Foreign artists and actors, photographers, production houses, and entertainment vendors must apply for visas to perform or film or display their art in Malaysia. However, prior to proceeding to the Malaysian Immigration Department for visa approvals, there are other approvals to obtain first.
In West Malaysia, the overseeing authority is the Overseas Filming and Performing Artist Application Center (PUSPAL). To bring in foreign artists, the sponsor must first seek permission and approval from PUSPAL before the application can proceed to submission at the Malaysia Immigration Department. PUSPAL will be screening artists for suitability and content sensitivity for performance in West Malaysia.
In East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), there are separate approving authorities. For example, in Sarawak, the endorsement must first be obtained from the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB). An interview will be arranged by STB with the sponsor, to explain the purpose of the visit by the foreign artists, the filming dates and the intended content. STB will then endorse the application to the Sarawak Immigration, Labour and Management Unit (ILMU) at the Sarawak State Secretary Office. If the production house or sponsor is successful at obtaining approvals from both government authorities, a bond will need to be paid. The bond is refundable upon presentation of the raw production materials that are deemed to be in compliance with the set guidelines. Thereafter, the application may proceed to the Malaysian Immigration Department in Sarawak for visa processing.
At all times, foreign artists are advised to be in the country of origin until their visa application is approved. It is not advisable to perform in Malaysia or Sarawak without the appropriate work permits. Further, do take note that a visa approved in West Malaysia cannot be used in Sarawak and vice versa.
The applicable visa is the Professional Visit Pass (PVP), which can be valid for up to 12 months. There are no age restrictions for the entry of foreign artists as long as the requirements are met.
Such processes are set up by the Malaysian government to prevent incidents like The 1975 incident at the Good Vibes Festival in 2023. Production houses and performing artists are advised to respect the cultural and religious sensitivities in Malaysia at all times.
Our website and its contents are provided for general information purposes only and nothing on this website or in its contents is intended to provide professional advice. Please contact us at info@migratesafe.org or +6082-295175 for more information.
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