The Minister of Economic Affairs has recently announced the implementation of a new system known as Xpats Gateway, with the aim of improving efficiency and reducing the processing time for expatriate work permit applications.
Background
The phased rollout of the Xpats Gateway system commenced on June 15, 2023, under the leadership of TalentCorp. The second phase will involve the integration of the system with existing platforms used by agencies such as the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) by August 15, 2023.
Impact
The primary objective of this innovative system is to streamline the approval process for Employment Pass (EP) applications, resulting in faster and more efficient processing. Sectors that are not under the purview of Approving Regulatory Bodies will still require employers to obtain Support Letters directly from the respective agencies until the full implementation of Xpats Gateway.
Currently, the process of hiring professional expatriates and obtaining their employment passes can take up to 80 days, depending on the sector. However, with the introduction of the Xpats Gateway system, it is anticipated that the visa application and approval process will be significantly shortened, potentially taking as little as 20 days or even less.
Implementation Date
June 15, 2023
Eos Global Expansion Recommendation
The implementation of the Xpats Gateway system represents an exciting advancement that will benefit both employers and expatriates by streamlining and expediting the work permit application process. As we continue to receive more information regarding the implementation of Xpats Gateway, we will provide further updates.
Eos Global Expansion has been providing an employer of record solution in Malaysia for both foreigners and locals for many years. We welcome this initiative from the Malaysian Government as it is anticipated it will very much streamline the Employment Pass process for eligible foreigners.
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