The calling visas are similar to the visa-on-arrival facility, which is extended to tourists and businessmen, Tan Chai Ho, Deputy Home Affairs Minister said.

Workers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal will receive the visas on their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. They will no longer need to apply at the Malaysian High Commission, he said.

"Before they come to Malyasia, their employers in Malaysia should have forwarded their names and details to the one stop centre at the immigration headquarters for processing and approval," Tan was quoted as saying by Star newspaper.

The arrangement is likely to cut down the waiting time for employers here to receive their workers between one and two months to just one and two weeks, the paper said.

"Once approved and the bosses have received the work permits, they can then contact the workers to fly to Malaysia. They can apply for the visas when they reach KLIA," the minister said.

The system, implemented at KLIA for a few months now, had proven to be efficient, he added. It will also enable better monitoring of workers at every state, including during the issuance and renewal of the permit.

The calling visa will cost RM130 (Rs 1,610) for workers from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal and will be applicable to workers from these regions only. Foreign workers from Indonesia and other Asean countries can enter Malaysia without visas.