Moving to Malaysia and Finding Work: A Quick Guide

Finding work by itself can sometimes be a daunting experience, but it can all be even more overwhelming if you are moving to a different country and need to find employment in a new place. Not only does the whole process involve finding a suitable job, but you’ll also likely need to apply for and be accepted for a visa that allows you to work legally in the country, find somewhere new to live, get used to new local customs and culture, and go through the entire process of upheaving your life from someplace else, and moving somewhere new.

If you’ve thought it all through and still want to live and work elsewhere in the world, Malaysia is a great choice. A cheap cost of living, great weather, excellent food, a friendly culture, and English as a main language mean that Malaysia is becoming a very popular choice. If you are interested in living and working in Malaysia, here are some tips for finding work.

Check Your Eligibility

Before you start looking for a job in Malaysia, make sure that you are actually eligible to work there. There are various work passes and permits that you might be able to get, so spend some time checking which ones you are eligible for and how to make the application. You will usually need to have the relevant experience and required qualifications to work in the field you are interested in. Along with this, most work visas in Malaysia will require that you have a job offer in place and will be earning a minimum salary amount, so keep this in mind.

Planning the Move

Since you will need to have a job offer in place before you can qualify for a work visa in Malaysia, it’s a good idea to start planning your move, so you can show employers you are serious about living and working there. Buying a property in Malaysia is possible even if you are not from the country, and there are many great areas where you can find modern town houses and terraced houses for sale. Alternatively, you can find somewhere to rent when you first move to the country and buy later on when you are more familiar with your new home. You can get all the information you need about finding a place to rent or buy in places like Jade Hills at Property Guru, which is the top property site in the country providing helpful information, property rent and sale listings, and more.

Deciding on a Job

Once you have some solid plans in place, it’s time to start looking for a suitable job for you. Consider your previous experience and qualifications; you are more likely to get an offer if you apply for a role that you are prepared for and have previous experience in, especially if it’s in a highly sought after area like healthcare or IT, for example. Of course, there may also be the option in the future to retrain in a different industry, or even start your own business in Malaysia. But right now, applying for work that you’re qualified to do is usually the best way in.

Finding a Position

It is possible to find and apply for a job in Malaysia before you have moved to the country, thanks to the fact that most applications are done online. Employers that are happy to employ people who are moving from overseas may also be willing to go through a remote interviewing process with you before offering you the job, allowing you to start the process of getting your visa and making the move. There are several different job websites and boards that you may find worth looking through to find suitable positions to apply for. Many websites are available for foreigners in particular who are looking for work and to move to the country.

Getting Your Work Visa or Permit

Once you have applied for a job, have been offered the position and everything has been finalized, the next step is to send in your application for a work pass in Malaysia. You should do this as soon as you get a job offer in order to speed the process up and to allow you to move and begin working as soon as possible. To get the permit, you will need to provide evidence that you have the right qualifications for the job that you have been offered. You’ll also need to prove that the employer has agreed to pay you no less than RM3,000 monthly. You will then pay for your work pass at the Malaysian Immigration Department once you arrive in the country. Your application will be processed, before you get a work permit card allowing you to start your new job.

Malaysia is a welcoming country with great weather, amazing food, friendly locals and a low cost of living. If you have always dreamed of finding work and starting a new life somewhere else, it’s definitely worth considering.