Malaysia · short term business
Professional Visit Pass (PVP)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
A short-term pass for foreign professionals providing services or undergoing training in Malaysia while remaining employed by an overseas company.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - handled by the Expatriate Services Division; confirm current timelines on the official ESD page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - pass and processing fees are set by ESD/Immigration; confirm current figures on the official page.
- Typical duration
- No longer than 12 months per issuance.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The Professional Visit Pass (PVP) is granted to foreign talents with acceptable professional qualifications or skills who enter Malaysia temporarily to provide services or undergo practical training, while remaining employed by an overseas company. A Malaysian company representing the overseas employer sponsors the application through the Expatriate Services Division. The pass is issued for no longer than 12 months per issuance, and holders may work only for the company named in the pass. PVP holders are not entitled to apply for a Dependant Pass.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Acceptable professional qualifications or skills relevant to the assignment.Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
- ✓Continued employment by an overseas company throughout the assignment.Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
- ✓A Malaysian company, registered with the ESD, representing the overseas employer.Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
- ✓A valid passport with sufficient remaining validity.Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
Common blockers
- !Intention to take up local employment rather than a temporary professional assignment.Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
- !No Malaysian sponsoring company registered with the ESD.Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
- !Assignment exceeding the 12-month per-issuance limit without proper renewal.Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Letter from the overseas employer confirming employment and the assignment.Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
- ·Service or training agreement with the Malaysian host company.Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
- ·Professional qualification certificates or proof of relevant skills.Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
- ·Valid passport and recent photograph.Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
Application pathway
Sponsor registers with ESD
The Malaysian company representing the overseas employer registers with the Expatriate Services Division.
Submit the PVP application
The sponsoring company submits the Professional Visit Pass application with the assignment and qualification documents.
Assessment
The application is assessed against the professional-skills and temporary-assignment criteria.
Endorsement
On approval, the pass is endorsed for up to 12 months for work only with the named company.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official Professional Visit Pass (PVP) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Professional Visit Pass (PVP).
Expatriate Services Division, Immigration Department of Malaysia · verified
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Employment Pass (EP)
Employer-sponsored work pass for expatriate professionals, issued in Categories I, II and III with a tiered minimum-salary structure, processed via the Expatriate Services Division.
DE Rantau Nomad Pass
A Professional Visit Pass variant for foreign digital nomads and remote workers serving non-Malaysian clients, administered by MDEC.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring dependants on a Professional Visit Pass?+
No. Professional Visit Pass holders are not entitled to apply for a Dependant Pass. The PVP is a short-term pass for temporary professional assignments of up to 12 months per issuance.
Can I work for any company on a PVP?+
No. You may work only for the company named in the Professional Visit Pass, and you must remain employed by your overseas company. The pass is tied to the specific assignment that was approved.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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