Malaysia has had good trade links with many nations including the United Kingdom for years and is now one of the world’s fastest growing trade and economic regions in the world; as a result countless international expatriates now live in Malaysia and do business or work in Kuala Lumpur and the country’s other main employment centres. 

The business environment is definitely western, English is widely used especially in the workplace and both legal and accounting practices derive a great deal from similar British systems meaning that British, American and many European expatriates can quickly feel at home in Malaysia.

In professional fields there are openings for senior managers, there are opportunities in the banking and finance world and the export and manufacturing business for example; some find jobs in Malaysia teaching or in the IT or media industries and basically the range and availability of jobs for expatriates living in Malaysia is broad with the three main areas of employment being a local company, an international company or an international government agency or embassy.

Many expatriates living and working in Malaysia have either been head hunted by a specific company or relocated by their employer - but there are often job listings posted on the internet or in trade press for those seeking work in Malaysia and employment agencies such as JAC Recruitment Malaysia and JobStreet Malaysia advertise on line as do international recruiters Kelly Services and Manpower, both of whom have offices in Kuala Lumpur.  Alternatively for those living in Malaysia already who are dreaming of a change in career both the New Straits Times and the Star newspapers have job listings.

Those who are directly recruited for a job in Malaysia will have the full assistance of their employer when it comes to getting employment authorisation, an employment pass and dependents’ passes but those travelling to the country on the off-chance of finding work will need a visa to allow them to visit the country temporarily then once they find a job they will have to apply for an employment pass.  Furthermore, dependents of the individual with an employment pass may not work under this pass they have to apply for their own.  An employment pass is usually valid for five years with renewals possible but discretionary.