Following the 1997 Asian economic crisis which resulted in economic meltdown across the region, the Malaysian economy has improved and in recent years it has strengthened substantially.  Now Malaysia has an economic environment that is conducive to foreign direct investment and more expatriates are living and working in Malaysia in a broad range of industries from oil to IT.

Certain industry sectors are actively targeting foreign professionals and Malaysia offers an economic/real estate program called ‘Malaysia: My Second Home’ in a bid to welcome even greater numbers of expats to live and basically invest in the country.  This is an introduction to moving to live and work in Malaysia for international expatriates.

Most expatriates are either reassigned by their company to an office or department in Malaysia or they find employment before they move to the country.  Such individuals will receive a work permit by their employer.  While it is possible to do all the paperwork necessary to get such a permit alone, the amount of time it takes and the frustration it can cause mean that the majority of good employers look after it for their employees.

Those who have yet to receive their work permit, who are traveling to Malaysia to look or apply for work or who are accompanying a working spouse or parent will receive what’s known as a ‘social visa’ to enter Malaysia.  This visa gives those in possession of it the right to remain in the country for three months and it is renewed simply by leaving the country and returning.

Many expatriates living and working in Malaysia today are in well paid jobs and are in receipt of some form of allowance or benefit in kind for moving to work overseas.  Some receive a contribution towards their living costs, some towards the education of their children and some are very well remunerated indeed which is making Malaysia a more popular country with those seeking an international assignment almost annually!

The cost of living in Malaysia, particularly for those on a good salary, is very low indeed – housing, cars and alcohol are the most expensive items and the fact that in the major economic, employment and residential areas housing is usually in the form of apartment living means that those moving to live in Malaysia who have children can find it rather restrictive.

In terms of education, healthcare and general welfare children and families are well catered for – there are international schools a plenty in Malaysia although fees and standards vary.  There is such a wealth of cultural diversity in Malaysia and on the whole it is an incredibly safe and welcoming country that children often settle into their new life before their parents.

The majority of expats are to be found in Kuala Lumpur which is where the main employment base is, the embassies for major nations around the world and which is the economic heart of the nation.  Expats in Kuala Lumpur benefit from the fact that there are many organizations and social groups specifically set up for fellow foreign citizens to get together and socialize.

The advice most often given to would-be expats by those who already live and work in Malaysia is find as much out about the realities of the country as possible before traveling, be prepared to suffer culture shock, get out and about immediately and rebuild a social network and finally get used to the culture and the people and don’t try and change things – you won’t succeed!