Maid Work Permit, Documents & Requirements in Malaysia

For many families, the paperwork is the most intimidating part of hiring a maid in Malaysia.

The helper may be suitable. The family may be ready. The cost may be understood. But once terms like VDR, PLKS, FOMEMA, security bond, personal bond, IM.12, IM.38 and PRA1 appear, the process can suddenly feel confusing.

The good news is that the documents are not random. Each one has a purpose: some prove the employer is eligible, some allow the helper to enter Malaysia, some allow her to work legally, and some protect the household, the helper and the authorities if something goes wrong.

This guide explains the documents and permits involved in hiring a domestic helper in Malaysia, what each one does, and what families usually need to prepare. It pairs with our step-by-step hiring guide — that guide explains the whole journey; this one goes deeper into the paperwork.

Checked as of May 2026. Permit, bond, medical and document requirements are set by the authorities and may change. Treat this as a plain-English guide, not a final checklist. A licensed agency should confirm the current requirements for your exact situation before submission.

In short: the paperwork has four purposes

The easiest way to understand maid work permit documents is to group them by purpose:

1. Entry approval — documents that allow the helper to enter Malaysia for the approved employment process.
2. Legal work permission — documents that allow the helper to work legally for the employer.
3. Employer eligibility and responsibility — documents that prove the employer qualifies and accepts responsibility.
4. Health, insurance and protection — medical screening, insurance and related protection requirements.

Seen this way, it becomes less intimidating. It is not one big pile of forms — it is a sequence.

The main documents and permits at a glance

Document / item	What it means	Why it matters	Mainly handled by
Visa With Reference (VDR)	Entry approval before the helper comes to Malaysia	Allows the helper to enter for the approved employment process	Agency applies; Immigration approves
PLKS work pass	Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara, commonly called the work permit	Allows the helper to work legally for the approved employer	Agency processes
Security / personal bond	Refundable bond required by Immigration	Shows employer responsibility; may be returned if employment ends properly	Employer funds; agency arranges
Insurance	Required medical, hospitalisation and personal-accident protection	Provides coverage during employment	Agency arranges
FOMEMA medical screening	Health screening after arrival and per the applicable renewal schedule	Confirms the helper meets health requirements	Clinic performs; agency guides timing
Employer documents	ID, income proof, household need and forms	Proves the employer is eligible	Employer provides
Helper documents	Passport, source-country documents, medical report and clearances	Supports identity, departure and approval	Helper / source country, via agency
Declaration forms	Religion- or requirement-specific declarations	Needed in certain employer/helper situations	Employer completes where relevant

This table is the simple version. The sections below explain what families should actually understand before submitting anything.

Printable version: Download the Maid Work Permit & Documents Checklist (PDF, 1 page) — the same document table, the employer-document prep list, the form-name decoder (PRA1, PRA2, IM.12, IM.38) and the “what not to do” list, sized to print and keep with the rest of your hiring paperwork.

Visa With Reference (VDR): the entry approval

The Visa With Reference (VDR) is the approval connected to the helper’s entry into Malaysia. Before a foreign domestic helper can enter for employment, the employer’s application must be approved and the VDR issued — without it, the helper cannot simply arrive and begin work.

Think of the VDR as the entry gate. It does not replace the work pass; it is part of the process before the helper enters Malaysia, and the proper employment documentation continues after arrival. For first-time employers, the important point is this: do not treat arrival as the beginning of the process — the approval work starts before the helper travels.

PLKS: the work pass people usually call the “work permit”

The PLKS stands for Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara (Temporary Employment Visit Pass). This is the pass that allows the domestic helper to work legally for the approved employer in Malaysia. Many families casually call it the “maid work permit,” which is understandable — but in official terms the PLKS is the temporary employment pass that must be processed and renewed according to the applicable requirements.

The PLKS matters because it connects the helper to the legal employment arrangement. If it is not handled properly, the employer may face problems later with renewal, medical screening, compliance or proper exit when employment ends.

Security bond: refundable, but still important

Immigration Malaysia requires a security or personal bond for foreign domestic helper employment. For common Indonesian and Filipino placements, the reference amounts are RM250 for an Indonesian helper and RM750 for a Filipino helper; other approved source countries may differ.

The bond is often misunderstood. Families sometimes think of it as a normal fee, but it is better understood as a refundable guarantee — it may be returned when the helper’s employment ends properly through the correct process. This is why proper exit matters: if the helper leaves employment incorrectly, absconds, or the process is mishandled, the bond may be affected.

