Articles on: Foreign Worker Guide

Hiring and renewing foreign workers: FWCMS, quota, calling visa, FOMEMA and PLKS

FWCMS: where it all happens


FWCMS (Foreign Workers Centralised Management System) is the government system for managing foreign workers, run by Bestinet Sdn Bhd. Since 1 February 2025, PLKS renewals and their insurance go through FWCMS; MyPASS@JIM replaced ePLKS@JIM.


  1. eQuota: apply for a quota (since 6 July 2026, under the Ministry of Human Resources).
  2. eVDR: the calling visa for a new worker.
  3. ePLKS: renew the PLKS and buy the compulsory insurance with an ITR.
  4. eCOM: the Check Out Memo when a worker goes home.


FWCMS help: help.fwcms.com.my · call centre 03-8689 2822.


Hiring a new worker


  1. Quota: advertise the job on MYFutureJobs first, then apply through eQuota in FWCMS.
  2. Calling visa (eVDR): with the approved quota, apply in FWCMS. The worker has a medical screening at home first.
  3. Insurance: buy SPIKPA and the Insurance Guarantee with the eVDR's ITR within 14 days, or FWCMS cancels the application. On eInsurans, calling-visa ITRs are accepted by Generali; for Tokio Marine, WhatsApp us and we arrange the policy for you.
  4. Approval and fees: Immigration approves the VDR; you pay the government fees.
  5. Arrival: the worker enters through an approved entry point; collect them on arrival.
  6. FOMEMA: register the medical exam straight after arrival. The PLKS is issued after a "Suitable" result.


Renewing a PLKS


A PLKS is valid for 12 months. Renew up to 3 months before it expires, and always before it expires; a late application is treated as an overstay.


  1. Passport valid for at least 12 months (update a new passport at Immigration first).
  2. FOMEMA exam passed (yearly; a result is valid for 180 days).
  3. In FWCMS (ePLKS): fill in the renewal, buy the insurance with the ITR, wait for approval, pay the levy and fees, and print the ePASS.


How to buy the insurance with your ITR: Where do I obtain my FWCMS ITR and buy SPIKPA IG?


How long can a worker stay? Immigration states up to 10 years; FWCMS allows renewals up to the 13th year for approved sectors.


FOMEMA in short


  1. Who: new workers soon after arrival (FOMEMA says within 72 hours; Immigration says the exam within 30 days), and every worker every year before the renewal.
  2. Fee (paid by the employer on the FOMEMA portal): male RM207, female RM217, plus 8% SST.
  3. Results go to Immigration, normally within 7 working days. "Unsuitable" means the worker must go home through a Check Out Memo; some results can be appealed within 2 weeks if FOMEMA emails you that the case is eligible.
  4. Insurance tip: SPIKPA's pre-existing illness exclusion is waived when the worker passes FOMEMA within 30 days of arrival.


Sources: help.fwcms.com.my; Immigration Department (Pekerja Asing; notice 1 Feb 2025); fomema2u.com.my; news reports Jul 2025 – Jul 2026. Checked 12 Oct 2026.


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Updated on: 13/10/2026

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