Jobs In Malaysia For Unskilled International Workers
Do you want to make a life-changing opportunity to work in Southeast Asia? 2025 is a revolutionary year of the Malaysian labor market. Due to recent developments in which the government declared an enormous increase in minimum wages and simplified the online visa application system, Malaysia has become one of the most desirable places to hire unskilled foreign workers.
Malaysia is proactively recruiting in five sectors with a high demand of General Workers and labour ceiling. In this guide, you can find all the information about the RM 1,700 minimum wage, the new system of ePASS, and the ways to stay out of the recruitment scam.
Best Companies to work in as an unskilled applicant (High Vacancy)
The quota system of controlling unskilled labor in Malaysia is strict. In case you are a non-skilled job seeker, the way to work is in the following areas with high demand:
- Production: The key driver of foreign workforce. There is massive demand of Production Operators and assembly line employees in electronics, semiconductor and rubber glove industries.
- Agriculture, Plantation: Malaysia is a palm oil and rubber world leader. Plantation Workers and fruit/vegetable farm laborers are always in demand.
- Construction: Thousands of General Site Workers, material handlers, and bricklayers are needed in Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak and Johor infrastructural construction projects.
- Services: This involves things such as Cleaners, Laundry Workers, Security Guards, and Cargo Handlers in the big ports.1
- Mining & Quarrying: Intensive jobs in mineral mining and maintenance of the site.
The 2025 Work Permit & Visa Process
In the case of unskilled workers, the initial entry point is the Visit Pass (Temporary Employment) [VP(TE)].5 This is 100 percent employer-led, that is, you cannot apply to the visa on your own.6
- Quota Approval: Your employer should demonstrate to the Ministry of Human Resources that he or she requires international employees.7
- Visa with Reference (VDR): Once approved, you are issued with a VDR by the Immigration Department in order to be granted entry into the country in an official manner.8
- Implementation of digital ePASS: By March 2025, Malaysia will have completely switched to the ePASS.9 No more stickers in passports; your work permit will be a digital signature attached to your biometric data.10
- Medical Check (FOMEMA): You need to undergo a medical in your home country and a second check 30 days upon arrival in Malaysia in a FOMEMA clinic.11
- Age: The applicant should be aged between 18 and 45 years, and he/she must be certified as fit to work in a manual labor.
Where to Find Verified Jobs
All you have to do is use these trusted platforms to be sure that you are safe and that you are not using illegal middlemen:
- BEOE (Bureau of Emigration): This is the most reliable source of workers in such countries as Pakistan and India. They provide contracts approved by the government regarding the general worker with proven salaries.
- Jobstreet Malaysia: Filters: No Experience, or Entry Level. Here there are numerous manufacturing firms where the production jobs are listed.
- FWCMS (Foreign Workers Centralized Management System): This is the official Malaysian portal through which the employers can manage their foreign worker quotas.13
- Registered Recruitment Agencies: You should find agencies such as TalentSpark or Osadi that specialize in mass manpower in the industrial industry.
FAQs
Is it possible to switch the employer once in Malaysia?
No. Unskilled labor permits are dependent on a particular employer and industry. In case you quit your employer, you lose your permit and are forced to go home.
Does the employer offer accommodation?
Yes. Malaysian employers have a legal obligation to offer safe housing of international workers, which is certified as stated in Act 446.
What is the maximum duration of working in Malaysia as an unskilled worker?
In most cases, once your work permit has expired, you have a period of 10 years to renew your work permit annually after which you have to go back to your home country.14
Can my family members accompany me?
The unskilled workers on a VP(TE) are not entitled to Dependent Passes. As a foreigner, you cannot bring family members to reside with you in Malaysia.15
And in the event of failure in medical check in Malaysia?
When you do not pass the FOMEMA examination in the 30 days after arrival, then your employer has a legal liability of sending you back home without delay.16
Final Thought
Malaysia has a conducive and controlled environment to foreign employees. It is also an inexpensive place to work in a modern economy because it has a new minimum wage of RM 1,700, and you are never supposed to pay anybody who is not an official agent, and is not mentioned in the contract, a sum of money.17
Disclaimer
The information provided about this job is this information that is shared in order to educate and inform. Before applying, please confirm with the official employer or government site (e.g., the Malaysian Immigration Department) before applying.