Malaysia Calling Visa Application System 2026 Step-by-Step

Following the implementation of digitized foreign worker quota approvals under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) and the centralized FWCMS eQuota infrastructure, the Malaysian government has streamlined the calling visa application protocol.

Unlike standard tourist or business visas, a Malaysia Calling Visa (Visa with Reference - VDR) cannot be applied for directly by individual job seekers on their own. It is an employer-driven legal immigration process that links certified Malaysian companies, bilateral source-country recruitment agencies, and immigration databases before a worker can legally depart.

2026 Calling Visa Application Processing Stages

Application Phase	Responsible Entity	Platform / Portal Used	Key Milestone Document Issued
Phase 1: Quota & Demand	Malaysian Employer	MYFutureJobs & FWCMS eQuota	Official Quota Approval & Attested Demand Letter
Phase 2: Medical Screening	Worker & Panel Clinic	FOMEMA Accredited Center	Pre-Departure Digital Fit-to-Work Certificate
Phase 3: Immigration Approval	Malaysian Employer / JIM	Immigration Department Portal	Visa with Reference (VDR) Letter
Phase 4: Visa Endorsement	Worker / High Commission	MyVISA (malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my)	eVISA / Single Entry Visa (SEV)
Phase 5: Exit Clearance	Worker & Expatriate Ministry	National Emigration System (e.g. BMET)	Manpower Clearance & Smart Card
Phase 6: Port of Entry & Work Pass	Employer & Immigration (JIM)	KLIA Terminal 1 / 2 & FOMEMA	Visit Pass Temporary Employment [VP(TE)]

Step-by-Step Technical Application Workflow

[Employer Quota] ──► [FOMEMA Bio-Medical] ──► [VDR Letter] ──► [eVISA / SEV Stamping] ──► [Manpower Card] ──► [KLIA Entry & VPTE]

1. Mandatory Local Job Advertising and Quota Clearance

Before recruiting foreign personnel, the Malaysian employer must advertise vacancies on MYFutureJobs for a minimum of 14 working days. Once Section 60K local market justification is approved by the Director-General of Labour, the employer applies for quota allocation via the FWCMS eQuota module.

2. Candidate Selection and Pre-Departure FOMEMA Medical Exam

Once the employer receives the formal quota allocation, designated workers in certified source countries (including Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka) undergo health screenings at FOMEMA-affiliated medical clinics. Tests screen for infectious diseases, hepatitis, chest pathologies, and substance use. Clinic results are transmitted digitally to the Malaysian Immigration database.

3. Submission for Visa with Reference (VDR)

With a passed medical report, the employer uploads the worker's passport bio-data page and attested contract to the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM). Upon payment of the statutory foreign worker levy (RM 1,850/year for manufacturing, construction, and services; RM 640/year for agriculture and plantations), the authorities issue the official VDR Approval Letter.

4. Applying for the eVISA / Single Entry Visa (SEV)

With the VDR letter generated, the worker or licensed recruitment agency applies for entry clearance via the official MyVISA portal (malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my) under the VDR Category.

• Requirements include automated photo validation (plain white or plain blue background without borders), original passport scan valid for at least 18 months, and the VDR approval PDF.

• Once approved, the candidate downloads the eVISA Single Entry Visa.

5. National Manpower Clearance and Departure

Before boarding, the worker must obtain emigration clearance from their home country's labor ministry (such as the BMET Smart Card in Bangladesh or equivalent national clearance in India and Nepal). Workers must register the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within 3 days prior to arrival.

6. Airport Clearance and Issuance of the Work Permit

Upon arrival at Malaysian international airports, the sponsoring employer must legally receive the worker within six hours of landing. Within 30 days of entry, the worker undergoes a secondary FOMEMA medical examination in Malaysia. Upon passing, the Visit Pass Temporary Employment [VP(TE)] and official i-Kad work identity permit are issued for 12 months.

Mandatory Document Checklist for Applicants

• Original Passport: Machine-readable or e-Passport with a minimum remaining validity of 18 months.

• Digital Passport Photographs: Sized $35\text{mm} \times 50\text{mm}$ with plain white or blue background meeting Malaysian ICAO photo specifications.

• Attested Employment Contract: Signed by both the employer and candidate, stamped by the relevant diplomatic mission.

• FOMEMA Fit Medical Report: Certified digital fitness report linked directly to the immigration system.

• National Identification & Police Clearance: Certified national ID card and verified police background clearance.

How to Verify Calling Visa Applications Online

To avoid counterfeit visa documentation and fraudulent middlemen, applicants should verify processing milestones directly on official government servers:

• FWCMS Application Check: Visit fwcms.com.my, enter your Passport Number, and select your Nationality to verify live stages (such as Bio-Medical Passed, Employer Quota Assigned, or VDR Approved).

• MyVISA Authenticity Check: Cross-reference eVISA serial numbers on the official immigration portal (malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my). Fake documents return an immediate Record Not Found warning.