Sponsor in Category III
Dependant application rejected because the sponsor earns under MYR 10,000.
The fix. Raise the salary into Category II at renewal, or the spouse applies for an own Employment Pass.
Malaysia Dependant Pass and Long-Term Social Visit Pass for Indian families
The spouse and children under 18 of an Employment Pass holder in Category I or II join on a Dependant Pass; parents and parents-in-law, children over 18 and common-law partners use the Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP). Both are applied for by the sponsor's employer through the Expatriate Services Division, cost MYR 60 a year plus the visa with reference, and run for the same period as the sponsor's pass. Spouses of Malaysian citizens apply directly to the Immigration Department for a five-year LTSVP after the marriage is registered in Malaysia. Dependant Pass holders may study without a Student Pass and, since 2023, spouses may work with a simple endorsement rather than a separate pass.
Malaysia Dependant Pass and Long-Term Social Visit Pass: quick answers
Who qualifies for a Dependant Pass? The legally married spouse and unmarried children under 18 (including legally adopted children) of an Employment Pass holder earning MYR 10,000 a month or more (Category I or II), of a Residence Pass-Talent holder or of a DE Rantau Nomad Pass holder. Category III holders cannot sponsor family. Parents, parents-in-law, stepchildren, children aged 18 to 24 in full-time study and disabled children of any age use the Long-Term Social Visit Pass.
What does it cost? MYR 60 per year of validity for each Dependant Pass or LTSVP, matched to the sponsor's pass, plus the single-entry visa with reference of up to MYR 50 for Indian passports and the ESD or agent processing charge. A spouse's work endorsement is free; an LTSVP for the spouse of a Malaysian citizen costs MYR 90 a year with a MYR 500 security bond for Indian nationals.
How long does it take from India? Dependant applications filed together with the sponsor's Employment Pass are decided at the same time, in about 15 working days; filed later, about 7 to 10 working days through ESD. The visa with reference takes 2 to 5 working days at the High Commission or consulates, and endorsement in Malaysia about a week.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Dependant Pass (spouse, children under 18) or Long-Term Social Visit Pass (parents, adult children, partners) |
| Government fee | MYR 60 per year each; visa with reference up to MYR 50 |
| Processing | 7 to 15 working days via ESD; 2 to 5 days for the visa |
| Sponsor | Employment Pass Category I or II, RP-T, DE Rantau, or a Malaysian citizen |
| Work rights | Spouse may work with an immigration endorsement; LTSVP holders need an Employment Pass |
| Study | Children may attend school without a Student Pass |
| Duration | Same as the sponsor's pass; 5 years for spouses of Malaysians |
| Verified | 29 Oct 2026 against esd.imi.gov.my |
Who qualifies, and which pass applies
| Family member | Pass | Sponsor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse | Dependant Pass | EP Category I or II, RP-T, DE Rantau | May work with an endorsement; registered marriage required |
| Children under 18 | Dependant Pass | Same | Unmarried; adopted with court order |
| Children 18 to 24 | Long-Term Social Visit Pass | Same | Full-time students in Malaysia |
| Parents and parents-in-law | Long-Term Social Visit Pass | EP Category I or II | Sponsor shows capacity to support |
| Common-law partner | Long-Term Social Visit Pass | EP Category I or II | Evidence of relationship |
| Spouse of a Malaysian citizen | LTSVP, 5 years | Malaysian spouse | Marriage registered with JPN; work endorsement available |
Indian marriage and birth certificates must be apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs and, for spouses of Malaysians, the marriage must be registered with Malaysia's National Registration Department (JPN) before the LTSVP is filed; Hindu, Muslim, Christian and special-marriage certificates are all accepted once apostilled. ESD asks for the sponsor's pass, the relationship documents, the dependant's passport valid for at least the pass period and photos.
A dependant spouse can work for any employer by obtaining an endorsement on the Dependant Pass through the employer's ESD account, without meeting the Employment Pass salary bands; this has made the Dependant Pass more useful than an own-name Category III pass for many Indian couples. LTSVP holders who wish to work need their own Employment Pass. Children on either pass attend international, private or public schools without a Student Pass.
Fees and what they cover
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dependant Pass | MYR 60 per year | Matched to the sponsor's pass validity |
| Long-Term Social Visit Pass (sponsored by EP holder) | MYR 60 per year | Parents, adult children, partners |
| Visa with reference (Indian passport) | Up to MYR 50 | Single entry, at the High Commission or consulate |
| Spouse work endorsement | Free | Via the employer's ESD account |
| LTSVP for spouse of a Malaysian | MYR 90 per year + MYR 500 bond | 5 years, renewable |
| Journey Performed visa (arrived without visa with reference) | MYR 500 | Avoid by obtaining the visa in India |
Fees are paid by the employer or the family at endorsement. Vistolane charges MYR 60 per dependant at the official rate, arranges the apostilles in India and files the dependants with the main applicant so the family travels together.
