Foreign Worker Recruitment Services in Sarawak
End-to-end recruitment and placement across Sarawak — general workers, domestic helpers, employment passes, and professional visit passes — handled by a licensed Kuching-based agency.
Citra Excel is a licensed Kuching-based employment agency, established in 2011 and operating across Sarawak. We work with employers in manufacturing, plantation, oil and gas, and the household sector to recruit foreign workers under the rules set by the state's own immigration and labour authorities.
Sarawak runs its own immigration system, separate from Peninsular Malaysia. The portals — ALIANCE, SANSOLS, FWTA, eVDR — are state-run; source-country lists, sector openings, and document packs differ from the federal regime. Working with an agency that understands both the Sarawak side and the source-country side is what lets a placement actually clear without delays.
Our services fall into the four tracks below. Pick the one that matches your situation, or reach out if you're not sure where to start.
General Foreign Workers
Recruitment and placement of foreign general workers for companies across Sarawak.
- •Manufacturing, construction, plantation, agriculture, services
- •Government approvals and work permit processing
- •Source country: Indonesia
- •Medical examinations and documentation
- •Arrival coordination and onboarding support
Domestic Helpers (Maids)
Placement of foreign domestic helpers (maids) for households in Sarawak.
- •Source countries: Indonesia, Philippines
- •Licence application and recruitment assistance
- •Eligibility: Malaysian citizens in Sarawak (childcare, elderly care, etc.)
- •Full placement and documentation support
- •Post-placement follow-up and support
Employment Pass
For companies hiring skilled foreign professionals and expatriates in Sarawak. We specialise in Employment Pass applications for Chinese nationals.
- •Speciality: China passport holder Employment Pass applications
- •Management and professional-level positions
- •Company registration and application support
- •Pass issuance, renewal, and dependant visa assistance
- •Minimum salary: RM3,000/month (EP2) or RM5,000/month (EP1)
- •EP1: renewable up to 5 times (6 years total). EP2: renewable once (2 years total)
- •Labour Licence and Local Understudy requirements apply
- •Sponsoring company must be a Sdn. Bhd. with minimum RM250,000 paid-up capital (RM350,000 for joint ventures, RM1,000,000 for 100% foreign-owned)
Professional Visit Pass (PVP) & PLIK for Seafarers
The Pas Lawatan Ikhtisas (PLIK) is a short-term work permit for foreign nationals carrying out professional, specialist, or teaching activities in Sarawak, governed under the state's own immigration regulations. We primarily serve the oil and gas sector and maritime industries.
- •Oil and gas: technical specialists, engineers, and project consultants
- •Maritime: seafarers and offshore personnel
- •Sponsor company must be Sarawak-registered
- •Application, documentation, and renewal support
Why a Licensed Sarawak Agency Matters
Engaging an unlicensed operator to recruit foreign workers is an offence under the Private Employment Agencies Act 1981. Beyond legality, a licensed agency is the only practical route in Sarawak — AP quota, Visa with Reference (VDR), levy payment, medical clearance, and insurance steps all require the receiving party to hold the correct registrations.
Citra Excel holds a current JTKSWK Licence (No: JTKSWK0006-C/25), SSM Registration (No: 0953273-P), and a KJRI Kuching Registration Certificate for Indonesian Migrant Worker placement. Verification details on our licences and compliance page. For more, read our guide on why you should use a licensed employment agency.
Our Recruitment Process
Consultation
Understand your requirements and advise on the best approach
Documentation
Prepare and submit applications to the relevant authorities
Processing
Government approvals, medical examinations, and compliance checks
Visa & Permits
Work permit issuance and final documentation
Arrival & Support
Coordination, orientation, and ongoing post-placement support
Required Documents
For Employers
- ✓ Company Registration (SSM)
- ✓ Business License
- ✓ Job Description & Requirements
- ✓ Authorized Signatory Letter
- ✓ Company Profile
For Job Seekers
- ✓ IC/Passport Copy
- ✓ Latest Resume/CV
- ✓ Educational Certificates
- ✓ Work Experience Letters
- ✓ Professional Certificates (if any)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an Employment Pass, PVP/PLIK, and PLKS?
An Employment Pass is for skilled professionals and managers, typically employed by a Sdn. Bhd. The Professional Visit Pass (PVP) and its Sarawak counterpart PLIK are short-term passes for specialists — common in oil and gas, maritime, and teaching. The PLKS (Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara) is the standard work permit for general foreign workers in manufacturing, plantation, agriculture, construction, and services. See our guide to work pass types in Sarawak for the full breakdown.
Can I hire foreign workers without an agency?
In theory yes; in practice, almost no Sarawak employer does. The portals, source-country agency requirements (P3MI on the Indonesian side, DMW on the Filipino side), and Sarawak Immigration approvals are not designed for direct-hire walk-ins. Engaging an unlicensed middleman is also an offence under the Private Employment Agencies Act 1981. See our guide on why use a licensed agency for the full picture.
How long does the foreign worker recruitment process take?
A standard placement typically takes weeks to a few months, depending on document readiness, source-country scheduling, and the sector. Several steps sit with third parties, so hard day-count promises are not reliable. The full step-by-step is in our recruitment process guide.
Which source countries can Sarawak employers hire from?
Sarawak's approved source-country list broadly mirrors the federal one, with state-level adjustments by sector. Indonesia and the Philippines are common for domestic helpers; Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, and others appear in industrial sectors. The exact list depends on the sector and current government policy. See approved source countries for Sarawak for the current list.
Is the process different in Sarawak compared with Peninsular Malaysia?
Yes — Sarawak operates its own immigration system, with different portals (ALIANCE, SANSOLS, FWTA, eVDR), different sector quotas, and different application flows. A Peninsular Malaysia work pass does not transfer to Sarawak; a fresh Sarawak application is required. See why Sarawak has its own immigration system.