Sharing Employment Pass (EP) + Dependent Pass (DP) Timeline 鈥 Category 1
Hi everyone,
I鈥檇 like to share my Employment Pass (EP) + Dependent Pass (DP) timeline for reference, in case it helps others who are currently going through a similar process.
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Background
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 EP Category 1
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 Dependent Pass: wife + 1 child
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 EP and DP applications were submitted together by employer
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Timeline
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 24 November 2025
EP and Dependent Pass (wife & child) were submitted together by employer via the ESD / MDEC system.
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 4 December 2025
EP status showed 鈥淚n MDEC: Verification Stage.鈥
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 8 December 2025
Both Dependent Pass applications (wife & child) moved to
鈥淚n IMM: Decision Stage,鈥
while EP was still showing MDEC: Verification Stage at that time.
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 17 December 2025
EP was approved (Stage 1 / MDEC Approved) and officially moved to the IMM stage,
and I received the EP approval letter from my employer.
At the same time, both Dependent Pass applications were still showing
鈥淚n IMM: Decision Stage.鈥
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 18 December 2025
I immediately applied for eVisa via the MyVisa Portal.
The eVisa was approved within a few hours and was available for download on the same day.
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Current Status (as of this post)
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 EP: Approved (Stage 1 completed, approval letter received, eVisa approved)
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 DP (wife & child): Still In IMM: Decision Stage
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Total Processing Time (EP 鈥 Stage 1)
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 From submission (24 Nov 2025) to EP approval (17 Dec 2025)
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 Approximately 18 working days in total
(Actual duration may vary depending on case complexity, submission volume, and year-end processing.)
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Notes / Observations
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 DP status can remain at IMM: Decision Stage even after EP Stage 1 is approved.
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 EP and DP timelines do not always update simultaneously in the system.
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 Once EP approval was in place, eVisa processing via MyVisa Portal was very fast.
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Next Stage: Pass Endorsement & EP Issuance
After EP Stage 1 approval and eVisa issuance, the next step is:
Pass Endorsement / EP Issuance
(This may also be referred to as EP endorsement, EP activation, or EP card issuance.)
Based on guidance from employer HR:
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 The endorsement process is done after arrival in Malaysia
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 Applicant must enter Malaysia using the approved eVisa
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 Passport endorsement / EP issuance is handled locally in Malaysia
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 Estimated processing time: ~5 working days
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Why eVisa Is Required First
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 eVisa is required to legally enter Malaysia for EP activation
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 Endorsement cannot be completed remotely
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 Physical presence in Malaysia is required for:
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 passport submission
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 EP issuance / activation
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Estimated Working Start Date
According to HR:
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 EP endorsement / issuance: ~5 working days
聽 聽 鈥⒙ 聽 Applicant can start working only after endorsement is completed
Sequence summary:
聽 聽 1.聽 聽 EP approved (Stage 1 completed, approval letter received)
聽 聽 2.聽 聽 eVisa approved
聽 聽 3.聽 聽 Travel to Malaysia
聽 聽 4.聽 聽 Pass endorsement / EP issuance (~5 working days)
聽 聽 5.聽 聽 Start working
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Hope this consolidated timeline helps anyone who is currently waiting or comparing statuses.
I鈥檒l share another update once the Dependent Pass approvals and endorsement process are completed.
