TalentCorp clarifies that no applications are pending processing for the medical and healthcare REP

This comes after PM Anwar Ibrahim sought details about the process being followed by the agency for handling applications from doctors seeking to return to the nation.

Malaysia's TalentCorp has clarified that there are no applications that are pending processing by the agency for the Returning Expert Programme (REP) for medical and healthcare professionals.

This comes after Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim raised a query about the process being followed by TalentCorp for handling applications from doctors seeking to return to Malaysia to serve, and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil's note on wanting to report the finding back to the Cabinet.

The media statement, shared by TalentCorp on 21 August 2026, added that, since 2011, 774 REP applications have been received in this category, of which 495 were approved and 351 approved applicants have since returned to Malaysia.

The agency also sought to provides clarity on the REP process for medical and healthcare professionals, including processing timelines, registration requirements, and the conditional approval mechanism for applicants who are still completing the relevant requirements.

In terms of the healthcare professionals applicable for this programme, the Returning Expert Programme (REP) is administered by TalentCorp, as well as they need to furnish theprofessional registration required to practise medicine in Malaysia, including, where applicable, registration with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and National Specialist Register (NSR).

Given that healthcare is a regulated sector, the REP applications undergo an additional technical assessment through the Joint Working Committee for Healthcare Talent (JWC-HT), which brings together TalentCorp, the Ministry of Health (MOH), MMC and relevant healthcare regulatory and professional bodies.

A complete healthcare REP application would typically be processed within approximately 60 working days. During this period, TalentCorp verifies the application and supporting documents.

Where the required MMC or NSR registration is still pending, an otherwise eligible application can continue to progress and may receive conditional REP approval. Full approval and access to REP benefits are provided only once the required MMC and NSR registration have been completed and submitted.

TalentCorp also said it has been engaging with MOH to review the healthcare REP pathway, as well as it is continue working closely with KESUMA, MOH, MMC, and the relevant regulatory and professional bodies to improve the end-to-end journey.

On the cards is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MOH to strengthen coordination and enable a faster and more efficient process for all parties.

ALSO READ: JPA on Malaysia's push to ramp up healthcare workforce planning through talent deployment and specialist training