Last updated: September 2026
The PLKS is the work permit that lets a foreign worker stay and work legally in Malaysia for one employer. It is usually valid for one year at a time, and your employer must renew it before it expires and pay the yearly levy. You should never pay the levy yourself, and your boss is not allowed to keep your passport.
Quick summary
- PLKS = Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara, also called VP(TE) or Visit Pass (Temporary Employment).
- It is tied to one employer and is normally renewed every year.
- Employers should start renewal about 3 months before expiry.
- The levy (RM410 to RM1,850 a year, by sector and region) is paid by the employer.
- Minimum wage is RM1,700 a month for all employers since 1 August 2025.
- Holding a worker’s passport is against the law.
- Complain to the Labour Department (JTK) or through the Working for Workers app.
What Is PLKS or VP(TE)?
PLKS stands for Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara. In English it is the Visit Pass (Temporary Employment), or VP(TE). It is the permit given to foreign workers in approved sectors such as manufacturing, construction, services, plantation, agriculture and mining.
The PLKS is issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia. It is linked to your employer, your job sector and your passport. If you leave that employer or your PLKS expires, you are no longer legal to work.
In July 2026 the government moved foreign worker quota approvals to the Human Resources Ministry. Employers now apply for quotas through the eQuota module of the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS). The Home Ministry still handles security matters.
Your Employer’s Responsibilities
Under Malaysian law, most of the paperwork and cost is the employer’s duty. Since the Employment Act amendments in 2023, an employer must get approval from the Director General of Labour before hiring a foreign worker.
- Apply for and renew your PLKS on time.
- Pay the annual foreign worker levy. Since 1 January 2018 the employer must bear the levy.
- Arrange your medical check (FOMEMA) and required insurance when needed.
- Pay at least the minimum wage, on time, with a payslip.
- Contribute to your EPF and SOCSO accounts.
- Provide proper housing if the employer supplies accommodation.
- Let you keep your own passport.
Foreign Worker Levy Rates
The levy is a yearly charge paid to the government for each foreign worker. These are the flat rates set in 2018 that are still widely used by employers. The government has announced a new Multi-Tier Levy Mechanism (MTLM), where firms that depend more on foreign workers pay more. It was pushed back to 2026, but rates and a start date had not been confirmed at the time of writing.
| Sector | Peninsular Malaysia (per year) | Sabah and Sarawak (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | RM1,850 | RM1,010 |
| Construction | RM1,850 | RM1,010 |
| Services | RM1,850 | RM1,490 |
| Plantation | RM640 | RM590 |
| Agriculture | RM640 | RM410 |
If your employer cuts the levy from your salary, that is a complaint you can take to the Labour Department.
When and How Is PLKS Renewed?
Renewal is usually done once a year. Employers are advised to start about three months before the expiry date. This gives time for medical checks, insurance, levy payment and processing.
Typical renewal steps (done by the employer)
- Check that your passport has enough validity left. Renew it at your embassy first if needed.
- Complete the FOMEMA medical examination if it is required for that year.
- Make sure insurance and SOCSO registration are active.
- Submit the renewal online through an Immigration-approved channel, such as MyEG, or through the channel the Immigration Department directs.
- Pay the levy and processing fees.
- Receive the renewed PLKS and give you a copy.
Before you sign any renewal papers, ask for a copy of your contract and check your salary and job details.
How to Check Your Permit Status
There is no single public app just for workers, so the best approach is to use more than one method.
- Look at your passport or pass record. Your PLKS details and expiry date are linked to your passport. Keep a photo of this page on your phone.
- Ask your employer or HR for a copy of the renewal receipt or approval. You have a right to know your legal status.
- Use the official Immigration website (imi.gov.my) and its status inquiry services, or visit the nearest Immigration office with your passport.
- If you are unsure, contact your embassy’s labour section. For Nepali workers, this is the Embassy of Nepal in Kuala Lumpur.
Be careful of agents on Facebook or TikTok who say they can “check” or “fix” your permit for a fee. Immigration has arrested fake agents in the past.
Passport Retention Is Illegal
Your passport belongs to the government of your country, not to your employer. Under Section 12(1)(f) of Malaysia’s Passports Act 1966, it is an offence for someone to hold another person’s passport without lawful reason. An employer may take it briefly to renew your permit, but must give it back.
Keeping a worker’s passport can also be a sign of forced labour. If your employer refuses to return it, report this to the Labour Department or the police, and tell your embassy.
Minimum Wage and Other Rights
Malaysia’s minimum wage is RM1,700 per month. It started on 1 February 2025 for employers with five or more workers, and on 1 August 2025 for all employers. The National Wages Consultative Council has confirmed it applies to foreign workers too. In August 2026 the government said it is reviewing the RM1,700 rate, but no new amount had been announced.
| Right | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Working hours | Maximum 45 hours a week (since 1 January 2023) |
| Minimum wage | RM1,700 per month |
| EPF (retirement savings) | 2% from you and 2% from employer, starting with October 2025 wages |
| Maternity leave | 98 days |
| Paternity leave | 7 days for eligible married male employees |
Domestic workers are not covered by the new EPF rule. When you leave Malaysia for good, you can apply to withdraw your EPF savings, starting two months before your work permit expires.
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Undocumented Workers: Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0
If your permit has already expired and you want to go home, Malaysia is running the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0. It lets undocumented migrants return home voluntarily by paying a compound, without being prosecuted. The Immigration Department has extended it until 31 May 2027.
People who are blacklisted, wanted by authorities, or who registered in earlier programmes but did not leave are not eligible. Go directly to an Immigration office, not an agent.
How to Complain
- Collect evidence: contract, payslips, bank records, passport copy, photos and messages.
- File a complaint with the Labour Department of Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) through the eAduan app or the JTKSM website, or visit the nearest JTK office.
- You can also use the Working for Workers app from the Human Resources Ministry. It accepts complaints from local and foreign workers.
- Workers in Sabah or Sarawak should contact the labour department of their state.
- Save your complaint number and follow up.
- Contact your embassy. Nepali workers can reach the Embassy of Nepal in Kuala Lumpur for help and advice.
The JTKSM general line is 03-8000 8000. For minimum wage questions, the ministry also runs minimumwages.mohr.gov.my.
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FAQ
Who pays the PLKS levy?
The employer. Since 2018, employers must bear the foreign worker levy. It should not be taken from your salary.
How long is a PLKS valid?
It is normally valid for up to one year and must be renewed each year by your employer.
Can my employer keep my passport?
No. Holding another person’s passport without lawful reason is an offence under the Passports Act 1966. It may only be taken briefly for permit renewal.
Does the RM1,700 minimum wage apply to foreign workers?
Yes. It applies to both local and foreign workers, and to all employers since 1 August 2025.
What if my PLKS has expired?
Speak to your employer and embassy immediately. If you want to go home, you may qualify for the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0, which runs until 31 May 2027.
Can I change employer on my PLKS?
A PLKS is tied to one employer. Any change needs approval from the authorities, so do not move jobs without proper paperwork.
Sources
- JTKSM: Labour complaints
- EPF (KWSP): Contribution for non-Malaysian citizen employees
- The Star: New RM1,700 minimum wage takes effect
- The Star: Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0 extended to May 2027
- The Edge Malaysia: Employers to pay foreign worker levy from 1 January 2018
- The Star: Foreign worker management under Human Resources Ministry
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees can change, so always confirm with the Immigration Department, the Labour Department or your embassy.
