Malaysia sets cutoff rules for 275 agencies hiring Nepali workers

A total of 275 recruitment agencies based in Nepal will supply workers to Malaysia from 5 November 2026 onwards under updated guidelines. According to a circular issued on 6 October 2026 (20 Asoj) by Bestinet Sdn. Bhd., which runs the digital platform for managing foreign workers, the approved firms comprise 25 principal recruitment agencies and 250 associate recruitment agencies already recorded in the system. Bestinet stated that the shift requires distinct transition deadlines for existing worker registrations. Medical facilities and recruitment agencies must finish pending medical examinations and results on time so that visa with reference procedures can advance. Workers who cleared health checks by 15 October under the outgoing setup must conclude their documentation by 31 October 2026. The memo also outlines preparations for recruitment partners before the new operational mechanism launches. Bestinet plans to host a training session covering system enrolment and user account activation for principal recruitment agencies on 26 October 2026. Official registration invitations along with the required platform web links will be delivered to designated agencies on 4 November 2026. Following these deadlines, coordination among recruiting firms, testing facilities and visa authorization units will follow the restructured framework. Bestinet noted that these coordinated steps will govern the movement of Nepali labour headed to Malaysia under the streamlined FWCMS portal.