Insurance: protection during employment

Insurance is part of a proper employment arrangement. Depending on current requirements and the source-country process, this may include medical, hospitalisation and personal-accident protection — families may hear terms such as SPIKPA in relation to hospitalisation coverage.

The key point is not the label but the clarity: insurance should be arranged clearly, renewed when required, and explained as part of the overall cost (see our maid hiring cost guide). Before confirming, ask what insurance is included, whether it’s renewed yearly, what it covers, whether it’s in the package or charged separately, and who tracks the renewal. Insurance should not be a vague afterthought.

FOMEMA medical screening

FOMEMA medical screening is one of the most important post-arrival requirements. After the helper arrives, she must be registered for FOMEMA screening promptly, within the current post-arrival window set by FOMEMA; the screening confirms whether she meets the required health conditions to continue working.

FOMEMA is also repeated according to the applicable renewal schedule. It should not be casually described as “every year” in all cases, because the timing depends on the current rules and renewal stage. As of the current published FOMEMA fee reference, the medical examination fee for a female foreign worker is RM217. Your agency should guide you on registration timing, clinic selection and what happens after the result.

Employer documents: what families usually prepare

The employer’s documents are mostly about proving three things: that you are eligible to hire, that your household has a genuine need, and that you accept responsibility for the employment arrangement. Common employer-side documents may include:

• identity documents;
• proof of income;
• marriage or household-related documents where relevant;
• proof of household need;
• application forms;
• a stamped personal bond;
• the employment agreement;
• declaration forms where applicable.

For common Indonesian and Filipino placements, income requirements differ by source country — Immigration Malaysia lists RM5,000/month for a Filipino helper and RM7,000/month for an Indonesian helper, while other countries may differ. These figures should always be confirmed before submission. Proof of income may involve recent payslips, EPF statements, bank statements or other documents depending on the case and current requirements.

Official forms families may hear about

Some form names sound technical, but they are easier to understand once named. Depending on the case, Immigration Malaysia’s FDH application documents may involve:

• PRA1 — new foreign domestic helper application form;
• PRA2 — replacement foreign domestic helper form;
• IM.12 — PLKS application form;
• IM.38 — visa application form;
• a stamped personal bond;
• a stamped employment agreement;
• a copy of the helper’s passport;
• a medical report from the country of origin;
• relevant declaration forms, including those connected to Muslim foreign domestic helper arrangements where applicable.

You don’t need to memorise these forms — but it helps to recognise they are part of a structured process, not random paperwork. A licensed agency should tell you exactly which forms are needed for your case.

Religion declaration and Muslim-helper requirements

One document area often surprises families: religion. Immigration Malaysia states that Muslim employers may employ only Muslim foreign domestic helpers. For non-Muslim employers employing a Muslim helper, declaration requirements may apply — the employer may need to acknowledge and respect the helper’s religious practice, such as daily prayers and fasting during Ramadan.

This is why religion is not only a matter of comfort; it can also affect eligibility, documentation and helper selection. If your household is Muslim, or if you are considering a Muslim helper, raise this early with the agency so the correct direction is clear from the start. We explain how this affects helper choice in our Indonesian vs Filipino maid guide.

Helper-side documents

The helper also has documents to prepare from her side, which may include a valid passport, source-country clearances, training or departure-related documents, a medical report from the country of origin, employment-related documents required by her home country, and visa or travel documents before departure.

The exact list differs by source country — an Indonesian helper and a Filipino helper may go through different source-country processes, which is one reason families should not assume every placement follows the same timeline. For the employer, the practical point is this: the helper-side documents are usually coordinated through the agency and source-country channel, but delays there can still affect your timeline.

What can delay the paperwork?

Most delays are not mysterious — they usually come from missing, unclear or changing information. Common causes include incomplete employer documents, outdated income proof, missing signatures, a mismatch between names or passport details, unclear household need, source-country processing delays, medical-screening timing, helper passport or travel-document issues, insurance or bond arrangement delays, public holidays or department processing time, and changes in current government requirements.

This is why families should prepare documents early and respond quickly when the agency requests clarification. A one-day delay in providing a document can sometimes create a much longer delay if it misses a submission window.

Renewals: what continues after arrival

Documentation does not end when the helper arrives. After placement begins, families still need to manage renewal matters, which may include PLKS work pass renewal, insurance renewal, levy payment where applicable, FOMEMA medical screening according to the applicable renewal schedule, passport-validity monitoring, employment-agreement updates where required, and the proper exit or check-out process when employment ends.

Extension applications are usually handled before the current pass expires, so it is important to track dates early rather than wait until the last minute. A good agency should help families understand what renews, when to prepare, and what documents may be needed again.

