FAQ

What are the approved countries for applications of foreign domestic helpers?
  • Indonesia
  • Thailand
  • Cambodia
  • The Philippines
  • Sri Lanka
  • India
  • Vietnam
  • Laos
What are the eligibility conditions to work as a Foreign Domestic Helper (FDH)?
  • The FDH should:
    • be female
    • be not less than 21 years old and not more than 45 years old
    • confirmed fit by an appointed medical centre
    • reside in the country of origin
    • enter Malaysia via the Visa With Reference (VDR) issued by the Malaysian representative office in the country of origin
    • Certified PASS for IMMIGRATION SECURITY CLEARANCE (ISC) at the source country.
  • The FDH who fails the medical examination:
    • is not permitted to work
    • he employer needs to obtain the Check Out memo from the Immigration Department of Malaysia and arrange for her immediate repatriation
What are the employers’ eligibility requirements?
  • Applications can be submitted:
    • by the Employer himself
    • through employment agencies registered with the Immigration Department of Malaysia at the Immigration office of the State as per employer’s address.
  • Make sure the application form and required documents are complete before submission
  • The employer and his spouse should have:
    • Children under 15 years of age OR
    • Parents who are sick / ill.
  • The employer must earn an income, and each family is eligible to apply for one (1) FDH
  • The employer qualifying wages according to the country of origin:
    No.APPLICATIONMONTHLY INCOME
    1A Second Foreign Domestic Helper (FDH)More than RM 10,000.00
    2A Third Foreign Domestic Helper (FDH)More than RM 15,000.00
    3A Fourth and Up Foreign Domestic Helper (FDH)Special Approval of the Director General of Immigration
    No.Country of OriginEmployer’s Net IncomePayment (Personal Bond)
    1IndonesiaRM 7,000.00RM 250.00
    2The PhilippinesRM 5,000.00RM750.00
    3Sri LankaRM 5,000.00RM750.00
    4ThailandRM 3,000.00RM 250.00
    5CambodiaRM 3,000.00RM 250.00
    6IndiaRM 5,000.00RM 750.00
    7LaosRM 3,000.00RM 1,500.00
    8VietnamRM 3,000.00RM 1,500.00

Employers who have been declared bankrupt are not eligible to apply. To apply for a second Foreign Domestic Helper, the employer must:

  • have a valid reason
  • to have income under the conditions stipulated by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

Employers who are Muslims are allowed to hire only Muslim Foreign Domestic Helpers.

