Malaysia•Asia14-21 days
800 MYR
3 years
Yes
Required
Not Specified
No
Not Required
Permit for Hindu Sami, Sikh Granthi, Buddhist monks, Dharma teachers, Christian priests, carvers, and Bible seminary students, valid up to 3 years.
The Professional Visit Pass (PVP) for religious workers is a specialized visa category designed for foreign nationals who are invited to Malaysia to perform religious duties or provide religious instruction. This visa is specifically tailored for roles such as Hindu Sami (Gurukkal), Sikh Granthi, Buddhist monks, Dharma teachers, and priests. It serves as a formal mechanism for religious institutions—including temples, gurdwaras, and other recognized religious bodies—to bring in qualified foreign experts to support their spiritual and community activities. The program ensures that those entering the country for these purposes are vetted and meet specific age and professional criteria, maintaining the integrity of religious practice within Malaysia.
This visa is intended for individuals who are not seeking permanent employment but are instead fulfilling a specific, short-term religious mission or service. Because the PVP is a professional pass, it requires a local sponsor to take full responsibility for the applicant's stay and activities. Applicants must be outside of Malaysia during the application process and are only permitted to enter the country once the pass and the necessary entry visa have been approved. The duration of the stay is strictly regulated, and holders must adhere to the specific scope of work defined in their application, ensuring that their presence in Malaysia remains focused on their religious contributions.
| Initial grant | 3 years |
Must be a foreign national intending to serve as a religious worker (Hindu Sami/Gurukkal, Sikh Granthi, Buddhist monk, Dharma teacher, or priest).
Applicant must be outside of Malaysia at the time of application.
Must be sponsored by a registered religious institution (Temple, Gurdwara, Tokong) in Malaysia.
Age requirements: 40 years and above for Hindu monks, Granthi, Dharma teachers, and priests; 35 years and above for religious musicians; 30 years and above for religious sculptors.
Application must be submitted at least one month before the intended start date.
Approval is subject to the decision of the Special Committee on Visit Pass (Professional).
Must enter Malaysia through an Entry Visa issued by a Malaysian Embassy or representation in the country of origin.
Job Offer
Required
Education
none or higher
Completed application form for Professional Visit Pass (Religious Worker).
Copy of all pages of the applicant's passport (must have at least 6 months validity and sufficient blank pages).
Official sponsorship letter from the Malaysian religious institution.
Proof of religious qualification or credentials.
Recent passport-sized photographs.
Any additional supporting documents requested by the Special Committee on Visit Pass (Professional).
| Social Visit Pass Application | — |
Let's check your eligibility against published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.
Check Eligibility