Professional Visit Pass Checklist (+Next Steps)

For employers in Malaysia who have determined a Professional Visit Pass (PVP) is the visa for their foreign talent hiring needs, we’ve prepared a checklist of core supporting documents to help you prepare.

If you don’t know if a PVP is the right visa for your needs, see our guide to PVP applications or get in touch for tailored recommendations. 

Otherwise, we’ve also included your next steps at the end – you’re welcome and let’s begin.

Quick checklist of documents

Esure the following 13 supporting documents are ready:

• application letter
• recent passport photo
• copy of passport (complete booklet)
• offer letter / agreement / sponsor contract / internship offer (IRB stamped)
• acceptance / confirmation letter from overseas employer
• detailed job description
• highest educational certificates
• updated comprehensive resume
• LHDN-stamped personal OR security bond form (except Chinese & Bangladeshi nationals)
• bank guarantee (Chinese & Bangladeshi nationals)
• letter of award / contract (if applicable)
• supporting letter from approving agency / regulatory body (if applicable)
• working schedule

Now let’s go into more detail for each of them.

Application letter

• must be clear coloured scan on malaysian host company letterhead
• validity: within 3 months from issuance
• addressed to the professional visit pass unit at immigration in putrajaya
• must include:
  • applicant name, passport number, nationality
  • position
  • duration (maximum 12 months)
  • purpose (expert transfer, project work, installation, training, internship, research, volunteer, exhibitor, etc.)
• signed by authorised endorser / director in LoU with name, signature, designation
• digital or pasted signatures not accepted

Recent passport photo

• light blue background
• size: 3.5cm × 5.0cm (99 × 142 pixels)
• full face, neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed
• no head covering unless religious
• edited photos not accepted

Copy of passport

• full booklet including front & back cover in colour
• minimum 6 empty pages
• passport validity must exceed 12 months
• uploaded as clear readable pdf (max 3 attachments)
• ensure ESD details match passport exactly (MRZ format for name, nationality, DOB, passport number, issue & expiry dates, place of issuance)

Offer letter / agreement / sponsor contract

• issued by malaysian host company on letterhead (coloured scan)
• validity within 3 months
• issuance date must be earlier than acceptance letter
• addressed to overseas sponsor company
• must include:
  • applicant details
  • offered role and duration (must match all documents & ESD)
  • salary paid by overseas company only (malaysian company may provide allowance)
• signed by LoU endorser / director with handwritten signature

Acceptance letter from overseas employer

• coloured scan on overseas company letterhead
• validity within 3 months
• issued after offer letter
• addressed to malaysian host company
• must confirm:
  • applicant details
  • acceptance of offer
  • position and duration (must match ESD & other letters)
  • salary paid by overseas employer
• signed by overseas company representative (not the applicant)

Detailed job description

• on company letterhead
• must include:
  • position title
  • work location
  • reporting line / supervisor
  • minimum 3 non-repetitive tasks relevant to role
• position must match ESD and employment contract

Highest educational certificates

• coloured scan of academic / professional certificates
• ensure ESD details match (qualification, institution, major, graduation year, country)
• certificates in english must be certified true copy by embassy or company HR
• non-english certificates must be translated and certified
• original certificate must accompany translated copy

Updated comprehensive resume

• coloured detailed CV with full employment history
• include:
  • employer names, locations, positions, duration
  • explanation of employment gaps
  • education details matching submitted certificates
• current employer must match acceptance letter issuer

Personal OR security bond form

• not required for Chinese & Bangladeshi nationals
• coloured scan stamped by LHDN (valid 6 months)
• must state issuance for professional visit pass
• must include applicant details, overseas address, bond amount
• signed by malaysian employer representative and malaysian witness
• company letterhead not allowed on the form
• handwritten allowed if clear

Bank guarantee

• Chinese & Bangladeshi nationals only
• issued by malaysian bank and IRB stamped
• addressed to director general of immigration
• must include:
  • company details
  • applicant name and passport number
  • PVP issuance statement
  • bond amount (china RM1500, bangladesh RM750)
  • validity covering pass duration
• insurance guarantees not accepted

Letter of award / contract (if applicable)

• required when applicant is engaged under a specific project or awarded contract
• should support project legitimacy and assignment scope

Supporting letter from agency (if applicable)

• required where industry approvals apply (e.g. regulated sectors, exhibitions, filming, etc.)
• must be issued by the relevant approving authority

Working schedule

• month-to-month breakdown of tasks
• must describe specific assignments and responsibilities for each period
• repetitive or unrelated tasks not accepted
• total duration summary alone is insufficient

Additional documents needed

Depending on the applicant’s industry and the project scope additional documents may be required.

As this is too case-specific to create an exhaustive list, our recommendation is to just make sure the core documents are in order, then find out the additional documents you will need when the time comes.

Next step: Register ESD account

All PVP applications must be made through an employer’s own Expatriate Services Division (ESD) account, and as we figure most readers won’t yet have this done, follow this link to get that done.

From there, it’s just a matter of compiling the required documents and submitting the application which is usually processed within 14–21 working days.

For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our ESD account registration guide.

Once approved, the holder enters Malaysia and you visit Immigration to collect their PVP sticker.

Let MISHU handle your PVP application

MISHU has many years of experience assisting sponsors with Professional Visit Pass applications and extensions with ESD, an