  • Once the FDH arrives in this country, the employer should:
    • ensure that the FDH undergoes a medical examination at any clinic appointed by Fomema Sdn. Bhd.. and
    • obtain the PL (KS) sticker from the State Immigration Department which will be issued within 1 month from the date of arrival.
What are the additional conditions?
  • Make sure that the FDH is assigned to domestic chores (not including car wash).
  • Room amenities / accommodation provided for the FDH are equipped with basic facilities. The FDH should be given nutritious food and proper rest, including sleeping time.
  • Non-Muslim employers who employ Muslim FDH must respect the following religious sensitivities of the FDH. She should:
    • be allowed to conduct worship acts such as praying 5 times
    • be allowed to observe the Fasting month of Ramadan and
    • not be asked to do chores around the house that oppose the religion of Islam.
  • Ensure that the FDH does not marry in this country while on the PL (KS).
  • The FDH is not allowed to apply for an Entry Permit while she has been issued the PL (KS).
  • Ensure that the FDH does not change employment or change employers without the permission of the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
  • Extension of the PL (KS) should be submitted to the Immigration Office within three (3) months before the expiry of the PL (KS) and after passing the medical examination.
  • For the purpose of the continuation of the PL(KS) or applying for the Check Out Memo, the employer is responsible for:
    • Keeping payroll records to the FDH and submitting to the Department upon request.
    • the FDH should be paid her salary at least in the last week of each month.
  • The employer is responsible for the medical treatment of the FDH during the period of the PL (KS)
  • The employer is responsible for reporting to the Immigration Department if the FDH:
    • is deceased
    • has gone missing
    • has absconded from her work place
  • Employers or employment agencies are not allowed to strike or inflict any act that causes injury to the FDH
  • If an employer or a spouse dies, the employer or the spouse or beneficiaries should report to the Immigration Department for the purpose of verifying the status of the new employer of the FDH
  • The employer must obtain approval from the Immigration Department if the FDH wishes to terminate her services, if the employer wishes to terminate the services of the FDH, or to get the Check-out memo from the Department of Deportation if the pass has expired.
  • Immigration Department of Malaysia has the right to revoke the issue of approved passes
  • Immigration Department of Malaysia has the power to transfer the FDH if she has been persecuted by the original employer to a new employer, on humanitarian grounds even without the consent of the original employer.
  • Employers who want to take the FDH to work in overseas stations are required to inform the FDH’s country of origin representative in Malaysia.
  • Employers who have been given permission to employ FDH, but failed to comply with the conditions stipulated will be blacklisted from getting future FDH.
What are the required documents for FDH application?
  • Applications for the approval of foreign domestic helpers can be made at all State Immigration Offices in accordance with the employer’s address.
  • Documents required for the application of a Visa With Reference (VDR) for Foreign Domestic Helpers:
    • The new application form (PRA1)
    • Replacement Form for FDH (PRA2)
    • Form IM 12. (Application PLKS)
    • Form IM 38. (Visa Application)
    • Personal Bond which has been stamped with a RM10.00 revenue stamp
    • Employment Agreement for Foreign Domestic Helpers which has been stamped with a RM10.00 revenue stamp (2 sets of originals and copies)
    • Copy of Foreign Domestic Helper’s passport
    • Medical Report from the country of origin which has been certified by a clinic appointed by the Ministry of Health Malaysia
    • Declaration form for employing Muslim Foreign Domestic Helpers and Declaration form for Muslim Foreign Domestic Helpers. (For non-Muslim employers only)
    • Declaration form stating the non-usage of registered agencies for employers who submit applications on their own
  • Proof of regular income of both husband and wife:
    • the EPF statement and pay slip (last 3 months) OR
    • e-BE / IRB statement of receipt and payment slip
  • Copy of identity card of both husband and wife
  • Supporting documents for the application of FDH (like birth certificates, medical certification of family illness)
  • Marriage certificate (for the first time application only)
What are the admission procedures for Foreign Domestic Helper?
  • The FDH has received the approval letter for Visa With Reference to get a visa at the Malaysian Representative Office in the FDH’s country of origin prior to entry into Malaysia.
  • After getting the visa, the FDH can enter Malaysia through any permitted entrance. Immigration officers at the gates of entry will provide a Special Pass for 30 days so that the employer can report the presence of the FDH at the Immigration office that approved the VDR. This Immigration office can be the State Immigration Office or Immigration Headquarters.
  • The employer or employment agency should wait at the permitted entrance.
  • The employer or employment agency is required to bring the FDH for a medical check up at any clinic which is registered with FOMEMA Pte. Ltd. (within a month). Employees who fail this examination must be sent back to their home countries immediately.
How is the Visitor's Pass/Temporary Employment Sticker PL(KS) being issued?
  • The FDH who has passed the medical examination and is certified healthy by FOMEMA Pte. Ltd. will be issued with the Visitor’s Pass Sticker (Temporary Employment) in accordance with the approved period of VDR in the approval letter.
  • Once the FDH has received the Visitor’s Pass Sticker (Temporary Employment), she is allowed to work until the deadline stated on the sticker. PL(KS) concerned.
How to extend the Visitor's Pass/Temporary Employment (PL/KS)?
  • Applications for the extension of a foreign worker’s PL(KS) can be made at the Immigration Office of the State or the Foreign Workers Division, Head Office within three months of the PL(KS)’s expiry date.
  • Employers must ensure that the worker undergoes a medical examination at any clinic that is registered with FOMEMA Pte. Ltd. and certified healthy before any application for second and third year extension of service is submitted to the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
  • All matters pertaining to foreign workers’ extension of service [PL(KS)] in all sectors must be submitted by the employer unless the renewal of the FDH can be handled by employment agencies registered with the Department.
  • Incomplete application or application that is not in order will be rejected.
  • Payment for the extension includes the levy, visa fees according to the type of visa and the nationality of the FDH, the payment process and fees for the PL(KS).
  • Documents required:
    • Copy of Worker’s passport with a validity period of not less than 12 months.
    • Adequate payment in the form of bank draft or money order should be made payable to the Director General of Immigration, Malaysia or the Director of Immigration Affairs (where payment is made). Name and address of the employer must be written on the back of the bank draft.

Notice: Make sure the FDH has passed the medical examination by FOMEMA Pte. Ltd. for second and third year extension of service only.

How to apply for replacement Of Foreign Domestic Helper (FDH)?

The employer may submit an application for a change of or replacement of the FDH that has been approved for Visa With Reference under two circumstances:

  • The worker has entered the country but is not medically fit. In order to apply for a replacement, the employer should submit the required documents:
    • Employer’s application letter
    • Letter of Approval for Visa With Reference
    • Check Out Memo
    • The original payment receipt
  • The worker did not enter the country after the approval of the VDR is issued. In order to apply for a replacement, the employer should submit the required documents:
    • Employer’s application letter
    • Letter of approval for Visa With Reference
    • The original payment receipt
    • Letter of visa cancellation from the representative office in the employee’s country of origin (if any)
How to apply Check Out Memo?
  • The Check Out Memo is issued to foreign workers/ foreign domestic helpers to facilitate their return to their country of origin.
  • In order to apply for the Check Out Memo, the employer should submit the required documents:
    • Application form for Check Out Memo
    • Copy of Original passport of foreign worker.
    • Ticket for the foreign worker to return to the country of origin.
  • The employer should ensure that the foreign employees returns to their country of origin via the requested exit point on the date stipulated in the Check Out Memo.
  • If the employer fails to apply for the Check Out Memo, the foreign workers are still considered to be under his employment and the employer is still responsible for the foreign workers.
How to report Foreign Workers who have absconded?
  • The employer / reporter must be present at the relevant Immigration Office to submit the following documents so as to cancel the Foreign Worker / Foreign Domestic Helper’s PL (KS).
    • Copy of employer’s / representative’s identity card
    • Copy passport of foreign worker who has absconded
    • Foreign Worker Abscondment Report Form issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia
    • Certified copy of Police Report
    • Foreign Domestic Helpers who have absconded will be blacklisted.
  • Foreign Domestic Helpers who have absconded will be blacklisted.
  • Employers are required to pay bail on personal bond based on the rates that have been signed during the application.