Do West Malaysians and Sabahans Need Work Permits in Sarawak?

One of the most-asked questions we get from Peninsular-based employers and Sabahan job seekers is simple: do I need a work permit to work in Sarawak? The short answer is yes — because Sarawak runs its own immigration system, a fellow Malaysian from outside the state is, for employment purposes, treated much like an expatriate. This article explains what that means, which sectors are open, and the key exceptions.

The Short Answer

If you are a Malaysian citizen from Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia) or Sabah and you want to take up employment with a Sarawak-based employer, you will generally need to apply for a work pass issued under Sarawak's own immigration system.

Visiting Sarawak as a tourist does not grant a right to work, and a work pass issued for another part of Malaysia is not valid in Sarawak. The exception most employers ask about — a Sarawakian spouse — does not remove the need for a pass, but does unlock a simpler route, which we cover below.

Why Malaysians Need a Permit in Sarawak

Sarawak retained control over its own immigration under the terms on which it entered the federation. This is anchored in:

• The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Sarawak's 18-Point Agreement (Point 6)
• Part VII of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which sets out special provisions for Sabah and Sarawak
• Article 161E of the Federal Constitution, which protects these provisions from amendment without state consent

The practical consequence: the Sarawak Government, not Putrajaya, decides who may enter the state to live or work there — including Malaysians from elsewhere in the country.

Who Is Treated as an Expatriate

For employment purposes in Sarawak, a person is broadly grouped as:

• A Sarawakian — a Malaysian citizen holding a Sarawak-issued identity (or otherwise recognised under state rules).
• A non-Sarawakian Malaysian — a West Malaysian or Sabahan. These applicants are handled through the same Employment Pass or work-permit framework used for foreign professionals, though the documents and route differ slightly.
• A foreign national — subject to the full foreign worker or Employment Pass process.

So when a Sarawak-registered company hires a candidate from Kuala Lumpur, Johor, or Kota Kinabalu, that hire is typically processed through Sarawak's Employment Pass channel — not simply "transferred" over as an internal posting.

Sectors Open to Non-Sarawakian Malaysians

Sarawak prioritises sectors that align with the state's economic plan. Non-Sarawakian Malaysians are commonly approved for roles in:

Charitable and religious activities are also covered. Roles outside these priority sectors are considered on a case-by-case basis, usually where the employer can show that the specific skill is not readily available in the Sarawak labour market.

Employment Pass Categories

Employment Pass applications for non-Sarawakian Malaysians (and foreign professionals) broadly fall into:

• Key positions — senior roles central to the company's operations (for example, CEO, CFO, country head).
• Managerial roles — heads of department and senior managers.
• Directorships — individuals sitting on the board or holding statutory director positions.
• Specialised or technical roles — positions requiring skills or certifications not readily available locally.

Employment Pass applicants must earn at least RM 3,000 per month. Offers below that figure are not eligible for an EP and must go through the labour route described in the next section.

Each category also has its own documentation and justification requirements. A common pitfall is applying under the wrong category — for example, submitting a technical specialist under a managerial heading, which tends to trigger additional queries.

Workers Below the Employment Pass Threshold

Not every hire qualifies for an Employment Pass. Roles paying less than RM 3,000 per month are handled through Sarawak's Labour Department rather than the Expatriate Services channel, and immigration processing goes through the Foreign Worker Unit. Within this route, two minimum salary floors apply:

• General workers (labourers) — minimum RM 1,700 per month. Covers roles that are more manual in nature, such as cleaners, transporters, and construction workers.
• Skilled workers — minimum RM 1,800 per month. Covers roles requiring a specific trade, certification, or technical experience.

This matters because:

• The documentation, timelines, and quota considerations are different from the Employment Pass process.
• Employers cannot simply choose which route to use — the role, salary, and sector decide.
• A position described in a job offer that sits near the threshold should be reviewed carefully before lodging an application.

Special Case: Spouses of Sarawakians

A West Malaysian or Sabahan spouse of a Sarawakian has a more flexible path. In most cases they may apply for a Spouse Programme Employment Pass, which:

• Is tied to the marriage rather than a single sponsoring company
• Is typically easier to justify than a standalone Employment Pass
• Still requires formal application — it is not automatic on marriage

Dependants' passes and long-term social passes may also apply depending on the family's situation. A Sarawakian spouse does not remove the need for immigration documentation; it changes which route is used.

Common Misconceptions

Frequently Asked Questions

References

• Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) — UN Treaty Series, Vol. 750, No. 10760
• Federal Constitution of Malaysia — Article 161E (safeguards for Sabah and Sarawak)
• Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) — Part VII (special provisions for Sabah and Sarawak)
• Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Cap. 76)