Professional Visit Pass Application & Renewal

For short-term work, teaching & internships

We handle all preparations and submissions with ESD on behalf of sponsors and employers, ensuring your foreign talents experience a smooth journey to Malaysia.

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PVP Overview

A Professional Visit Pass (PVP) is most used to hire foreign talents under short-term engagements lasting no more than 12 months. During this period, holders can enter the country and fulfil their contract with a Malaysian company. They cannot bring dependents and must be employed by an overseas company.  

We provide the following services regarding PVPs from the Expatriates Services Division:

ESD employer account registration
PVP application
PVP renewal
PVP cancellation

In addition to short-term employment, there are several other use cases for PVPs with specific requirements.

Key Requirements

Employers and sponsors must register an account on ESD’s portal to apply for a PVP, which requires meeting two requirements:

Registered entity

The sponsor must be one of the following:

Sdn Bhd registered with SSM
Societies registered with ROS
Professional firms
Local government organisations
International organisations certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Paid-up capital (for Sdn Bhd)

Minimum paid-up capital depends on ownership structure – for details see our guide to PVP applications in Malaysia.

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Work
Internship
Missionary

Skilled Worker

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For foreign talents who need to reside in Malaysia for short-term work commitments to a local company..

Main use cases:

Expertise transfer
Research
Volunteering
Training at ESD-registered companies
Exhibitors under MyCEB

*Employers must have a valid ESD account to apply for a PVP

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Internships

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For interns who need to reside in Malaysia for practical training with local employer / sponsor.

Main use cases:

Hotel internships
Factory internships

*Sponsors must have a valid ESD account and internship PVPs for factories and hotels are generally limited to six (6) months.

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Religious Visits

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For foreign religious teachers and students who need to reside in Malaysia for short-term missionary work and education..

Main use cases:

Islamic religious teachers
Islamic religious students
Hindu monks
Granthi, Dharma teachers and priests
Religious artists

*Sponsors must have a valid ESD account and submit applications at least one month before work is meant to start

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Validity Period & Renewal

PVP issued are valid for 12 months and, at the discretion of the immigration officer, renewable for another 12 months, granting the holder a maximum stay of 24 months.

Additionally, PVPs for factory and hotel internships are generally limited to a 6-months and strictly non-renewable.

Required Documents

The following documents are required for all PVP applications:

Application letter by sponsor
Recent passport photo
Copy of passport
Offer letter / agreement for services / sponsor contract / internship offer by the sponsor
Confirmation letter by the foreign / host country company on the applicant’s employment details
Detailed job description
Copy of highest educational certificates / professional certificates
Latest comprehensive resume
Security bond form (duly stamped by inland revenue board)
Personal bond form (duly stamped by inland revenue board)
Bank guarantee (for Chinese and Bangladesh nationals)
Letter of award (LOA) / contract, if applicable
Supporting document from approving agency / regulatory body, if applicable
Working schedule (month-to-month task breakdown for the project)

While this list is generally complete, we had to significantly simplify it to make it digestible, and employers who wish to handle their own applications can find a full description of PVP document details here.

Applications will also need to include additional supporting documents for specific activities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Malaysian Professional Visit Pass (PVP)?

A Professional Visit Pass allows foreign talent to enter Malaysia for short-term professional engagements sponsored by a local organisation. These may include training, research, internships and specialised assignments.

Who is eligible for a PVP?

A PVP may be suitable for:

Foreign experts providing skills transfer
Researchers and trainees
Interns attached to Malaysian organisations
Volunteers
Exhibition participants applying through MyCEB
Religious teachers and students
Approved overseas performers
Participants in government cooperation programmes

What activities are allowed under a PVP?

Permitted activities commonly include:

Expertise and knowledge transfer
Research projects
Volunteer work
Training at registered companies
Exhibitions and events
Internships

Are there special rules for internships?

Yes. The applicable conditions include:

Internships are generally limited to hotels rated four stars and above.
Three-star hotels may accept Indonesian trainees.
Each hotel may host a maximum of 25 trainees at one time.
Internship passes are normally valid for six months and cannot be renewed.

How long is a PVP valid?

Standard validity: Up to 12 months
Renewal: Up to a further 12 months, subject to approval
Maximum total stay: 24 months
Internship PVP: Six months and non-renewable

Is there a minimum salary requirement?

No, there is no minimum salary requirement for a PVP.

Can PVP holders bring dependents?

No. PVP holders are not permitted to bring dependents under this pass.

What is the difference between a PVP and an Employment Pass (EP)?

Feature	PVP	Employment Pass (EP)
Purpose	Short-term assignments, training and internships	Long-term employment
Duration	6–12 months, with a maximum of 24 months	1–5 years
Salary requirement	None	Minimum RM3,000
Dependents	Not allowed	Allowed for certain categories
Eligibility	May include students and trainees	Intended for working professionals

Who can apply for a PVP?

Eligible sponsors or employers include:

Sdn Bhd companies registered with SSM
Societies and associations registered with ROS
Professional firms
Government bodies and government-linked organisations
International organisations recognised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

What are the paid-up capital requirements (for Sdn Bhd)?

100% Malaysian-owned company: RM250,000
Joint venture with at least 30% foreign ownership: RM350,000
100% foreign-owned company: RM500,000
At least 51% foreign-owned in WRT/USS sectors: RM1,000,000

How much does a PVP application cost?

The Immigration application fee is RM1,200. Additional Immigration charges and third-party fees are not included.

How long does the application take?

Processing normally takes between 14 and 21 working days. The actual duration depends on whether the documents are complete and whether additional approvals are required.

What documents are required for a PVP application?

The principal supporting documents include: