How to Hire Foreign Workers in Sarawak
Published by Citra Excel
If you are an employer in Sarawak looking to hire foreign workers, the process involves several steps across multiple government agencies. This guide provides an overview of what to expect, from initial planning through to your workers arriving on-site.
Why Employers Hire Foreign Workers
Many industries in Sarawak — including construction, manufacturing, plantation, agriculture, and services — face ongoing challenges finding sufficient local labour. Foreign workers help fill these gaps, allowing businesses to maintain operations and meet project timelines.
Sarawak Has Its Own Immigration Process
One important thing to understand: Sarawak controls its own immigration under the Immigration Act 1959/63. This means the process for hiring foreign workers in Sarawak is different from Peninsular Malaysia. A work permit valid for Peninsular Malaysia is not automatically valid for Sarawak, and vice versa. Employers must go through Sarawak's own immigration channels.
The General Hiring Process
While each case varies depending on the industry and source country, the general process follows these stages:
1. Needs Assessment and Planning
Determine how many workers you need, what roles they will fill, and which source country is most suitable. A licensed employment agency can advise you on the best approach based on your industry and requirements.
2. Company Documentation
Prepare your company documents, including SSM registration, company incorporation forms (Form 9, 24, 49), business licences, and tenancy agreements or land titles. The exact documents depend on your company type and industry sector.
3. Government Approvals
Your application goes through several layers of government approval. The exact pathway depends on the type of worker you are hiring:
General workers and skilled workers: This pathway involves obtaining a Hiring Outcome Report (proving you have attempted to hire locally), an Approval in Principle (AP), and an Employment Licence under Section 119 of the Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Chapter 76). These approvals confirm that your company is authorised to employ foreign workers.
Employment Pass (EP) holders: For skilled professionals and expatriates, the employer must first obtain a Labour Licence under the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (introduced November 2025). The EP application is then submitted through Sarawak's digital immigration platform. The employer must also appoint and register a local understudy within 6 months of EP approval.
Paid-up capital requirements for EP applications vary based on ownership structure:
- RM250,000 — 100% local (Sarawakian/Malaysian) ownership
- RM350,000 — joint venture with foreign equity
- RM1,000,000 — 100% foreign-owned company
These requirements ensure that companies hiring foreign talent have a substantive business presence in Sarawak.
4. Recruitment in Source Country
Once approvals are in place, recruitment begins in the source country. Workers are sourced, screened, and selected based on your requirements. They undergo medical examinations and obtain the necessary clearances in their home country.
5. Visa and Immigration Processing
A Visa with Reference (VDR) is applied for through Sarawak's Immigration Department. This authorises the workers to enter Sarawak for employment purposes.
6. Arrival and Medical Screening
When workers arrive in Sarawak, they must undergo medical screening within 30 days at a SAFHIS (Sarawak Foreigners Health Information System) panel facility. Sarawak operates its own medical screening system, separate from the FOMEMA system used in Peninsular Malaysia.
7. Work Permit Issuance and Placement
After passing medical screening, the work permit (PLKS) is issued and a Non-Sarawakian Identity Card (NSIC) is obtained. Workers are registered for PERKESO (social security), KWSP (provident fund), and health insurance. They are then placed at your worksite. Employers must also ensure worker accommodation meets the standards under the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446).
Key Government Bodies Involved
- Jabatan Tenaga Kerja Sarawak (JTKSWK) — The Sarawak Labour Department oversees employment licensing and labour matters
- Immigration Department of Malaysia (Sarawak) — Handles visa applications, entry permits, and work passes
- Ministry of Health (MOH) — Oversees medical screening requirements for foreign workers
- Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM) — Company registration verification
- SOCSO / PERKESO — Social security registration for workers
Eligible Source Countries
Sarawak currently accepts foreign workers from 12 approved source countries:
The most common source countries vary by sector. Your employment agency can advise on which countries are best suited for your specific workforce needs.
What Employers Should Prepare
Before starting the process, ensure you have the following ready:
- Up-to-date company registration documents (SSM, Forms 9, 24, 49)
- Valid business or trade licences for your industry
- Tenancy agreement or land title for the workplace
- Accommodation arrangements that meet the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446)
- Industry-specific documents (e.g., CIDB registration for construction, manufacturing licence, plantation land titles)
- Power of Attorney authorising your agency or representative
The Role of a Licensed Employment Agency
A licensed employment agency manages the entire process on your behalf — from documentation and government applications to sourcing workers and coordinating their arrival. This saves you significant time and ensures that every step complies with current regulations.
The process involves multiple government departments, changing regulations, and coordination across borders. Having an experienced agency handle this means fewer delays, fewer rejected applications, and workers who arrive properly documented and ready to work.
Ready to hire foreign workers? Citra Excel is a licensed employment agency based in Kuching, Sarawak. We handle the entire recruitment process from start to finish. Contact us for a free consultation on your workforce needs.
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.
Need help with foreign worker recruitment?
Contact Citra Excel for a free consultation.