Foreign Worker: Guidelines Permission to Exit Malaysia

As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia has updated its guidelines and procedures for foreign workers and expatriates to exit the country.

This article will explain how expatriates and foreign workers can obtain permission to exit and return to Malaysia for the year 2022.

Keep in mind that the permission to exit and return will only be considered for these purposes:

• Official visit,

• Business,

• Meeting,

• Emergency cases, and

• Medical reasons.

Procedure to leave and return to Malaysia

This is for expatriates with an Active Pass who are currently in Malaysia and wish to leave and return to the country, which includes:

1. Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) and Dependant(s) 

2. Employment Pass (Category I, II & III)

3. Professional Visit Pass (PVP)

4. Long Term Social Visit Pass (LT-SVP) to expatriate of all categories

5. Dependant/s to expatriate for all categories

6. Foreign Maid to expatriate for all categories

Step 1: Apply for permission.

Before leaving the country, the applicant must apply for Permission to Exit Malaysia and Return. 

They can submit for Permission to Exit and Return to Malaysia through MYEntry on the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) website to receive the Director General of Immigration Department Malaysia's (DGIM) decision.

Please refer to this document to learn more about entering Malaysia for expatriates who are currently abroad. 

The applicant will receive the DGIM's approval within three to five working days from the submission date.

If you have any questions, please call the ESD at +603 8880 1449 or through the online enquire system at eapp.imi.gov.my. 

Step 2: Departing Malaysia.

After the applicant has received the Permission to Exit and Return Letter from the ESD, they will need to provide the letter at the entry point when departing and entering Malaysia. 

The applicant will be allowed to exit Malaysia. However, they will be required to return within 90 days from the Permission to Exit and Return Letter's issuance date.

Remember that the MYEntry Approval Letter is only valid for one-time use. 

Step 3: Returning to Malaysia.

Before returning to the country, the applicant MUST undergo the Covid-19 RT-PCR test abroad within three days. They must also be tested negative for Covid-19. 

Home Quarantine

The applicant must submit the application via the Ministry of Health's Home Quarantine Application portal seven to ten days before departing. 

The home quarantine's risk evaluation will be reviewed to see if the applicant meets the Home Quarantine Qualifying Criteria:

1. Home or Residence: A local or foreign traveller who has a home or residence in Malaysia, which includes:

   1. Malaysia as My Second Home Resident (MM2H)

   2. Permanent Resident (PR), or

   3. Employees. 

2. Tests negative for Covid-19 RT-PCR test.

3. Completed the Covid-19 Vaccination:

   1. For double-dose vaccines, the applicant must have received two doses, of which over 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose. 

   2. For single-dose vaccines. Of which over 28 days have passed since the vaccine dose's date.

4. The home/residence must be suitable according to risk evaluation. You can read more about it here.

If the applicant fails to fulfil the above requirements, they must quarantine at the quarantine centre specified by the government. 

Downloading MySejahtera app

The applicant must download and install the MySejahtera smartphone app before departing. 

The app allows Malaysia's Ministry of Health to monitor the user's health conditions and take immediate actions to provide the required treatments. 

You can download the app here:

• Google Play Store

• Apple App Store

Exit and return permission for expatriates with an active pass. Source

Step 4: Arriving in Malaysia.

Upon the applicant's arrival in the country, they are required to present the following documents to the Immigration Officer at the entry point:

1. Entry Approval Letter,

2. Valid Pass or Approval Letter or Visa with Reference (VDR); and 

3. COVID-19 RT-PCR test Abroad Result (if any) 

The applicant will need to scan the QR code "Traveller from Oversea" at the entry point via the "MySejahtera" smartphone app.

At this point, the applicant will need to take another COVID-19 RT-PACR test. The applicant must bear the cost of the COVID-19 test. 

Health assessment

The arriving applicant will undergo a health assessment at the permitted entry point:

• No symptom: The RT-PCR swab will be taken for detection of COVID-19.

• Mild symptoms: The applicant must undertake RT-PCR or RTK-Ag test. They can quarantine at home or in residence.

• Moderate or severe symptoms: The applicant will be directed to the Infectious Disease Specialist. Further action is according to the health assessment and specialist's decision.

WARNING: If the applicant fails to pay all costs or any outstanding fee to the Malaysian government, their active pass will be denied entry, cancelled, and blocklisted in the immigration system.

Permitted entry points to Malaysia:

Entry via flight

• Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA 1 & 2).

• Langkawi International Airport, Kedah.

• Bayan Lepas International Airport, Penang.

• Sultan Ismail International Airport, Senai, Johor.

• Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Sabah.

• Kuching International Airport, Sarawak.

Entry via automobile

• Immigration Checkpoint, Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI), Johor.

• Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (2nd Link), Johor.

Procedure for expatriates who do not wish to return

1. Expatriates who do not wish to return to Malaysia and are leaving for good due to the expiration of the pass or shortened pass are not required to apply for MYEntry. 

2. They are also exempted from obtaining Permission to Exit Malaysia from DGIM.

Please be aware that there may be changes to the procedures by the Department of Immigration along the way.

Source: Expatriate Services Division

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