Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T)

The Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) is a long-term residence and work permit allowing highly skilled foreign professionals to live and work in Malaysia for up to 10 years without being tied to any specific employer. Introduced in 2011 by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), the programme targets exceptional expatriate talent already established in Malaysia. Unlike the standard Employment Pass, the RP-T provides full employer independence -- holders can freely change employers, start businesses, or operate as self-employed professionals without additional approvals.

• Minimum 3 consecutive years of employment in Malaysia under a valid Employment Pass
• Valid Employment Pass with more than 3 months remaining validity
• Basic monthly salary of at least MYR 15,000 (excluding allowances and bonuses)
• Malaysian income tax file number with income tax paid for at least the most recent 2 years
• PhD, Master's, Bachelor's degree, or diploma from a recognised university, or a professional/competency certificate from a recognised professional institute
• Minimum 5 years of total work experience

• Valid passport with minimum 18 months remaining validity
• Current valid Employment Pass and all approval letters covering 3+ years
• Employment contract stamped by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN)
• Latest job description on company letterhead
• 12 months of salary slips
• Latest 2 years of income tax declaration slips (e-BE and EA Forms) with proof of tax paid
• Academic certificates and professional qualifications
• Employer support or no-objection letter
• Passport-sized photographs (3.5 x 5.0 cm, light blue background)

The application proceeds in two stages. Stage 1: submit online via the RP-T portal at rpt.talentcorp.com.my. TalentCorp reviews the application and documents over approximately 21 working days, plus 10 working days for notification. Stage 2: upon approval, pay the processing fee and submit the endorsement application to the Immigration Department's Expatriate Services Division, complete biometric capture, and pay immigration fees. Endorsement takes approximately 7 working days. The endorsement must be completed within 6 months of the approval date. Total processing is approximately 8-12 weeks.

The RP-T is valid for 10 years. Renewal requires applying within 6 months of the expiry date, demonstrating continued employment in Malaysia for minimum 3 consecutive years, earning at least MYR 15,000 basic monthly salary, and having paid income tax for the most recent 5 years (increased from 2 years, effective 1 August 2025). Renewal is subject to panel discretion.

Legal spouses and children under 18 are eligible for RP-T Dependant Passes valid for the same period as the principal holder's pass. Spouses may seek employment in Malaysia without applying for a separate Employment Pass. Children under 18 may pursue primary and secondary education in Malaysian schools; higher/tertiary education is not covered under the dependant arrangement. Dependant passes expire concurrently with the principal holder's pass.

RP-T holders are not tied to any employer and may work for any company in Malaysia, change employers freely, start their own businesses, or operate as self-employed professionals. No additional approvals are required for job changes. Priority sectors include oil and gas, information technology, financial services, biotechnology, green technology, aerospace, healthcare, education, and creative industries.

• Principal applicant: MYR 540 (inclusive of 8% SST)
• Total estimated cost including immigration endorsement: approximately MYR 2,090 for the principal, MYR 1,590 for a spouse, MYR 590 per child
• Multiple Entry Visa: MYR 500 if required

RP-T holders are subject to Malaysian income tax on Malaysian-sourced income. Individuals present in Malaysia for 182+ days per year are tax residents, taxed at progressive rates from 0% to 30%. Non-residents are taxed at a flat 30%. Foreign-sourced income remitted to Malaysia by tax residents is exempt from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036, provided it was taxed in the country of origin.

• Only available to foreign nationals already working in Malaysia on an Employment Pass; there is no direct application route without prior Malaysian employment history
• The RP-T replaces the existing Employment Pass upon endorsement and includes a Multiple Entry Visa
• Does not automatically lead to Permanent Residency; separate PR application is required after minimum 5 years of legal residence
• The pass remains valid during periods of unemployment, though prolonged joblessness may affect renewal prospects
• Self-employed sole proprietors with no employees may sign their own no-objection letter

From 1 June 2026, Malaysia's Employment Pass salary thresholds are being significantly revised: Category I rises from MYR 10,000 to MYR 20,000/month, with employment duration caps of 5-10 years introduced across all EP categories. While the RP-T's own minimum salary of MYR 15,000 has not changed, these EP reforms are significant because RP-T eligibility requires 3 consecutive years of prior EP employment -- meaning future RP-T applicants entering on a new Category I EP from June 2026 onward will already be earning at least MYR 20,000. Industry observers expect similar threshold revisions for the RP-T, though no official announcement has been made. These changes are part of the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (RMK-13, 2026-2030), which targets reducing the foreign workforce proportion from 14.1% to 10% by 2030 and 5% by 2035.