Malaysia Announces Eligible Countries for Foreign Workers

Malaysia's Immigration Department has published a list of 15 nationalities eligible to work in key sectors of its economy under the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System. The sectors include manufacturing, construction, agriculture, plantation, and services.

Indonesia has the broadest access, allowing its nationals to work in all sectors. Other countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan have similar permissions, though specific sectoral approvals are subject to quotas managed by Malaysia's One Stop Centre under the Ministry of Human Resources.

Male Nepali workers can work in all sectors and qualify for security roles, while Filipino workers face gender-based restrictions. Indian nationals are limited to the service sector and specific sub-sectors.

All foreign workers must be aged 18-45, certified healthy, and not on any prohibited entry lists. Notably, no African countries are included in the approved list, excluding workers from nations like Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.