Updated Submittal Process for Malaysia EP Applications

December 11, 2025

Effective Nov. 1, 2025, Employment Pass (EP) applications in Malaysia’s eastern state of Sarawak must be submitted via a new online platform. Previously, Sarawak work permit applications were customarily prepared and submitted manually at Sarawak immigration offices.

As the state of Sarawak maintains autonomy over its own immigration borders, non-Sarawakians (i.e. Malaysians from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, as well as foreign nationals) are required to obtain a work permit to work in Sarawak.

The Immigration Labour Management Unit (ILMU) recently launched the “Advanced Labour & Immigration Aligned Network for Compliance System (ALIANCE)” platform for new EP applications. Companies are required to create an account on ALIANCE before they can submit new EP applications via the Gateway & Employment for Non-Sarawakians (GENESIS) portal , on the ALIANCE platform.

The launch of the new online platform is part of the ILMU’s “Foreign Workers Transformation Approach” project, which aims to simplify, digitize and streamline the work permit application process. Currently, only new EP applications must be submitted via the online platform.

The authorities are planning to expand the online platform to include EP renewals, Professional Visit Pass (PVP) and Dependent Pass (DP) applications in the future.

For further information related to Malaysia immigration process changes, please reach out to Clark Hill’s APAC team at apac@clarkhill.com

Authored by Melvin Ng, APAC/EMEA Immigration Manager

This publication is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a solicitation to provide legal services. The information in this publication is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel. The views and opinions expressed herein represent those of the individual author only and are not necessarily the views of Clark Hill PLC. Although we attempt to ensure that postings on our website are complete, accurate, and up to date, we assume no responsibility for their completeness, accuracy, or timeliness.

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