As an employer of a foreign domestic helper or maid, you are required to renew your helper’s work permit every year. Whether you are an expatriate or a local Malaysian employer, this is something you can easily do by following the set of instructions below.

Update: From January 2024 onwards, FOMEMA requires that foreign workers undergo yearly FOMEMA medical checks in order to renew their annual work permits (Source).

The cost of work permit renewal may vary (averaging between RM610-811 for Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers) depending on the government levy charged by Immigration based on the number of workers you hire and the worker’s nationality.

You can proceed to book your helper a medical examination on the FOMEMA portal and make payment for the RM217 FOMEMA medical fee online. If you’re already registered to a FOMEMA online account, you may log in or create an account online.

FOMEMA will take 3-7 working days to update your worker’s medical result after she has completed the medical examination. Refer to the table below to check if FOMEMA is required for your worker based on which renewal year she is entering:

Once your helper is deemed fit to work by FOMEMA, the next steps towards permit renewal with Malaysian Immigration will differ, based on whether you’re a Malaysian or Expatriate employer.

For Malaysian Employers: Important Update on Work Permit Renewal Portals

Effective 1 February 2025, the ePLKS Immigration online portal no longer facilitates permit renewal applications. Malaysian employers must now use one of the following portals to renew their foreign domestic worker's permit:

• FWCMS: FWCMS
• MYEG: MyEG – Login

Reference: Official Immigration Malaysia Notice

1. If you do not have an FWCMS (or ePLKS) login, you may register your account on the MyPass@JIM online portal (formerly ePLKS@JIM).
2. Click on the 'PENDAFTARAN' tab to begin registration.
3. Complete the registration process to create an FWCMS account.
4. If registration is unsuccessful, you may need to visit the State Immigration Office (based on your worker’s employment address) to complete the process manually.
5. Once your FWCMS account is active, log in using your registered credentials. From the main menu, navigate to the 'ePLKS' dropdown and select 'PLKS Application' to begin the renewal process.
6. To start a new renewal request, click on 'New Application' and select 'Enter Worker Details Manually'.
7. Once all information is entered, the system will check your worker’s eligibility. If the worker’s status appears as 'Eligible', click 'Save' to proceed.
8. After saving the application, the system will prompt you to upload the necessary documents. To proceed, click 'Options' and select 'Worker Information'. Review your worker’s details and ensure all information is correct before uploading the required documents.
9. Once uploaded, the system will request OTP verification, which will be sent to your registered email or mobile number. Enter the OTP to submit your application.
10. Once your application has been submitted, you will need to monitor its progress through the FWCMS system. To check your worker’s permit renewal status, log in and navigate to the 'ePLKS' section.
11. Locate your renewal case in the list and click on it to view the latest updates. The system will indicate whether the application is still being processed or if additional action is required.
12. If your application status updates to 'PENDING PAYMENT', payment must be made before the renewal can be finalised. To proceed, visit the Immigration Online Payment Portal and select 'BAYARAN ePLKS (FWCMS)' to complete the transaction.

Alternatively, you can apply to renew your helper's work permit on MyEG. If you don’t have an existing account, you may register online to utilise their e-services and have your worker’s permit renewed.

Once your application is processed, MYEG now generates an e-Pass that you can download directly from the portal.

You can proceed to apply for your helper’s new permit over-the-counter at the Expatriate Services Division or the relevant Immigration unit processing your expatriate visa. The legal employer must attend at the Expatriate Services Division him/herself if they are renewing their worker’s permit directly; below are the document checklist for employers who are renewing their worker’s work permit themselves:

The employer and worker’s original passport is required upon submission. The new permit will usually be released within 7 working days and you may make payment and have the new work permit issued over-the-counter once it is ready.

Your helper’s permit validity period every year will always follow the validity period of your helper’s first work permit with you, which is dependent on when she first entered Malaysia.

Therefore, permit renewal submission or issuance dates do not affect your helper’s next permit validity period. Therefore, Immigration advises all employers to start the permit renewal process for their helpers three (3) months before her current work permit expires.