Key Points
- Beginning May 2, 2025, Malaysia will enable ESD-registered companies to appeal rejected Employment Pass (EP) and
- Professional Visit Pass-Expert (PVP) applications online.
- Appeals must be filed within six months of the rejection date.
- Manual appeal submissions via email or the MYXpats Centre will no longer be accepted after May 1, 2025.
Overview
Malaysia’s Expatriate Services Division (ESD) will launch a new online process for work pass appeal submissions on May 2, 2025. This digital transition allows ESD-registered companies to appeal rejected Employment Pass (EP) and Professional Visit Pass-Expert (PVP) applications through the ESD portal, significantly streamlining the appeals process. Upon official rejection of a work pass application, an “Appeal” button will appear within the system, enabling employers to file an appeal without relying on manual documentation or in-person visits.
This update is part of broader government efforts to enhance administrative efficiency and reduce processing timelines for expatriate hiring. Employers must submit appeals within six months of the rejection notice, and no refunds will be issued for any submitted appeal, regardless of the outcome. Notably, from May 1, 2025, manual submissions via email or the MYXpats Centre will no longer be accepted, making the online platform the sole channel for appeal processing. This policy is expected to promote clarity and transparency in the decision-review process while giving employers greater control and visibility over their submissions.
Looking Ahead
Companies engaging foreign talent in Malaysia should prepare for the transition by ensuring their ESD registrations are up to date and that relevant personnel are trained on the new portal features. Employers are advised to closely monitor rejection notifications to take advantage of the six-month appeal window. The shift to a digital appeal process also aligns with broader government strategies to modernize immigration workflows, and additional improvements to the work authorization system may follow.
