Guide
Calling Visa Malaysia: What VDR Approval Means
Calling visa is an informal name for Malaysia’s Visa With Reference (VDR). If an employer says yours is approved, ask whether Immigration has approved the reference or the Malaysian mission has already issued the entry visa. This guide explains the stages on the foreign-worker route.
What happens before a foreign worker travels
For foreign workers in Peninsular Malaysia, the employer files a Visa Dengan Rujukan (VDR) application with the Immigration Department's Foreign Workers Division through the FWCMS system. The worker remains in the country of origin while the application is processed.
After VDR approval, the worker obtains an entry visa from the Malaysian mission in the country of origin. Work-pass processing is a separate step that takes place after arrival in Malaysia.
Sabah and Sarawak follow their respective state jurisdictions for foreign-worker entry. The FWCMS route described here applies to Peninsular Malaysia.
| Stage | Who acts | What it establishes |
|---|---|---|
| VDR filing | Employer, through FWCMS | The employer's application for approval to bring in a foreign worker |
| VDR approval | Immigration Foreign Workers Division | Immigration approves the reference. The entry visa and work pass are separate steps. |
| Entry visa issuance | Malaysian mission in the worker's country of origin | The mission issues the entry visa after reference approval. Follow the official instructions for travel and entry. |
| Work-pass processing | Immigration Department, after arrival | The temporary employment pass, called PLKS, is processed after arrival. Immigration’s published route includes a medical screening step before issuance. |
Sources: Immigration Department: foreign workers (pre-arrival and post-arrival stages)
Why VDR can refer to different stages
In its general visa guidance, Immigration uses VDR for the visa issued by a Malaysian mission after approval. The foreign-worker guidance also uses VDR when describing the earlier employer application and its approval. Ask whether the reference was approved or the visa was issued.
Ask the employer or filer which stage has been reached and which authority issued the document, rather than relying on the name alone.
What to ask the employer or filer
If you are told your calling visa is approved or ready, confirm these details with the employer or filing agent before making travel arrangements.
- Which stage has been completed: VDR approval, entry visa issuance or another step?
- Which authority issued the approval or document, and what instructions are on it?
- Is an entry visa from the Malaysian mission still pending, or has it been issued?
- Is there a further pass or endorsement step after arrival in Malaysia?
- For Sabah or Sarawak, does the state jurisdiction require a different route?
Employment Pass and Student Pass follow separate routes
On the Employment Pass route, the employer uses ESD. The company’s approval letter, any VDR required before entry and the endorsed ePASS are separate steps. On the student route, the eVAL is the approval letter, followed by an entry visa if applicable and separate Student Pass endorsement.
Ask the employer about the Employment Pass route or the education institution about the Student Pass route and the instructions for your case.
Sources: ESD: myXpats FAQ (employer filing and ePASS endorsement) · Education Malaysia: FAQ (eVAL and Student Pass) · Employment Pass preparation guide · Employment Pass status check
Checking your visa or pass status
If you are looking for the status of a pending or issued visa, use the official portal for your visa type. The Malaysia visa check guide explains which portal applies to an eVISA, Employment Pass or Student Pass.
Sources: Malaysia visa check guide
Ringkasan: visa panggilan Malaysia
Visa panggilan ialah istilah biasa bagi Visa Dengan Rujukan (VDR). Bagi laluan pekerja asing di Semenanjung Malaysia, majikan memohon VDR melalui FWCMS kepada Bahagian Pekerja Asing, Jabatan Imigresen. Selepas rujukan diluluskan, pejabat perwakilan Malaysia di negara asal mengeluarkan visa masuk.
Pas kerja diproses secara berasingan selepas ketibaan di Malaysia. Sabah dan Sarawak mempunyai bidang kuasa masing-masing. Pemohon Pas Penggajian (Employment Pass) dan Pas Pelajar menggunakan laluan yang berbeza, bukan FWCMS.
Tanya majikan atau ejen pemfailan tentang peringkat yang telah selesai dan arahan pada dokumen kelulusan sebelum membuat persiapan perjalanan.
Attestation for supporting documents
ThinkPlus coordinates supporting-document attestation and legalisation for clients who need documents prepared for a visa or work-pass application. ThinkPlus does not file VDR applications, recruit foreign workers, issue visas, retrieve application status or act on behalf of any government authority.
If your documents need attestation or legalisation before the employer files, send us the document type, issuing country, destination and deadline.
Questions
Is a calling visa the same as a work permit?
No. For the foreign-worker route, reference approval and the entry visa are pre-arrival stages. The temporary employment pass is processed separately after arrival. Ask the employer which stage has been completed.
Can I check my calling visa status online?
Ask the employer or filer which system was used. For an eVISA or Employment Pass, check the relevant official portal. The Malaysia visa check guide lists the portals by visa type.
Does ThinkPlus file the VDR or arrange the visa?
ThinkPlus coordinates supporting-document attestation and legalisation. On the foreign-worker route described here, the employer files through FWCMS and the Malaysian mission issues the entry visa.
Related
Supporting documents
Need attestation for a supporting document?
Tell us the type of document, its issuing country and who asked for attestation. Ask the filer or issuing authority about the visa application.