Malaysia

Innovare Malaysia (Five Lakes Management Consultancy Sdn Bhd) is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and is a wholly owned member of the Innovare Group.

Malaysia is the 4th largest economy of South East Asia and it continues to perform strongly. However, most organisations venturing into Malaysia face roadblocks that often make the processes we take for granted elsewhere a challenge here. Basic necessities like employment of a foreigner, administering of payroll, paying taxes are not that straightforward.

The Innovare Group provides a full contract management model in Malaysia specific to your requirements operating in multiple industries. We usually refer to this model as the Employee of Record (EOR) model. Some of the characteristics are elaborated below.

We are able to assist whether you or your consultant is an expatriate, local or permanent resident in Malaysia.We have a team of payroll, immigration and compliance specialists ready to provide professional advice in terms of contracting.

How Innovare Malaysia can assist:

  • Immigration Services

  • Payroll Administration

  • Tax and Social Security Management

  • Other Employer Costs and Insurance

  • Statutory Benefits

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Immigration Services

Immigration laws in most countries in Asia Pac often hold a local entity responsible for the entry, wellbeing, good behaviour and eventual exit of the individual. This also ensures that local immigration and employment laws are adhered to. This host company will be the technical employer of the individual.

We assist with the sponsorship of the work visa. Please speak to your Innovare sales contact person who will determine the appropriate visa for you or your consultant.

Payroll Administration

Our Malaysia company will administer the payroll for locals or permanent residents as well as for sponsored expatriates.

Tax & Social Security Management

All income derived from work performed in Malaysia is subject to tax payment, regardless of payment location based on the reported monthly payroll. We shall deduct the respective tax amount each month accordingly and subsequently paid monthly to the Malaysia Tax Office.

Malaysia wages attract an employer social security premium of up to 14% of the salary. Employee premium contribution is up to 12% of the salary as well.  

Other Employer Costs and Insurance

Innovare’s insurance policy in Malaysia (subject to terms and conditions) includes Professional indemnity insurance and Public liability insurance and is inclusive in our management fee. Workman compensation insurance is charged at cost.

Needless to say, all Employee of Record consultants are required to have adequate medical insurance to cover them throughout the entire contract. Medical insurance is a must for locals and expatriates working in Malaysia.

Statutory Benefits

At the point of initial discussions, your Innovare sales contact will provide you with a list of statutory benefits which the agency or the end client must provide in compliance to the Malaysia labour regulations.

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Should you need assistance in Asia Pacific, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Contact us for a discussion and a quick quote.

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Malaysia Travel & Quarantine Requirements

Travel and entry requirements:

  • Foreign nationals and their dependants, including foreign maids, to expatriates who are holding a valid long term pass and/or has obtained pass approval application will be allowed to enter Malaysia. All are required to apply for Entry Permission or Approval to Exit and Return to Malaysia from the Director General of Immigration Malaysia (DGIM) prior to traveling. Entry is only permitted to the following:

    • Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T) and their dependant/s

    • Employment Pass (Category EP I, II, and III)

    • Professional Visit Pass (PVP)

    • Dependant Pass to expatriate for all categories

    • Long Term Social Visit Pass (LT-SVP) to expatriate for all categories

    • Foreign Maid to expatriate for all categories

  • Malaysia is currently under Phase One of National Recovery Plan. Government offices remain operational.

  • Cross-district and cross-state movements remain prohibited except for special cases.

  • All passengers travelling from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, except for Malaysian citizens, are not permitted to enter or transit in Malaysia.

  • Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) schemes between Malaysia and Singapore are to cater to different groups of cross-border travelers between Malaysia and Singapore. The RGL enables those who need to make single-entry essential travel for business and official purposes in Malaysia for a maximum of 14 days. The PCA allows Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents to enter Malaysia for work via land border crossings. Those who enter under the PCA must remain in Malaysia for at least 90 days before being able to return to Singapore for short-term home leave and subsequently re-entering Malaysia again. Applications for entry either through the RGL or PCA must be submitted at least 10 working days before the intended date of departure. The RGL is currently suspended until further notice.

  • Overseas travel ban for Malaysians and expatriates until further notice.

Quarantine and Health Requirements:

  • All travelers are required to provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test screening within 72 hours prior to entry to Malaysia and must undergo another COVID-19 RT-PCR test upon arrival.

  • All travelers are required to install MySejahtera app and complete the health declaration at least 1 day before departure.

  • Must serve 14-day or 21-day quarantine at a Quarantine Centre stipulated by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and Ministry of Health (MOH) and to undergo another COVID-19 test by MOH. All quarantine cost will be borne by the traveller.

Updated as at 26 July 2021:

Disclaimer: Due to COVID-19, there has been constant changes in terms of work permit process, timeline, travel restrictions, quarantine period, medical tests as well as insurance requirements etc. All these requirements can change by the respective authorities in both country of work and candidate’s home country from time to time. The process, timeline and costs that Innovare provides is a guideline and is subject to change if any process is being changed. While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure its accuracy at the time of communication, Innovare cannot guarantee nor be liable for such change in timeline or costs arising from any pandemic related factors so please take note of the potentially volatile situation during this period.

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