Expatriate Visas (ESD & EP) & Dependent Pass Services
Secure Expatriate Employment & Dependent Passes
for Your Operating Business in Malaysia
Bring foreign directors, high-level executives, and technical specialists to Malaysia legally. For companies with active business operations (minimum 6 to 12 months, assessed case by case) and preparation for their first audited financial report, we manage the entire ESD corporate account registration, paid-up capital verification (including Member Resolutions, Share Application Letters, and SSM statutory form filings), Employment Pass (EP) quotas, and family Dependent Passes from start to finish.
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Top-Rated Corporate Services Group in Malaysia (4.9/5.0 Stars with 119+ Verified Google Reviews)
Transparent, itemized pricing with zero hidden charges. Direct assessment of your paid-up capital, operational track record, and applicant profiles before submission.
24-Hour Same-Day Reply Guarantee & End-to-End MYXpats Liaison. From ESD corporate account activation to endorsement at the Expatriate Services Division.
The Zepheus Advantage
Why Choose Zepheus for Expatriate Mobility & ESD Visas?
1
Corporate Secretarial & Regulatory Background
16+ Years of Practical Corporate Advisory Experience: Expert understanding of Malaysian equity structures, minimum paid-up capital thresholds, and immigration requirements for foreign-owned and joint-venture entities.
2
Operational Readiness & First Audit Preparation
Comprehensive Pre-Application Audit: Ensuring your company meets the operational requirements (assessed case by case between 6 to 12 months), coordinating preparation for your first audited financial report, valid commercial tenancy, local council premise licenses, and EPF/SOCSO records before ESD submission.
3
Cross-Border Business & Chamber Network
Active Member of key Malaysian trade associations (JCI, Malaysia Entrepreneurs' Development Association (PUMM), Chinese Entrepreneur Association (CEA), Hainanese Association), providing deep cross-border business network insight for international founders and expatriate talent.
4
Transparent & Reliable Service
4.9-Star Google Rating across 119+ verified reviews. Clear upfront quotation detailing government fees, ESD charges, and professional service fees with zero hidden costs.
Mandatory Company Eligibility & Operational Requirements
Under Malaysian Immigration (ESD) guidelines, companies applying for an ESD corporate account and expatriate quotas must fulfill key operational milestones:
Active Business Operations (Minimum 6 to 12 Months, Case-by-Case)
- The company must have established real operational activity for a minimum of 6 to 12 months, evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on industry sector.
- Supporting Proof: Active corporate bank statements showing continuous business cash flows, commercial sales contracts/invoices, utility bills, and EPF/SOCSO contribution records for local staff.
Preparation for First Audited Report
- Preparation and finalization of the company's first audited financial statement prior to application, demonstrating financial substance and going-concern capability.
Minimum Paid-Up Capital Thresholds & Documentation
- 100% Malaysian-Owned Company: Minimum RM 250,000 paid-up capital.
- Joint Venture (Malaysian + Foreign Equity with min. 30% local): Minimum RM 350,000 paid-up capital.
- 100% Foreign-Owned Company: Minimum RM 500,000 paid-up capital (or RM 1,000,000 if involved in Wholesale, Retail Trade / WRT sectors).
- Statutory Capital Structuring Documentation: Capital injections require formal Share Application Letters, Member Resolutions (Section 75/76 CA 2016), Directors' Written Resolutions, bank deposit proofs, and official SSM statutory form filings.
Physical Commercial Office & Premise License
- The company must operate from a physical commercial office with a tenancy agreement of at least 1 year (virtual offices and residential addresses are strictly rejected).
- Must hold a valid local council (PBT) business premise license.
Employment Pass (EP) Categories & Family Dependent Visas
Pass Type
Target Role & Profile
Minimum Monthly Salary
Pass Duration & Benefits
Employment Pass Category I
Top Executives, Managing Directors & C-Suite
RM 10,000 and above
Up to 5 Years (Renewable). Eligible to hire domestic helper and bring Dependents (Spouse, Children, Parents).
Employment Pass Category II
Senior Managers & Specialized Professionals
RM 5,000 to RM 9,999
Up to 2 Years (Renewable). Eligible to bring Dependents (Spouse & Children under 21).
Employment Pass Category III
Skilled Technical Specialists & Knowledge Workers
RM 3,000 to RM 4,999
Up to 12 Months (Maximum 2 renewals). Exemption required; not eligible for Dependents.
Dependent Pass (DP)
Spouse and Unmarried Children (Under 21 years old)
Tied to EP Holder (Cat I & II)
Matches the validity of the principal EP holder's visa pass.
Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP)
Parents and Parents-in-Law of EP Category I Holders
Tied to EP Holder (Cat I only)
Renewable annual social visit pass for immediate family elders.
End-to-End ESD & Visa Services Scope
Stage 1
Pre-Submission Readiness, Paid-Up Capital Structuring & First Audit Preparation
- Operations & First Audit Review: Screening your operational proof (6 to 12 months track record) and coordinating the preparation of the first audited financial report.
