Malaysia•AsiaPLS@XPATS Pass (Emergency Work Pass)
At a Glance
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Fast-tracked social visit pass (not a work permit) for foreign experts' critical emergency work in Malaysia's oil/gas, IT, aviation, and manufacturing.
The PLS@XPATS Pass is Malaysia's emergency work pass for foreign experts doing critical work in oil and gas, IT, aviation, and manufacturing. Introduced in October 2022, it bypasses standard work permit processing to address urgent operational needs. Applicants must be 18 or older with a valid passport, sponsored by a Malaysian employer.
Applicants must document critical work justifying immediate presence; employers submit at least 5 working days before travel. The pass is non-renewable, valid for a single 30-day entry. Processing takes 1 working day. Spouses cannot work. There are no application fees.
This visa is ideal for foreign technical specialists responding to urgent machinery failures or critical infrastructure needs in Malaysia's key economic sectors.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 1 month |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be for critical or emergency professional work (e.g., machinery failure, urgent technical support).
Applicant must be aged 18 or above.
Passport must have at least 6 months validity.
Application must be submitted by the employer/company in Malaysia.
Submission must be made at least 5 working days before the intended departure date.
Not applicable to citizens of Israel or Afghanistan.
KEY CRITERIA
Education
bachelor or higher
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Application letter
Passport
Company registration (e-SSM)
Project schedule
Job description
Return flight ticket
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Fast processing time of just 1 working day from application
- Completely free — no application or processing fees required
- Enables critical technical work without lengthy full work permit procedures
- Employer-sponsored rapid authorization for emergency operational needs
- Easy online access via dedicated PLS@XPATS portal for streamlined application
- Works for experts from any background; company registration status not restrictive
- Minimal documentation required to start critical work quickly
Worth Knowing
- Maximum 30-day validity with no extensions or renewals possible
- Single-entry pass only; cannot be used for repeated visits within the year
- Requires employer or Malaysian company to initiate and sponsor the application
- Spouse cannot work during the applicant's stay on this pass
- Applicant must hold separate visa/eVISA to enter Malaysia if not visa-exempt
- Not available to citizens of Israel or Afghanistan
- Cannot enter Malaysia via Visa on Arrival while using this emergency pass
- Requires active employer sponsorship — independent applicants non-qualifying
Application Process
Employer registers or logs into the PLS@XPATS portal (https://mtp.imi.gov.my/plsXpats).
Submit the application with all required documents at least 5 working days before travel.
Wait for processing (typically 3 working days).
If the applicant requires a visa to enter Malaysia, apply for an eVISA or visit a Malaysian Representative Office after receiving the approval letter.
Present the original passport and the PLS@XPATS approval letter at the point of entry.
Related visas
More visas in Malaysia
Work visas in other countries
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