Sarawak eVDR 2026/2027: The Electronic Entry Visa Your Foreign Worker Needs Before Arriving
Direct answer: eVDR (eVisa Dengan Rujukan, or Electronic Visa with Reference) is the electronic entry visa Sarawak issues to non-Sarawakians. Foreign general workers, skilled workers and domestic helpers must apply for it on the basis of an approved Labour Licence, and must hold it before the worker enters Sarawak. Each approved eVDR is valid for 4 months, can be renewed twice, and the total validity caps at 12 months.
Updated 30 October 2026. Official source: the GENESIS Sarawak portal — EVDR module (page text checked 30 October 2026).
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Full name | eVDR = eVisa Dengan Rujukan; in English, Electronic Visa with Reference |
| Which system | One of the four GENESIS modules (SANSOLS / HAVEN / EVDR / EXPRT) |
| Who must apply | Non-resident employees: General Worker, Skilled Worker, and Maid (domestic helper) |
| When | After the Labour Licence is approved, and before the worker enters Sarawak |
| Prerequisites | (1) an approved Labour Licence; (2) a passed medical screening from the source country |
| Who files | The company, through its ALIANCE account — not the worker |
| Validity | 4 months per approval; renewable twice; maximum total 12 months |
| What comes next | Once approved, book SAFHIS screening (at least 3 days ahead) → enter Sarawak → PLKS → Non-Sarawakian Identity Card |
Who This Guide Is For
Employers and HR: your Labour Licence is approved but the worker still cannot enter — this is the step they are stuck on. Workers and families: you want to know how soon entry can happen, and what still has to be done afterwards. Agents and consultants: you need to check that the category matches the role and that the documents agree with each other.
| Role | What you do in this chain |
|---|---|
| Employer (company) | Hold the ALIANCE account (PIC / Admin rights); obtain the Labour Licence; file the eVDR; arrange SAFHIS and PLKS |
| Worker | Complete medical screening in the source country and pass it; hold a passport valid across the whole pass period; attend SAFHIS after arrival |
| Agent | Check the category fits the job, and that the Labour Licence and passport details match word for word |
Where eVDR Sits in the Process
It is the third of six steps. If the first two are not done, the system will not let you start.
- Labour Licence approved — general and skilled workers go through SANSOLS, domestic helpers through HAVEN. This licence is the ticket into eVDR.
- Source-country medical screening — done in the worker's home country, and it has to pass. The official page lists "Source Country Medical Screening Results" as a required document for the eVDR application.
- File the eVDR — log in with the company's ALIANCE account and upload the Labour Licence and the source-country screening results.
- eVDR approved — valid for 4 months from approval.
- Enter Sarawak — entry must happen inside that eVDR validity.
- SAFHIS screening → PLKS → Non-Sarawakian Identity Card (NSIC) — SAFHIS rules state the appointment can only be booked after the VDR is approved in eVDR, and must be booked at least 3 days ahead.
⚠️ The exact order of steps 5 and 6 should follow the approval documents you actually receive and what the ILC counter asks for. It can differ between worker categories. Do not copy someone else's timetable.
Documents Checklist
- Approved Labour Licence (issued through SANSOLS or HAVEN)
- Source-country medical screening results (issued by a facility in the country of origin)
- Passport bio page (name, passport number, expiry)
- Company ALIANCE account (PIC or Admin rights are needed to file)
- Worker particulars — must match the Labour Licence word for word on name and passport number
How the Validity Actually Works
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| First approval | 4 months |
| First renewal | another 4 months (8 months cumulative) |
| Second renewal | another 4 months (12 months cumulative, the cap) |
| Beyond 12 months | No further renewal — the process starts again |
One thing worth being clear about: the 4 months is an entry window, not a permission to work. Whether the worker may work in Sarawak, and for how long, is decided by the PLKS that comes later — not by the eVDR.
Common Problems
1. Filing the eVDR without a Labour Licence. The official wording is that the eVDR is applied for "using the approved Labour Licence". No licence, no application.