How the application runs, step by step
- Apostille the certificates. Marriage and birth certificates apostilled by the MEA; register the marriage with JPN if the sponsor is Malaysian.
- Employer files on ESD. Dependant Pass or LTSVP application with the sponsor's pass details, passports and photos; decision in 7 to 15 working days.
- Visa with reference in India. 2 to 5 working days at the New Delhi High Commission or Mumbai and Chennai consulates; avoid the MYR 500 Journey Performed fee by not arriving without it.
- Enter and endorse. Submit the MDAC, enter within the approval validity; the employer submits passports for the pass stickers.
- Work endorsement (spouse). The spouse's employer requests the endorsement through ESD; no salary band applies.
Timeline for an Indian family
| Stage | Typical time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille | 1 to 2 weeks | MEA apostille of marriage and birth certificates |
| ESD decision | 7 to 15 working days | Together with or after the sponsor's pass |
| Visa with reference | 2 to 5 working days | High Commission or consulate |
| Endorsement | About 1 week | Passport submitted after arrival |
| Renewal | With the sponsor's pass | 3 months before expiry |
Dependants cannot be approved before the sponsor's Employment Pass; filing both together is fastest. A Category III sponsor who is promoted into Category II can add dependants at the next renewal.
After arrival: work, schooling and changes
Dependant Passes end when the sponsor's pass ends, including on resignation, so a family switching employers should have the new approval before cancelling. Children turning 18 move from a Dependant Pass to an LTSVP if they study full-time in Malaysia, or leave the sponsorship. Parents on an LTSVP must show the sponsor's continued ability to support them at each renewal.
Spouses of Malaysian citizens progress from the five-year LTSVP to permanent residence after five years of residence and continued marriage, with work rights through the endorsement throughout. Dependants of expatriates do not have an independent route to permanent residence; the sponsor's Residence Pass-Talent extends their stay to 10 years.
Document checklist: identity and relationship
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Passport valid for the pass period | Each dependant; 12 months minimum advised |
| Photos, white background | ESD specification |
| Marriage certificate, apostilled | MEA apostille; JPN registration if the sponsor is Malaysian |
| Birth certificates, apostilled | Children; adoption order where applicable |
Sponsor
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Sponsor's Employment Pass approval or sticker | Category I or II, RP-T or DE Rantau |
| Sponsor's employment contract and payslips | ESD checks the salary band |
| Support letter and statements | For parents and adult children on LTSVP |
Entry
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Visa with reference | Obtained in India to avoid the MYR 500 Journey Performed fee |
| Malaysia Digital Arrival Card | Within 3 days before arrival |
| School offer letter | Children, optional but useful |
Why applications on this route get refused, and the fix
Certificates not apostilled
Indian marriage or birth certificates rejected by ESD.
The fix. Apostille through the MEA before filing; Vistolane arranges it.
Arrived without the visa with reference
Family charged the MYR 500 Journey Performed fee or refused endorsement.
The fix. Collect the visa in India after approval.
Working without the endorsement
Spouse found working on a plain Dependant Pass.
The fix. Have the employer request the endorsement first; it is free.
Sponsor's pass cancelled
Dependants lost status when the sponsor resigned.
The fix. Secure the new employer's approval before cancellation.
Official sources
Questions, answered
How much is the Malaysia Dependant Pass for Indians?
MYR 60 per year of validity for each dependant, plus the single-entry visa with reference of up to MYR 50 for Indian passports; the spouse's work endorsement is free.
Can my spouse work in Malaysia on a Dependant Pass?
Yes, with an endorsement requested by the spouse's employer through ESD; no Employment Pass salary band applies. Long-Term Social Visit Pass holders need their own Employment Pass.
Can a Category III Employment Pass holder bring family?
No. Only Category I and II holders (MYR 10,000 a month and above), Residence Pass-Talent and DE Rantau holders can sponsor a Dependant Pass.
Can my parents join me in Malaysia?
Yes, on a Long-Term Social Visit Pass sponsored by a Category I or II Employment Pass holder, MYR 60 a year, renewed with the sponsor's pass.
Does Vistolane handle Malaysia family passes?
Yes. Vistolane arranges the MEA apostilles, files dependants with the sponsor through the employer's ESD account, obtains the visa with reference in India and charges MYR 60 per dependant at the official rate.