What families should not do

To keep the process safe, avoid these mistakes:

• Don’t assume the helper can start work before the correct approval and pass process.
• Don’t ignore income or eligibility requirements.
• Don’t pay large sums without understanding what documents are being handled.
• Don’t accept vague answers about VDR, PLKS, insurance or FOMEMA.
• Don’t delay providing employer documents once the process has started.
• Don’t assume FOMEMA is optional.
• Don’t forget about renewals after the helper arrives.
• Don’t work with an operator who cannot explain the documentation route clearly.

Paperwork mistakes can create legal, financial and practical problems later.

Why families use a licensed agency for documents

Some employers may be able to submit certain applications directly, depending on the situation and current process. But for most first-time families, the paperwork is detailed, time-sensitive and easy to misunderstand.

A licensed agency gives families a clearer route because it can help with checking eligibility, explaining document requirements, preparing forms, coordinating VDR and PLKS steps, arranging bond and insurance items, guiding FOMEMA timing, coordinating source-country requirements, tracking renewal reminders, and advising what to do if something changes. This is not just convenience — it is risk management. If permits, approvals or medical requirements are not handled properly, the consequences can fall on the employer. You can read more about why this matters in our licensed maid agency guide.

How EZHelper Kreate handles the paperwork

At EZHelper Kreate, documentation guidance is one of the core parts of our service. As a licensed Malaysian agency operated under Agensi Pekerjaan Jobs Kreate Sdn. Bhd. — JTKSM 867B, we help families understand what is required before they commit.

We guide you through employer eligibility checks, document-checklist preparation, income and household-need requirements, helper-side coordination, VDR and PLKS-related steps, security bond and insurance arrangements, FOMEMA timing, arrival coordination, and renewal reminders. Our goal is to make the paperwork feel clear, not confusing. You can follow the wider hiring process, read more about our services, or contact us with your questions.

Final thoughts

The documents behind hiring a maid in Malaysia may look complicated at first, but they serve a clear purpose. The VDR allows the helper to enter; the PLKS allows her to work; the security bond shows employer responsibility; insurance and FOMEMA protect the arrangement; employer documents prove eligibility; and helper-side documents support identity, travel and source-country requirements.

The process is manageable when handled properly — but it is also detailed, time-sensitive and important to get right. If you’d like the paperwork explained clearly and handled through a licensed route, talk to EZHelper Kreate.

Frequently asked questions

What is a VDR?

VDR stands for Visa With Reference. It is the approval connected to the helper’s entry into Malaysia before the employment process continues.

What is a PLKS?

PLKS stands for Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara (Temporary Employment Visit Pass). It is the pass that allows the foreign domestic helper to work legally for the approved employer.

What documents do I need as the employer?

You may need identity documents, proof of income, household-need documents, application forms, declarations, a stamped personal bond and an employment agreement. The exact list depends on your situation and current requirements.

What are PRA1, PRA2, IM.12 and IM.38?

These are forms connected to the foreign domestic helper application process — PRA1 for a new application, PRA2 for replacement, IM.12 for the PLKS application and IM.38 for the visa application. Your agency will confirm which forms apply.

Is the security bond refundable?

Yes — generally refundable when the helper’s employment ends properly through the correct process. For common Indonesian and Filipino placements, the reference amounts are RM250 for Indonesia and RM750 for the Philippines, while other countries may differ.

Do I need FOMEMA every year?

FOMEMA medical screening is required after arrival and again according to the applicable renewal schedule. Don’t assume it is optional, but also don’t assume the schedule is identical every year — confirm the current timing during the process.

Can a Muslim employer hire a non-Muslim helper?

Immigration Malaysia states that Muslim employers may employ only Muslim foreign domestic helpers. Muslim employers should confirm this requirement clearly before choosing a helper.

Can I handle the paperwork myself?

In some cases employers may be able to submit applications directly. However, the process is detailed and the employer remains responsible for getting it right. For most first-time families, a licensed agency is the clearer and safer route.

Can EZHelper Kreate handle all the paperwork?

EZHelper Kreate guides and coordinates the documentation process as part of our placement service — we help families understand what to prepare, what happens next, and how the paperwork fits the wider journey. See our FAQ page or get in touch to start.

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EZHelper Kreate is a licensed domestic helper placement agency in Kuala Lumpur, operated under Agensi Pekerjaan Jobs Kreate Sdn. Bhd. (JTKSM 867B). This guide is general information, not legal advice. Permit, bond, medical and document details were checked in May 2026 against Immigration Malaysia and FOMEMA, and may change.