2. Name or passport number that does not match the Labour Licence. This is the most common rejection. An extra space, a missing letter, or a passport replaced without updating the file will all stop it.
3. Using a Peninsular Malaysia or Sabah approval in Sarawak. It does not carry over. Sarawak administers immigration under MA63, and a federal approval is not automatically a Sarawak one.
4. Assuming the eVDR is the PLKS. It is not. The eVDR governs whether the worker can enter; the PLKS governs whether they can work and reside. Different stages, different documents.
5. Booking SAFHIS too late. The appointment must be made at least 3 days ahead, and only after the eVDR is approved. Leave it until the worker lands and the schedule stalls.
6. Being contacted by someone impersonating GENESIS. The official page lists the only channels it uses: genesis.sarawak.gov.my, admin.genesis@sarawak.gov.my, admin.sansols@sarawak.gov.my, no-reply@aliance.biz, no-reply@sarawaksansols.com, no-reply@securepayment2u.com, fwta.gov.securepayment2u.com, and the number +60 16-811 0799. Anything else should be treated as fraud.
FAQ
How much does the eVDR cost? The official EVDR page does not publish a fee. Charges appear at the payment stage inside ALIANCE after submission, and can differ by category. Figures circulating online are usually agency package prices covering the Labour Licence, levy, insurance and screening — not the eVDR line item. Ask what is included before comparing quotes.
How long does approval take? The official page does not state a processing time. Any "three days" or "guaranteed within a week" claim is therefore not official, and should not be treated as a commitment.
Do West Malaysians or Sabahans need an eVDR? No visa — they are Malaysian citizens. But working in Sarawak still requires Sarawak state approval (EXPRT for expatriates, SANSOLS for general and skilled workers). A visa and a work approval are two different things.
Do Employment Pass (EXPRT) holders need an eVDR? The official EVDR page names General Worker, Skilled Worker and Maid. Expatriates go through the EXPRT route, so do not apply this page to them.
The eVDR was approved but the worker did not enter within 4 months. What happens? It expires. Whether and how it can be renewed should be confirmed through official channels — the framework is "renewable twice, 12 months maximum", but your own approval documents govern the individual case. Do not guess at dates.
Can dependants come along on the same eVDR? The eVDR covers that one worker only. Dependants fall under separate pass categories and are outside the scope of this page.
Want Someone to Walk You Through It?
Message our consultants on WhatsApp and tell us three things: which category of worker, whether the Labour Licence is approved, and which country the worker is in. We will tell you which step you are stuck on and what to prepare next — no promises about outcomes, just a workable path.
Related Guides
- Sarawak work permit 2026/2027: the complete guide — work out whether you belong on EXPRT or SANSOLS first
- SANSOLS: the Sarawak foreign worker application guide — how the labour licence for general and skilled workers is obtained
- Hiring a maid in Sarawak: the HAVEN online application guide — domestic helpers go through HAVEN, not SANSOLS
Sources:
- GENESIS Sarawak official portal — EVDR module:
genesis.sarawak.gov.my/EVDR(definition, eligible categories, validity of 4 months / renewable twice / 12-month cap, required documents, ALIANCE submission; checked 30 October 2026) - GENESIS — SAFHIS medical screening booking page:
genesis.sarawak.gov.my/immigration-&-labour-integrated-centre/bookings("Must be upon the approval of Visa Dengan Rujukan (VDR) in eVDR"; book 3 days ahead; checked 30 October 2026) - GENESIS — Immigration & Labour Integrated Centre:
genesis.sarawak.gov.my/immigration-&-labour-integrated-centre(five centres at Kuching / Sibu / Bintulu / Miri: Piasau Business Park, Jalan Bulatan Park / Mukah; Mon–Fri 8:30–17:30; checked 30 October 2026) - GENESIS official anti-fraud notice (list of official contact domains and phone number, checked 30 October 2026)
- Sarawak administers immigration under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)
