Hire Foreign Workers in Sarawak
Find the Right Talent for Your Business
We connect you with candidates who match your specific requirements.
- International Sourcing: General workers from Indonesia, skilled workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, domestic helpers from Indonesia and the Philippines, and Employment Passes for any nationality (we specialise in Chinese nationals).
- Health & Background Screening: Comprehensive health checks and background verification for all candidates.
- Certified Skills: General workers, domestic helpers, and skilled professionals with verified qualifications and experience.
- Full Documentation Support: AP Quota applications, work permit processing, visa applications, and renewals — all handled end-to-end.
- Ongoing HR Advisory: End-to-end support to keep your workforce legal, healthy, and productive.
With Citra Excel, you receive reliable, compliant, and comprehensive workforce solutions tailored to your business needs.
Employment Pass: Company Eligibility
If you are hiring skilled foreign professionals or expatriates under an Employment Pass, the sponsoring company must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the state authorities.
- Sponsoring companies must be a Sdn. Bhd. (private limited company). Sole proprietorships and partnerships are not eligible for Employment Pass sponsorship.
- Minimum paid-up capital: RM250,000 for 100% locally-owned companies, RM350,000 for joint ventures, or RM1,000,000 for 100% foreign-owned companies.
- A Hiring Outcome Report from JobSarawak is required for most applications, demonstrating that local hiring efforts have been made.
- The company must hold a valid Labour Licence and appoint a Local Understudy for knowledge transfer purposes.
Not sure if your company qualifies? Contact us for a free eligibility assessment.
AP Quota Application (Approval in Principle)
Before hiring any foreign workers, your company must obtain an Approval in Principle (AP) from the Sarawak Labour Department. This is a company-level approval that confirms you are authorised to employ foreign workers, and specifies the number of workers, positions, and source countries approved.
What we handle for you:
- •Job posting on JobSarawak and local newspaper advertising
- •Hiring Outcome Report application
- •Full AP submission with all supporting documents
- •Tracking and follow-up with government authorities
What you need to provide:
- ✓Company registration documents (SSM, Forms 9, 24, 49)
- ✓Valid trade licence
- ✓Tenancy agreement or proof of workplace
- ✓Details of worker accommodation and amenities
Good to know: The AP is valid for 2 years and specifies the approved quota for your company. The number of workers you can hire depends on your sector, business size, and existing workforce. We will advise you on what quota your company is likely to be approved for.
Work Permit (Labour Licence)
Once your AP Quota is approved, each individual foreign worker requires their own Work Permit (also known as a Labour Licence) before they can legally work in Sarawak. This is issued under Section 119 of the Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Chapter 76).
The end-to-end process:
AP Approval
Company-level quota confirmed
Labour Licence
Individual worker permit applied
Visa Issuance
Entry visa processed for worker
Arrival & Placement
Medical screening, registration, onboarding
Upon arrival: Workers must complete medical screening at a SAFHIS panel facility within 30 days, and be registered for PERKESO (social security) and health insurance before commencing work.
Renewals: Work permits must be renewed annually. We manage the entire renewal process so your workers remain legally employed without disruption.
We handle every step from AP application through to worker placement and ongoing permit renewals. Contact us to discuss your workforce requirements.
Dedicated Account Managers
Julius Ting
Managing Director
Specializes in palm oil & construction recruitment
Available: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM
Dzilwana Binti Redzuan
Operations Lead
Specializes in Domestic Helper Placements
Available: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM
Multi-Channel Communication
Industries We Serve
Manufacturing
Construction
Hospitality
Agriculture
Healthcare
Retail
Logistics
Professional
Helpful Resources
Ready to Get Started?
Contact us today for a free consultation with your dedicated account manager