IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? As of Oct. 1, companies under Malaysia’s Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) must submit applications for Professional Visit Passes (PVP) with the Expatriate Service Division (ESD).

What does the change mean? The e-Xpats Service Centre will no longer accept Professional Visit Pass applications.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Professional Visit Passes.
  • Who is affected: Companies with MSC Malaysia status.
  • Impact on processing times: The addition of this group of companies to the registration queue could add several weeks to current wait times for ESD registration.
  • Business impact: The delayswill impact business schedules and assignments of PVP holders in Malaysia.
  • Next steps: Companies under MDeC should prepare to register with ESD. The government is expected to provide further guidance in coming weeks. BAL is following these developments and will keep clients apprised as procedures are updated.

Background: The announcement that MDeC companies must file PVP applications through ESD starting Oct. 1 coincides with Malaysia’s announcement last week that all PVP applications must be submitted electronically through ESD’s online portal, also beginning Oct. 1. The Immigration Department discontinued manual submissions of PVP applications on Sept. 25.

The changes mean that MDeC companies must first register with the ESD before they can file PVP applications. This is likely to cause a backlog in registration which will in turn delay all PVP applications.

BAL Analysis: Currently, thousands of companies are waiting to be registered with the ESD’s online portal. The current wait time is six to eight weeks and could be stretched to two to three months as MDeC companies join the queue to register.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Malaysia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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