20 Best Jobs for Foreigners in Malaysia
As of October 2021, there were more than 140,500 expatriates — and their dependents — living in Malaysia.
Because this country has regularly been described as the Silicon Valley of the East, it’s no wonder so many people from all over the world want to work and live here.
With its relatively low cost of living and diverse, exciting culture, Malaysia has a lot to offer ex-pats from across the globe. The country’s various businesses also benefit from diverse points of view and increased innovation.
Have you ever thought about looking for work in Malaysia for foreigners? Whether you want to find a highly skilled position or unskilled jobs in Malaysia for foreigners, this guide will teach you everything you need to know.
Read on to learn more about the different jobs for foreigners in Malaysia. This guide breaks down the most in-demand jobs, the country’s visa requirements for foreign workers, the best full-time jobs, and the best remote jobs. Let’s dive in!
What Types of Jobs Are in Demand for Foreign Workers in Malaysia?
Malaysia’s economy is quickly recovering from the effects of the 2020 pandemic, and lots of different industries are looking for workers. However, certain types of jobs are in particularly high demand right now, including the 10 listed below:
Project managers are needed in all kinds of companies, from those in the healthcare industry to those in the tech sector. They play a key role in making sure projects get done on time and under budget.
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Because Malaysia has such a large ex-pat community, there is a high demand for translators. They work for various businesses and make sure everyone understands each other.
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As one of the world’s biggest tech hubs, Malaysia employs a wide range of development professionals. This includes web developers and software developers (front-end, back-end, and full-stack).
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In addition to employing a variety of tech professionals, Malaysia also employs many different creative professionals who work in the design industry. This includes graphic designers, artistic directors, and creative directors.
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There is always a demand for healthcare workers in Malaysia. Over the last couple of years, though, the demand has become even greater for nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, and more.
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No matter what kind of products or services a business offers, it needs skilled sales professionals to help it succeed. As Malaysia’s economy grows, so will the need for sales experts.
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Both businesses and individual residents in Malaysia need help managing their finances and making smart investment decisions. As a result, there’s a strong demand for finance professionals here.
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Nearly all of Malaysia’s businesses can benefit from robust customer service teams, too. Those who have experience helping others and working with customers will have an easy time finding work here.
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Similar to the demand for healthcare workers, there is always a demand for educators in Malaysia. From early childhood teachers to university instructors, Malaysia’s schools are regularly looking to hire new talent.
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Lots of businesses in Malaysia need help with marketing their products or services, too. From marketing managers to SEO specialists, there’s a demand for all kinds of marketing professionals here.
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Visa Requirements for Working as a Foreigner in Malaysia
This country offers 3 different types of visas for those on the hunt for Malaysia jobs for expats. They are as follows:
- Employment pass: This if for workers seeking a job in a highly skilled position
- Temporary employment pass: This is for temporary workers, including those seeking unskilled jobs in Malaysia for foreigners — such as jobs in manufacturing, construction, plantation, agriculture, childcare, elderly care
- Professional visit pass: This is for foreign nationals working in Malaysia for up to 12 months who are employed by a foreign company
There are specific age and income requirements that one must meet before they can obtain a Malaysian work visa. This guide breaks those specific requirements down in more detail.
