Malaysia plans to let spouses of expatriates in Category I Employment Pass roles work from Jan. 1, 2027, a move the government says is meant to strengthen the country’s appeal to skilled foreign workers.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the measure Oct. 9 while presenting Supply Bill 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat. It covers Dependant Pass holders whose partners have Category I Employment Passes. The budget speech says permission will be subject to conditions but does not specify them.
The government describes Category I roles as involving strategic positions and critical expertise. Immigration rules that took effect June 1, 2026, set the category’s minimum monthly salary at RM20,000. The budget announcement gave no estimate of how many spouses may qualify.
Accounts of employment difficulties among expatriate families are anecdotal. CNA reported that relocation adviser Joshua Webley had encountered families who left Malaysia after three months when a spouse could not find work. Arulkumar Singaraveloo, chief executive of the Malaysia HR Forum, told CNA that a long break from work can affect a spouse’s professional identity and financial independence, as well as the ability to return to a job.
Jobstreet by SEEK’s Decoding Global Talent 2024 report placed Malaysia 21st as a work destination, down from 19th in 2020. Its 2023 survey included 150,735 people in more than 180 countries. Among respondents who considered Malaysia, 60% cited job opportunities and 44% cited a family-friendly environment. The survey recorded preferences; it did not measure whether spouse work rights affect relocation or retention.
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) welcomed the policy, saying it could help employers attract and retain talent. That is the industry group’s assessment; no results after implementation are available yet.
Official documents also describe the existing work route for Dependant Pass holders differently. An Expatriate Services Division notice says a holder seeking work should apply for an Employment Pass through a company, with surrender or shortening of the Dependant Pass applying when the holder accepts an Employment Pass offer. A Jan. 12, 2022, Immigration Department FAQ says a spouse may work while keeping a Dependant Pass after receiving a work endorsement.
The new permission is scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2027. The budget speech gives no deadline for further guidance on its conditions.
