From 1 November 2026, Permission to Study under the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) will extend to eligible spouses holding a Dependant Pass. Applications for Permission to Study and Permission to Work at a Second Location will also be available online through the Sub-Product menu on the ESD platform.
Requirements and application processes remain unchanged for companies under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and MIDA Expatriate System (MES).
Permission to Study is a stamp endorsement issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia that lets eligible Dependant Pass holders study in Malaysia without changing their existing immigration pass. Permission to Work at a Second Location lets Employment Pass holders work at another branch or location of the same sponsoring company, beyond the location covered by their original pass.
The latest developments are summarised as follows:
| Service | Current position | New position
(Effective 1 November 2026) |
| Permission to Study – Dependant Pass Holder |
|
|
| Permission to Work at a
Second Location |
|
|
Extending Permission to Study to eligible spouses on a Dependant Pass may make Malaysia a more attractive assignment destination. Subject to eligibility requirements, spouses will have greater flexibility to study while retaining their existing immigration status, which may improve the relocation experience for employees and their families.
Online applications for Permission to Study and Permission to Work at a Second Location may reduce administration and simplify case management, helping employers manage expatriate immigration matters more efficiently through the centralised ESD platform.
The immigration authorities have yet to confirm eligibility criteria and documentation requirements for spouses applying for Permission to Study. We will keep organisations updated and, once further guidance is available, we will be able to assess the implications and support implementation.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Sasha Reddy
Partner
Hana Rabi
Senior Manager
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