Employment Pass (Skilled Work): Fees Breakdown for Nigerians ₦396,634
Below is the complete breakdown of Employment Pass (Skilled Work) fees for Nigerian applicants moving to Malaysia. Every line item is verified against the official immigration authority schedule — application fee, health surcharge, language test, credential evaluation, and other government fees.
Employment Pass (Skilled Work) fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ₦396,634 (~$290 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Not required | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Health surcharge | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test (IELTS/TEF) | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Total government fees | ₦396,634 (~$290 USD) |
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 21 June 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
What each fee covers
The ₦396,634 total is made up of several distinct charges. Here is what you are actually paying for:
- Visa application fee — ₦396,634: Paid to the Malaysia immigration authority when you submit your application. Non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
Expert tip
Employment Pass (Skilled Work)
The Employment Pass is the skilled-work route, and the salary thresholds rose sharply on 1 June 2026: Category I needs MYR 20,000/month basic salary (pass up to 10 years), Category II MYR 10,000–19,999, and Category III MYR 5,000–9,999 (up to 5 years). Only basic salary counts — allowances and bonuses are excluded. Your employer sponsors the application. For Nigerian graduates, the realistic target after a Graduate Pass is Category III (MYR 5,000+). Tech, finance and oil & gas roles in Kuala Lumpur are the strongest fits.
Where Nigerians settle in Malaysia
Once your Employment Pass (Skilled Work) is approved, most Nigerians head to Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru. Here is what to budget for your first year:
- Kuala Lumpur: 1-bedroom rent ₦603,215/month · Lagos–Kuala Lumpur flights from ~$750 · Nigerian community: Medium
- Johor Bahru: 1-bedroom rent ₦380,108/month · Lagos–Johor Bahru flights from ~$780 · Nigerian community: Small
Life in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the hub for universities, jobs and the Nigerian community. A 1-bedroom averages around MYR 1,825/month (~$460) — cheaper than almost any Western study destination — with student-friendly areas like Bukit Bintang, Setapak and Wangsa Maju near campuses. Students sharing accommodation often spend MYR 1,800–2,500/month all-in. No direct flight from Lagos; connect via Doha (Qatar), Dubai/Addis (Ethiopian) or Istanbul (Turkish) for roughly $680–810 one-way. KL is modern, English-friendly and well-connected by LRT/MRT.
4% of Nigerians who use Japa Calculator choose Malaysia as their destination. Average Japa Score: 62/100. Most common salary expectation among applicants: ₦250K–₦600K.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the Employment Pass (Skilled Work) cost for Nigerians moving to Malaysia?
- Total government fees for the Employment Pass (Skilled Work) are ₦396,634 (about $290). This covers the visa application fee, and any other applicable government charges.
- How long does Employment Pass (Skilled Work) processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the Employment Pass (Skilled Work) is 1–2 months once employer-sponsored. Apply from the Malaysia High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos — book your appointment slot as early as possible, as backlogs frequently add 2–4 weeks beyond the official window.
- What documents do I need to apply for the Employment Pass (Skilled Work) from Nigeria?
- You will need a valid Nigerian international passport (at least 6 months validity beyond your intended travel date), completed application form, recent passport photographs, and supporting evidence of eligibility.
- Where do most Nigerians settle after relocating to Malaysia?
- Kuala Lumpur is the most popular destination for Nigerians relocating to Malaysia. Average 1-bedroom rent is ₦603,215 per month. The Nigerian community in Kuala Lumpur is smaller but active; diaspora associations and online groups help new arrivals settle quickly.
Related guides
Sibling variants of this visa route and other ways into Malaysia.
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Start Free CalculatorData methodology: Visa fees sourced from official immigration authority schedules. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 21 June 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last verified: 2026-06-02