Top 10 Best Full-Time Jobs for Foreigners in Malaysia
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for jobs in Malaysia for foreigners without experience or if you want to find Malaysia jobs for ex-pats with very specific skill sets. In either case, these 10 full-time jobs are all good ones to keep in mind:
App developers work with clients to design apps, then write the code and handle the backend processes necessary to create them. They are currently in high demand throughout Malaysia — and most of the world. – RM 93,000 per year
Browse App Developer Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
Software developers are similar to app developers. Instead of creating mobile apps, though, they create software programs for specific clients. They may work as freelancers or in-house for one company. – RM 115,200 per year
Browse Software Developer Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
Registered nurses are essential to hospitals and medical clinics to keep them running smoothly. They are responsible for facilitating patient care, assisting physicians and surgeons, and communicating with patients and their families. – RM 39,965 per year
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Project managers act as leaders for all kinds of teams. They assign tasks, monitor progress, and work with team members to solve problems and ensure projects get completed on time, under budget, and to the client’s specifications. – RM 86,166 per year
Browse Project Manager Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
Teachers create lesson plans and deliver those plans to students. They answer questions and deliver the information students need to pass exams and gain valuable skills. – RM 30,365 per year
Browse Teacher Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
A marketing manager acts as the leader of a business’s marketing team. They work with team members to plan and execute campaigns, set marketing goals, and analyze data to ensure the business is promoting its products or services effectively. – RM 72,058 per year
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Psychologists work with clients to improve their mental health. They offer to counsel, teach appropriate coping skills, and — when needed — make recommendations for other healthcare professionals. – RM 110,020 per year
Browse Psychologist Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
A cybersecurity specialist works in the tech sector and makes sure businesses’ data is protected online. They play a key role in keeping companies safe and helping them to avoid expensive data breaches. – RM 137,328 per year
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Real estate agents work with clients to assist in the buying and selling of houses, as well as commercial properties. Because so many people are relocating to Malaysia right now, there’s high demand here for real estate agents. – RM 94,000 per year
Browse Real Estate Agent Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
Financial advisors work with individuals and with businesses to help them make wise financial decisions. This includes offering guidance on investments, stock sales, and more. – RM 50,150 per year
Browse Financial Advisor Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
Top 10 Best Remote Jobs for Foreigners in Malaysia
There are plenty of jobs that can be done remotely in Malaysia, too. If you’re on the hunt for opportunities for remote work in Malaysia for foreigners, this list can help. It features the country’s top 10 work-from-home jobs:
If you’re looking for jobs in Malaysia for foreigners without experience, working as a customer service representative is a great choice. As long as you can answer phones or respond to emails, you can do this job. You may even be able to do it from home if you have a computer and internet connection. – RM 32,972 per year
Browse Customer Service Representative Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
Copywriters are key members of a business’s marketing team. They write copy for ads, emails, blog posts, webpages, and more. – RM 78,000 per year
Browse Copywriter Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
Graphic designers are also essential marketing team members. They create logos, design packaging, design graphics for websites, and more. – RM 66,000 per year
Browse Graphic Designer Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
Many web developers work from home writing code, consulting with clients, and creating websites for them. They may work for one business or as freelancers for several businesses. – RM 96,000 per year
Browse Web Developer Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
SEO specialists are essential digital marketing professionals. They help businesses optimize their online content to improve search engine rankings. – RM 60,040 per year
Browse SEO Specialist Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
Data entry specialists are administrative professionals. They work with businesses to collect data from various sources and input it into a central database. – RM 45,138 per year
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Executive assistants work alongside various professionals and assist with scheduling, responding to calls and emails, organizing files, and more. They can easily work from home if they have a computer, a phone, and internet access. – RM 92,260 per year
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Tech support specialists respond to questions and concerns regarding technical matters. This includes fixing software problems and answering questions about how various hardware works. – RM 40,923 per year
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Tutors work with students to help them improve their knowledge of specific subjects and boost their grades. Many work remotely and connect with students via video chat. – RM 44,983 per year
Browse Tutor Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
Many translators work remotely with the help of video and phone technology. They can also translate written documents from one language to another. – RM 55,679 per year
Browse Translator Jobs in Malaysia on GrabJobs
Find the Best Jobs for Foreigners in Malaysia Today
Now that you know more about the options available for jobs for foreigners in Malaysia, are you feeling more confident in your ability to find work in this great country?
Keep the lists in this guide in mind — as well as the information about Malaysian work visas — and you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect job for your needs and unique skills.
If you need more help finding a specific job in Malaysia, GrabJobs can help. Use our free tool today to search for openings by job type, salary, education requirements, experience requirements, and more.
Photo by Huỳnh Chương on Unsplash
