MalaysiaFamily

Malaysia Dependant Pass and family visas for expatriates

Dependant Pass and Long-Term Social Visit Pass for families of expatriates

In short

Family members of an Employment Pass holder join through the employer's ESD account. Spouses and children under 18 receive a Dependant Pass; parents, parents-in-law and children over 18 receive a Long-Term Social Visit Pass. Both follow the principal's pass validity, and neither allows work.

Apply on Expatriate Services Division (ESD) checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Validity
Follows the principal's Employment Pass, or the dependant's passport if shorter; LT-SVP approvals are for up to 12 months at a time.
Fee
MYR 540ESD application fee per Dependant Pass or LT-SVP (RM500 plus 8% SST); immigration fee RM90 per year plus RM50 processing and the visa fee.
Processing time
Five working days under the MYXpats client charter.
Work
No; a family member who wants to work needs their own Employment Pass.
Where to apply
The employer applies through ESD, together with the principal or later.

Who can join an expatriate

The Dependant Pass covers the spouse and biological or legally adopted children under 18. The Long-Term Social Visit Pass covers parents, parents-in-law and children over 18. Under the June 2026 Employment Pass policy, holders in all three salary categories may bring dependants, and children aged 18 to 25 are placed on social visit passes.

Holders of a Professional Visit Pass cannot bring dependants. Families of RP-T, MTEP Established Entrepreneur, DE Rantau and MM2H holders follow the rules of those programmes.

Documents

The employer uploads the family member's passport, the marriage certificate for a spouse or birth or adoption papers for children, and a photo. Papers in a language other than English or Malay should come with a translation; the ESD Online Guidebook checklist sets the exact format the employer must upload.

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport photo meeting ESD specifications

Travel

  • Passport of the family member (all pages)

Work

  • Copy of the principal's valid Employment Pass or approval

Family

  • Marriage certificate (spouse) or birth or adoption certificate (children)

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Other

  • English translations of documents issued in another language

Fees

Since 1 September 2024 the ESD fee is RM500 per Dependant Pass or LT-SVP application (RM540 with SST). At endorsement the Immigration Department charges RM90 per year of approval and RM50 processing, plus the visa fee; for a 12-month approval the official example totals RM146.

How it works

Dependants can be submitted together with the principal's Employment Pass or added once it is approved. Family members from countries outside the VDR exemption list should check the approval letter for a visa-with-reference requirement before travelling. After arrival the employer files the endorsement, and the ePASS is issued about one working day after payment.

  1. Confirm the principal holds or is applying for an Employment Pass.
  2. Gather passports and civil status documents with English translations.
  3. The employer submits the Dependant Pass or LT-SVP application in ESD and pays the fee.
  4. After approval, family members obtain any VDR and travel to Malaysia.
  5. The employer files the endorsement and pays the immigration fees; the ePASS is issued.

Forms

Rights and limits

Dependant Pass and LT-SVP holders may live and study in Malaysia but cannot work on these passes. The passes end with the principal's Employment Pass, for example if the job ends and the pass is shortened.

Frequently asked questions

Can my parents live with me in Malaysia on my Employment Pass?

Yes. Parents and parents-in-law can receive a Long-Term Social Visit Pass linked to your Employment Pass.

Can a Dependant Pass holder work?

No. They need their own Employment Pass.

How long is a Dependant Pass valid?

As long as the principal's pass, or until the dependant's passport expires if that is earlier.

Can I bring family on a Professional Visit Pass?

No. PVP holders are not entitled to a Dependant Pass.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Malaysia

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Set by the immigration officer at entry; the usual period depends on nationality.
  • Transit visa Processing time: Set by the Malaysian mission where you apply; apply at least three working days before the flight.

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Social visit pass: as stamped at entry. MEV: 30 days per entry.
  • Entrepreneur and start-up visa Maximum stay: New: 1 year plus 1 renewal. Established: up to 5 years plus one 5-year renewal.
  • Investor visa Maximum stay: Six months, with a possible six-month extension.

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Pass duration follows the course, renewed as needed.

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: Each pass up to 60 months, following the employment contract; total tenure up to 10 years (Categories I and II) or 5 years (Category III).
  • Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months per issuance; training at a factory or hotel up to six months.
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Approved for 10 years; the ePASS is first issued for five years or the passport validity, then renewed to complete 10 years.
  • Digital nomad visa Maximum stay: 3 to 12 months, renewable for 12 more months; 24 months in total.

Family

Residence

Online travel permits

Protection

Malaysia visa guide