12 Source Countries Sarawak Employers Can Hire From (2026)
Citra Excel
Sarawak decides which countries a foreign worker can come from, and the answer differs for general and skilled workers. The lists on GENESIS, the state's application portal, have widened since March 2026: general workers, previously Indonesian only, can now also come from India and the Philippines. Here are the 12 source countries and what each one covers.
The 12 Approved Source Countries
Indonesia
General workers in every listed sector; skilled workers in every listed sector; domestic helpers
India
General workers in every listed sector; skilled workers in every listed sector
Philippines
General workers in every listed sector; skilled workers in every listed sector; domestic helpers
Bangladesh
Skilled workers in every listed sector, including reflexology and textile/bookstore supervisor
Thailand
Skilled workers — plantation, manufacturing, construction, logging, mining, cook, vehicle workshop, reflexology
Cambodia
Skilled workers — plantation, manufacturing, construction, logging, mining, cook, vehicle workshop, reflexology
Vietnam
Skilled workers — plantation, manufacturing, construction, logging, mining, cook, vehicle workshop, reflexology
Laos
Skilled workers — plantation, manufacturing, construction, logging, mining, cook, vehicle workshop
Myanmar
Skilled workers — plantation, manufacturing, construction, logging, mining, cook, vehicle workshop
Nepal
Skilled workers — plantation, manufacturing, construction, logging, mining, cook, vehicle workshop
Pakistan
Skilled workers — plantation, manufacturing, construction, logging, mining, cook, vehicle workshop
China
Skilled workers — dams, hydro and bridge works, mining/quarry, reflexology, cook
Choosing the Right Source Country
The choice of source country depends on several factors:
- Industry sector — Some countries have more experience in certain industries. Indonesian workers are very common in plantation and domestic work, while Bangladeshi workers are well-represented in construction.
- Language — Indonesian workers often adapt well in Malaysia due to the similarity between Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Malaysia.
- Availability — Worker supply varies by country and can change based on bilateral agreements and local conditions in the source country.
- Cultural compatibility — For domestic helper placements in particular, cultural and religious alignment with the employer family is often considered.
Source Countries by Sector
From the GENESIS lists as they stand now. "All except China" comes up often: China is approved only for dam, hydro and bridge works, mining and quarry, reflexology, and cooks.
| Sector | General workers | Skilled workers |
|---|---|---|
| Plantation | Indonesia, India, Philippines | All except China (11 countries) |
| Manufacturing | Indonesia, India, Philippines | All except China (11 countries) |
| Construction | Indonesia, India, Philippines | Buildings, housing, highways and infrastructure: all except China (11) Dams, hydro, bridges and high-tension cable: all 12 countries |
| Logging | Indonesia, India, Philippines | All except China (11 countries) |
| Mining & Quarry | Indonesia, India, Philippines | All 12 countries |
| Services | Indonesia, India, Philippines (restaurant, coffee house and hotel restaurant; laundromat; recycle waste) | Cook: all 12 countries Vehicle workshop: all except China (11) Reflexology (spa masseur/therapist): Indonesia, India, Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China Textile shop/bookstore supervisor: Indonesia, India, Philippines, Bangladesh |
| Domestic Helpers | Nine countries approved: Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Laos, Nepal (Citra Excel currently places Indonesian helpers) | |
General Workers vs Skilled Workers
This is the split that matters most. General worker positions are open to nationals of Indonesia, India and the Philippines, in every sector GENESIS lists. Until this year Indonesia stood alone here; India and the Philippines were added to the general-worker list after March 2026. Workers from the other nine countries can only be hired as skilled workers, and only in the sectors approved for their country.
GENESIS also notes that these lists are not a hard ceiling: an employer can apply for a source country that is not listed, and the Approval in Principle (AP) is then decided case by case by the Sarawak Government.
For skilled professionals and expatriates applying for an Employment Pass or Professional Visit Pass, there is no restriction to these 12 countries. Professionals from any country may apply, subject to meeting the qualification and experience requirements.
However, Employment Passes are not available for all sectors. EP applications are not accepted for spas, hair salons, mini markets, cafes, hawkers, manpower agencies, scrap dealers, and similar businesses. The minimum salary for an EP2 is RM3,000/month and RM5,000/month for an EP1.
A Note on Sarawak
Sarawak manages its own immigration system under the Immigration Act 1959/63. The source-country lists come from the Sarawak Labour Department's own criteria for AP applications (published on GENESIS), and applications are processed through Sarawak's own channels. Workers approved for Peninsular Malaysia cannot automatically work in Sarawak — a separate application is required.
Knowing which country a worker can come from is the first filter, not the application. The work permit itself runs through Sarawak's own portals, and the source country decides which route applies: an Indonesian general worker and a Nepali skilled worker are filed differently. Our Sarawak work permit service covers that filing end to end, from quota to arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many source countries are approved for Sarawak?
There are 12 approved source countries for foreign worker recruitment in Sarawak: Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, India, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Myanmar, Vietnam, Pakistan, and China.
Can I hire workers from countries not on the approved list?
Possibly. GENESIS publishes the 12 countries as its standard lists, but it also states that employers may apply for source countries outside them; the Approval in Principle (AP) is then decided case by case by the Sarawak Government. For Employment Pass and Professional Visit Pass applicants there is no country restriction at all: professionals from any country may apply.
Which source country is best for plantation workers?
For general plantation workers, the approved sources are Indonesia, India and the Philippines. For skilled plantation workers, 11 of the 12 countries are approved: every one except China. The best choice depends on availability and the roles you are filling, which your agency can advise on.
Does Citra Excel recruit from all 12 countries?
Citra Excel specialises in recruiting general workers from Indonesia, skilled workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, and domestic helpers, currently placed from Indonesia. For Employment Passes, we handle applications for any nationality with a speciality in Chinese nationals.
References
- GENESIS EXPRT — Employment Pass — EP eligibility (no nationality restriction for professionals)
- Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) — Part VII (Sarawak immigration autonomy)
Know the country, need the permit? Citra Excel recruits general workers from Indonesia, skilled workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, and domestic helpers currently from Indonesia — and handles the Sarawak work permit application for each.
See our Sarawak work permit serviceSources
- GENESIS — EXPRT FAQ: Employment Pass minimum salary of RM3,000 and confirmation that there is no country restriction for EP and PVP applicants. genesis.sarawak.gov.my/faq/?module=EXPRT
- GENESIS — SANSOLS FAQ: Approved source country lists for general and skilled worker recruitment. genesis.sarawak.gov.my/faq/?module=SANSOLS
- GENESIS — SANSOLS General Worker classifications: eligible sectors and source countries for general worker positions (checked 5 October 2026). genesis.sarawak.gov.my/SANSOLS/classification/general-worker
- GENESIS — SANSOLS Skilled Worker classifications: eligible sectors and source countries for skilled worker positions (checked 5 October 2026). genesis.sarawak.gov.my/SANSOLS/classification/skilled-worker
Our website and its contents are provided for general information purposes only and nothing on this website or in its contents is intended to provide professional advice. Please contact us at hello@citra-excel.com or +6011-1113 8685 for more information.
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