Expat job approvals within 20 days via new integrated platform
KUALA LUMPUR : A new integrated platform will reduce the time it takes to approve employment pass applications for expatriates from months previously to just 20 working days, says human resources minister Steven Sim.
Sim said Xpats Gateway now integrates the processes involving the labour department's Integrated Foreign Workers Management System (ePPAx), MYFutureJobs, and the immigration department's expatriate services division.
'The fully integrated system now consolidates the previously fragmented processes under the labour department, the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), and the immigration department's expatriate services division into a single end-to-end platform.
'Previously, employers had to submit documents across the three different portals and agencies, with the approval process taking four to six months,' he said at a media briefing today.
Sim said employers will no longer have to upload documents and fill in forms on three different platforms, and that the platform was expected to reduce their administrative costs by up to 70%.
He said that in the first week since the platform's launch, 100 companies had submitted employment applications through the system.
'One of them received the approval in seven days, well within the new 20-day benchmark. That is a lot of time and manpower saved. What used to be a 180-day wait has now been cut to a shorter period,' he said.
Sim commended Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp) for leading the platform's development and integration, saying the platform was made in-house.
'TalentCorp's delivery of this platform internally reflects the strength of talent within our public sector, while ensuring sensitive data remains secure and governed within Malaysia,' he said.
Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban voiced support for the integrated platform, saying it would shorten processing time while ensuring transparent documentation in approving expat job passes.
'This collaboration between the home ministry (through the immigration department) and the human resources ministry is an example of a whole-of-government approach to strengthen investor confidence, uphold national security, and deliver more trustworthy and transparent public services,' he said.
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