affects the timing and cost?
Employer readiness, recruitment steps where required, document completeness and authority assessment all affect timing. We explain the proposed service scope and help you identify applicable authority and platform charges. Confirm current amounts and payment stages before proceeding.
Can you help with renewal?
We can help review the employer and employee records needed for renewal. GENESIS allows employers to submit through EXPRT up to 3 months before the current pass expires. Begin preparations early and follow the applicable renewal conditions.
Can you also help with settling into Sarawak?
Yes. We can discuss arrival, local orientation, accommodation, transportation and other practical needs, and coordinate access to relevant service providers. The support scope is agreed around your circumstances and plans.