Malaysia Work Visa Timeline: What to Expect (and Avoid)

The visa process takes 4–6 weeks—if everything goes right. But delays are common. Here’s how to plan ahead and stay on track.

Brendon Lai

4/14/20251 min read

Processing Time and Common Bottlenecks

On average, the work visa process takes 4–6 weeks, but bottlenecks can happen if:

  • Documents are not translated or notarized properly

  • The Expatriate Post approval is delayed

  • The local company has compliance issues or unpaid taxes

  • The Ministry requests additional info mid-process

⚠️ Reminder: Do not assume approval — always wait for confirmation before booking travel or onboarding