Professional Visit Pass (PVP)

Before initiating a PVP application, the sponsoring company and the foreign professional must clearly define the scope of work and confirm that it falls within the eligible activities for the PVP. The assignment must be short-term, project-based, or time-limited and require specialised skills or knowledge that are not readily available in Malaysia. Examples of eligible activities include installation and commissioning of specialised equipment from overseas suppliers, training of local staff on proprietary systems or software, technical troubleshooting and repairs covered under warranty or service contracts, consultancy services for specific projects with defined deliverables, conducting research, feasibility studies, or surveys, delivering professional lectures, seminars, or workshops, and performing as a professional athlete, artist, or cultural performer. The duration of the assignment must not exceed 12 months. If the work is ongoing or permanent in nature, an Employment Pass would be more appropriate. The sponsoring company should also verify that the professional holds the necessary qualifications and experience for the assignment and that all required professional licences or certifications are in order.

The sponsoring company in Malaysia must be registered with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) portal, also known as Xpats Gateway, before it can submit any PVP applications. If the company is not yet registered, the company's designated representative (typically an HR manager or company director) must create a corporate account on the ESD portal. The registration process requires the company to provide its SSM registration number (Certificate of Incorporation), company profile and business activity description, contact details of the company's authorised representative, and supporting documents verifying the company's status. The ESD registration must be approved before the company can submit any applications. For companies that frequently engage foreign professionals, maintaining an active ESD account is essential. The registration process typically takes 1 to 3 working days. Once registered, the company can access the portal to submit PVP applications, track their status, and manage existing passes.

The sponsoring company logs into the ESD / Xpats Gateway portal and selects the PVP application option. The online form requires detailed information about the foreign professional including full name, date of birth, nationality, passport details, current residential address, and contact information. The form also requires details about the assignment including the purpose of the visit, detailed scope of work, duration of the assignment, location(s) where the work will be performed, and details of the local counterpart or point of contact. The company must upload all supporting documents including a scanned copy of the professional's passport bio-page, recent passport-sized photograph, a detailed CV or resume, copies of relevant professional certificates or licences, a contract, service agreement, or letter of appointment between the professional and the company or client, a letter of undertaking from the sponsoring company confirming responsibility for the professional, and any additional documents specific to the nature of the work (e.g., project plans, technical specifications). All documents must be in English or Malay, with certified translations for other languages.

After submitting the application form and uploading all documents, the sponsoring company proceeds to the payment stage. The PVP processing fee varies based on the duration and type of pass requested. Single-entry PVPs (valid for up to 3 months) typically cost RM 500 to RM 800. Multiple-entry PVPs (valid for up to 12 months) typically cost RM 1,000 to RM 2,000. Payment can be made via the ESD portal using online banking, credit card, or debit card. The company can also use its ESD corporate account for invoice-based payment if pre-approved. Upon successful payment, the application is formally submitted for processing. The ESD system provides an instant confirmation and assigns an application reference number. The processing time for PVP applications is typically 3 to 7 working days, making it one of the fastest work pass options in Malaysia. During this period, the immigration authorities review the application, verify the documents, and assess the validity of the assignment. The sponsoring company can track the application status through the ESD portal.

Once the PVP application is approved, the sponsoring company receives a notification through the ESD portal and can download the approval letter. The approval letter includes the pass details, validity period, conditions of stay, and instructions for the professional. If the professional is outside Malaysia, they must present the approval letter at a Malaysian embassy or consulate to obtain the appropriate entry visa (if visa is required for their nationality). Upon arrival in Malaysia, the professional presents their passport and the approval letter to immigration officers at the entry point. The immigration officer endorses the passport with the PVP stamp and entry permit. The pass validity starts from the date of entry. If the professional is already in Malaysia on a social visit pass, the status can be converted to PVP without leaving the country, provided the application was submitted and approved before the expiry of the social visit pass. After entering Malaysia or converting status, the professional must comply with all conditions of the pass.

During the validity of the PVP, the professional must work strictly within the approved scope of work and only for the sponsoring company. The professional must carry their passport with the valid PVP at all times when working. Any changes to the scope of work, extension of the assignment period, or change of location must be approved through a variation or extension application via the ESD portal. If the professional needs to stay beyond the initial pass validity, an extension application must be submitted before the pass expires. Each extension is typically granted for up to 3 months, with a maximum total PVP duration of 12 months. Extensions beyond 12 months are generally not permitted, and the professional would need to apply for an Employment Pass if the assignment becomes ongoing. Upon completion of the assignment, the sponsoring company should notify the ESD and, if necessary, arrange for the cancellation of the pass. The professional must leave Malaysia before or on the expiry date of the pass. Overstaying is a serious immigration offence punishable by fines, imprisonment, and deportation.