FAQ for Residence Pass (RP) Talent

1.    Who is eligible to apply for the Residence Pass (RP) Talent?
Any foreign talent who has been living and working in Malaysia for at least 3 years on a
continuous basis is eligible to apply for the RP Talent. ‘Talent’ refers to high achieving
individual with the capacity to drive business results that contribute towards Malaysia’s
economic transformation.
2.    What are the benefits of the RP Talent over the Employment Pass?
Unlike the Employment Pass, the RP Talent is not tied to an employer and is valid for 10 years
(as opposed to the 2 or 3 years the Employment Pass offers). The spouse of the RP Talent is
also eligible to work in Malaysia.
3.    Are there any countries whose citizens are not allowed to apply for the RP Talent?
Any countries whose citizens are allowed to work in Malaysia are eligible to apply for the RP
Talent.
4.    Can one apply for the RP Talent if currently not employed in Malaysia?
Currently, the Government is ONLY considering applications from foreign talent already
working in Malaysia.
5.    How many years of work should an individual has put in Malaysia to be eligible for RP
Talent?
An individual seeking to be considered for RP Talent should have at least 3 years of continuous
work experience in Malaysia.
6.    Are any industries given special preference for the RP Talent?
Preference will be given to foreign talent employed in the 11 industries which form part of the
National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) as outlined in the Economic Transformation Programme
(ETP) of the Government of Malaysia. The 11 industries are:
• Oil Gas & Energy
• Palm Oil
• Financial Services
• Tourism
• Business Services
• Communication Content and
Infrastructure
• Electronics & Electrical
• Wholesale and Retail
• Education
• Healthcare
• Agriculture
For more details on the NKEAs please refer to
http://etp.pemandu.gov.my/Overview_of_NKEAs_-@-Overview_of_NKEAs.aspx.
In addition, talent employed in the Biotech, Aeronautics and IT sector will also be given
preference for award of the RP Talent.
7.    How much is the RP Talent application fee?

• The fee for the RP per applicant (talent and spouse) greater than 18 years old is
RM2,000.00.
• The fee for each dependant under 18 years old is RM1,500.00.
This fee does not include the multiple entry visa charges depending on the nationality
of the RP applicant. Details of Malaysian multiple entry visa charges are available at
http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/visa/visa-fees on the Visa fees page.
• However, only an amount of RM200.00 per applicant is to be paid at time of
application. The balance fees will be required once the application is approved and the
passports are submitted for issuance of the RP.

8.    Is there any minimum salary cut off for RP Talent eligibility?
Foreign talent should be earning a minimum gross annual salary (inclusive of all taxable
components) of RM144,000.00 in order to qualify as top talent and be eligible for the RP Talent.