- Paid-Up Capital Structuring Package: Preparing formal Share Application Letters from subscribers, drafting Member Resolutions authorizing the allotment of shares (Section 75/76 of CA 2016), executing Directors' Written Resolutions, verifying bank deposit slips, and completing official SSM statutory form filings.
- Position Justification: Drafting corporate organizational charts and specialized job scope justifications for foreign talent.
Stage 2
ESD Corporate Account Registration & Activation
- Online ESD Account Lodgment: Registering company profile, board structure, and operational details on the official Immigration ESD portal.
- Letter of Undertaking (LoU) Signing: Preparing and coordinating the signing of the Letter of Undertaking by company directors.
- Portal Verification & Account Activation: Managing communication with ESD officers until the corporate account is fully activated.
Stage 3
Employment Pass (EP) Application & Document Processing
- Candidate Document Screening: Verifying academic degrees, resume track records, and professional certifications.
- Employment Contract Structuring: Drafting compliant Malaysian employment contracts meeting statutory salary and benefits requirements.
- EP Position Submission: Lodging the visa application on the MYXpats system and tracking approval status.
Stage 4
Approval Letter (e-Visa), Dependent Passes & Passport Endorsement
- Approval Letter Issuance: Securing the official ESD Approval Letter / Single Entry Visa (SEV) reference for the candidate.
- Dependent Pass (DP) Processing: Submitting applications for spouse, children, or parents with certified marriage/birth certificates.
- Passport Endorsement & Sticker Collection: Coordinating the final visa sticker endorsement at MYXpats Centre / Immigration Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions about incorporating and running your Malaysian business digitally with Zepheus.
Why is the first audited financial report required before applying for ESD and Employment Passes?
Immigration authorities scrutinize company financials to ensure the entity has sufficient revenue and capital to sustain expatriate payroll. Preparing and submitting your first audited report gives your ESD application strong credibility and substantially increases your quota approval rate.
What secretarial documents are legally required when increasing paid-up capital for ESD requirements?
To legally increase paid-up capital, the company must execute: (1) formal Share Application Letters signed by the incoming subscribers/shareholders, (2) Member Resolutions approving the allotment of shares under Section 75/76 of the Companies Act 2016, (3) Directors' Written Resolutions confirming share issuance upon receiving bank funds, and (4) official SSM statutory form filings.
What is the difference between an ESD account and an Employment Pass (EP)?
An ESD account is the corporate-level portal registration that authorizes your Malaysian company to employ foreign talent. The Employment Pass (EP) is the individual visa granted to the specific expatriate director or executive once the company is approved.
What is the minimum paid-up capital required for a 100% foreign-owned company to hire expatriates?
For a 100% foreign-owned Sdn Bhd, the minimum paid-up capital required by immigration is RM 500,000 for standard services/consulting, or RM 1,000,000 if your company is involved in Wholesale, Retail Trade (WRT) and distribution sectors.
Can I bring my spouse and children to Malaysia under an Employment Pass?
Yes. Holders of Employment Pass Category I (salary RM 10,000+) and Category II (salary RM 5,000 to RM 9,999) are eligible to apply for Dependent Passes (DP) for their legal spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old.
Can the spouse of an Employment Pass holder work in Malaysia?
A spouse holding a Dependent Pass cannot work automatically. However, if the spouse secures a job offer from a Malaysian employer, the employer can apply to the Immigration Department to endorse permission to work on their Dependent Pass without cancelling it.
Can an Employment Pass (EP) holder act as a Resident Director for a Malaysian Sdn Bhd?
Yes. Under Section 196(4) of the Companies Act 2016, a Malaysian company must have at least one director who ordinarily resides in Malaysia by having a principal place of residence in Malaysia. An expatriate who holds an approved Employment Pass (EP) and resides locally qualifies to act as the company's local resident director.
Does our company need a physical commercial office for ESD registration?
Yes. ESD strictly requires a physical, dedicated commercial office with a tenancy agreement of at least 1 year, utility bills, and a valid local council (PBT) business premise license. Applications using virtual offices or residential addresses are rejected.
What happens if a Director's Employment Pass (EP) fails to process or is not approved by Immigration? Will Zepheus refund the fees?
Zepheus commits our professional expertise to thoroughly vet your documents and arrange the submission for the highest success rate. However, the final visa approval authority rests solely with the Immigration Department of Malaysia (ESD / MYXpats). If the application is rejected due to authority discretion or reasons not caused by our fault, professional and government fees are non-refundable. If an application requires rectification due to errors, omissions, or inaccurate information provided by the client, our team can assist in resubmitting and appealing the application for an additional rectification fee.
DISCLAIMER: The information, criteria, paid-up capital thresholds, processing timelines, and statutory guidelines outlined above are for reference purposes only and are subject to change over time by the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM / ESD / MYXpats) without prior notice. Final visa issuance and quota approvals remain at the sole discretion of the Malaysian Immigration authorities.
Malaysian Immigration & Mobility
Fast-Track Your Key Personnel & Director Employment Passes.
Navigate ESD registration, paid-up capital thresholds, first audited report preparation, and MYXpats criteria with high-approval document vetting and professional corporate representation.
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