The Complete Guide on Malaysia Professional Visit Pass

If you want to work in Malaysia, you must apply for a work visa. The Professional Visit Pass (PVP) is one of the work permits issued by the Malaysian government. In this article, we will provide a detailed overview of the process and how to apply for a professional visit pass.

What Is Malaysia Professional Visit Pass?

Unlike other types of Malaysian work permits, the Professional Visit Pass (PVP) allows foreigners to reside in Malaysia for the purpose of transferring expertise, volunteering, training or conducting exhibitions. In fact, you will be paid by an overseas company, but offer services to another company in Malaysia. You are allowed to stay in Malaysia for up to 12 months or 6 months for training in a hotel. If the period is reached, it may be extended for a further 12 months. 

Who Can Apply for a Malaysia Professional Visit Pass?

Not everyone can apply for a Malaysia Professional Visit Pass in Malaysia. Here you can check out the following categories, from white-collar professionals to religious practitioners and students.

• Foreign artist (film and performance)
• Stage artist (singing, music, dance, theatre, acrobatics, circus, etc.)
• Filming (in Malaysia, but with an overseas company)
• Producing (filming)
• Performance (in hotels, cultural centres, stadiums, etc.)
• Expert in arts management and screen-related arts.
• Islamic missionary:
  • Islamic Teacher
  • Al-Quran Teacher
  • Arabic Teacher

• Other religious workers:
  • Gurukkal
  • Granthi
  • Priest
  • Guru Dharma
  • Religious musicians and sculptors

• International students attending religious courses study at the Malaysia Bible Seminary.
• Government officials travel for official purposes (government to government program/government purposes)
• Jockey expert
• Volunteer
• International student in a mobility program or industrial training

Documents required for Malaysia Professional Visit Pass

If you are eligible to apply for a Malaysia Business Visit Pass, you must prepare all necessary documents in advance. Here you can check the list of necessary documents.

• A recent passport photo taken within 6 months
• The applicant’s resume
• A copy of the passport on all pages
• Malaysia Visa Application Form
• The highest educational certificate
• The letter confirming the applicant’s employment details, such as salary and designation.
• Personal Bond Form if you are not from China or Security Bond & Bank Guarantee for Chinese nationals.
• Letter of Award (LOA)/Contract, if applicable 
• The Offer letter/agreement / sponsor contract/internship offer in Malaysia (stamped by LHDN)

In addition, you can prepare other required documents for certain specific conditions:

• The invoice for the purchase of machinery (for machinery, equipment installation, commissioning/maintenance)
• Mineral & Geoscience Malaysia Mining Approval Letter (for secondment in mining activities)
• Letter of Support from the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia (for Flight Simulator Tester)
• Training schedule/job description of internship (for internship)

How to Apply for Malaysia PVP

After you have prepared all the necessary documents according to your professional. You can follow the steps below to apply for a Malaysia PVP as soon as possible.

Prepare all the required documents

You must prepare all the necessary documents for the Malaysia professional visit pass application according to the list above. Remember to make sure that all the documents are correct and authentic to avoid the rejection of the application.

Find a sponsor

You are not allowed to apply for Malaysia by yourself. Instead, you must have a sponsor in Malaysia to apply for the Professional Visit Pass on your behalf. The sponsor can be the company or institution you will be working for or training in Malaysia.

Log in to the account

The sponsor must visit the ESD portal through the Immigration Department of Malaysia, and log into the company’s ESD account. Or you can register the account if it is the first time to make an application.

Submit the application

After you have successfully logged into the account, you can fill in the Professional Visit Pass application form. Then you need to upload all the necessary documents offered by the applicants. Submit the application form to the Malaysian Federal Government Administrative Centre (Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration Department).

Pay for the application fee

When you apply for the PVP, it will cost you RM800. It does not include other immigration and licensing fees.

Waiting for the application

If all your submitted documents and information are correct, the application should be processed within 14 – 21 working days.

Get your PVP stamp on the passport

Once your application is approved, you must visit the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs and receive the Malaysia Professional Visit Pass sticker on your passport when you enter Malaysia.

If you work in the film and performance industry, the application will be issued jointly by the Central Agency for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artists (PUSPAL) and the Immigration Department. You will also receive an approval letter from FINAS (National Film Development Corporation Malaysia).

Therefore, you can use the professional visit pass to prove that you are legally working and living in Malaysia. However, if you find that the application has been rejected, you can file an appeal to find out why your application has been rejected.

How to Make a Passport Size Photo Online

Since you are required to submit a digital passport photo online when you apply for the application, you must obtain a photo that meets all the photo criteria to avoid the hassle of application rejection. You can obtain a photo by making an appointment with a professional photographer, taking a photo at the Photo Booth or at home. If you want to have fun and take a photo by yourself, you need to make some preparations to make the photography process go smoothly. Here are some tips for taking a photo at home:

• Prepare a camera or mobile phone with a high-resolution lens
• Find a blue and clear wall with enough light.
• Set your camera 1.2 meters away from the wall
• Wear daily and usual clothes, no uniforms
• Maintain neutral facial expression, make your face visible without any head covering or sunglasses 
• Face the camera directly and take your picture. 

After you have taken a photo, you need to upload it to a professional passport photo generator to make it meet the requirements. You can use AiPassportPhotos AI passport photo maker, which can automatically detect the face, resize the photo and change the background with a one-step process. Here you can follow the steps below and make your Malaysia passport-size photo meet the requirements.

• Upload the photo by clicking “Upload a photo” on AiPassportPhotos website.
• Wait for AI technology to process your photo. It may take a while.
• Once done, you can download the printable photo on your phone.

With AI technology, you can get a 35×50 mm passport photo that meets all the requirements.

Malaysia PVP Processing Time & Fee

According to the Government of Malaysia, the processing time for a PVP is approximately 14 to 21 days. However, the process time will depend on the volume of applications and the documents you submit. The PVP application fee is RM800.

What are the benefits of a professional visa in Malaysia?

After your professional visit pass application has been approved, you will enjoy many benefits. Here you can check out the benefits of holding a Malaysia Professional Visit Pass:

• You can work or receive training in Malaysia for up to 12 months.
• You can work with Malaysian professionals and businesses.
• You can experience Malaysian culture and beautiful scenery.

Professional Visit Pass vs Employment Pass

Both Employment Passes (EPs) and Professional Visit Passes are work permits that allow foreigners to work legally in Malaysia. However, there are some differences between them. Employment permits are narrower in scope because they are strict for the purpose of hiring overseas workers. However, PVP can be used in a variety of situations. You can check the chart below to see the key differences between these two passes.

How long is the duration of a professional visit pass?

It allows you to stay in Malaysia for 6 – 12 months. It can be extended to another 12 months, but it will be decided by the immigration officer.

Conclusion

All in all, if you need to apply for a professional visit pass, you must prepare all the necessary documents for the sponsor to make your application smooth. Otherwise, your application may be rejected because of missing or incorrect documents. With AiPassportPhotos, you can obtain a passport photo that meets all the photo requirements. I hope this article helps you get your PVP in Malaysia easily.