Malaysia: Updated Position List for Professional Visit Pass

Key Points

• Malaysia revised its Professional Visit Pass (PVP) position list effective September 1, 2025.
• Several job titles were reclassified, including consultants, lecturers, and trainers.
• Employers must use updated titles when submitting applications.
• Applications with obsolete titles risk rejection or delay.

Overview

Malaysia has implemented updates to the Malaysia Professional Visit Pass (PVP) position list, effective September 1, 2025. The revised list applies to all PVP applications submitted through the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) online system and is intended to improve compliance and streamline the adjudication process.

Several previously accepted job titles have been reclassified. For example, “Technical Consultant,” “Advisor,” or “Examiner” must now be submitted under the updated category of “Technical Expert.” Similarly, “Visitor Lecturer,” “Visiting Professor,” and “Invited Professor” fall under “Invited Lecturer,” while “Seminar Speaker” and “Course Speaker” are now classified simply as “Speaker.” The title “Technical Trainer” has been updated to “Trainer.”

Several previously accepted job titles have been reclassified. For example, “Technical Consultant,” “Advisor,” or “Examiner” must now be submitted under the updated category of “Technical Expert.” Similarly, “Visitor Lecturer,” “Visiting Professor,” and “Invited Professor” fall under “Invited Lecturer,” while “Seminar Speaker” and “Course Speaker” are now classified simply as “Speaker.” The title “Technical Trainer” has been updated to “Trainer.”

Other categories, such as Doctoral Fellow, Researcher, Student Under Practical Training, and Volunteer, remain unchanged. Employers submitting PVP applications must use the new classifications beginning September 1, 2025. Submissions using obsolete titles may result in rejection or processing delays.

This realignment reflects Malaysia’s broader effort to simplify immigration processes and ensure that visa categories align with standard occupational terminology. For more updates on regional immigration frameworks, see Corporate Immigration Partners’ Asia insights.

Looking Ahead

Employers should update internal processes and job title references to align with the revised PVP position list. Early review of employee assignments and position classifications will help prevent application delays. Further refinements to Malaysia’s immigration framework may be introduced as authorities continue modernizing the ESD Online system.