Malaysia

Hoodlum offers expert film fixer services in Malaysia, facilitating international productions of every scale with a full range of services, including location scouting, obtaining permits, full range of logistic support and connecting production teams with local talent and experienced crew.

Ultimate Filming Guide for Malaysia

Capital

Kuala Lumpur

Main Cities

George Town

Local Languages

Malay & English

Currency

Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)

Climate

Tropical Climate

General Visa Requirements:

Visitors on a recce can enter as tourists. For shoots, a PUSPAL permit is required before applying for a visa. All foreign crew require: Professional Visit Pass (PVP) and/or Journey Performed Visa (JP Visa). The JP Visa is issued by Immigration to legalize entry and convert status into a PVP. The PVP process requires a PUSPAL permit first. Once approvals are obtained, film crew will enter Malaysia on a normal social visit pass. The local fixer collects passports on arrival and converts them at Immigration into a PVP (passport returned the next day). Multi-entry visas are available at no additional cost. There are no port-of-entry restrictions, but the intended port should be notified ahead of time to avoid issues with carnet stamping. Israeli passport holders are restricted from entering Malaysia; however, a previous Israeli passport stamp does not restrict entry.

Required Documents:

An invitation letter from us
A recent profile photo
A scanned copy of your passport
Booking confirmation of your accommodation (even a Booking.com confirmation is acceptable)
Each crew member must apply individually

Visa Application Process:

Check if a tourist visa is required based on nationality:
https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/visa/visa-requirement-by-country/

Processing Time:

6–8 weeks lead time is required to collate paperwork and obtain all approvals.

Cost:

When applying through an agent, the cost is approximately RM1,200 per person, inclusive of visa processing and agent fees.

Accreditation Requirements:

Accreditation Requirements:
All foreign crew members require a temporary work permit, also known as a “special pass,” to work in Malaysia. https://www.kln.gov.my/web/jor_amman/forms/-/asset_publisher/2TQe/document/id/574666?inheritRedirect=false

Covered under the Professional Visit Pass (PVP) process.

Required Documents:

General filming permit
A recent profile photo
CV/Resume/Portfolio/IMDB link
A scanned copy of your passport
Estimated arrival and departure dates

Processing Time:

6–8 weeks (includes PUSPAL and Immigration approvals).

Cost:

Included in visa processing fees and handled by the agent.

Issuing Organization:

PUSPAL (Central Agency Committee for Application for Filming and Foreign Artists Presentations) under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia.

The committee includes representatives from:

Ministry of Communications & Multimedia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs
Royal Malaysian Police
Immigration & Customs
Ministry of Tourism & Culture
City Hall
Inland Revenue Board

Required Documents:

Application letter from production company
Company profile
Film or performance synopsis
Crew list (biodata and passport copies)
Full filming equipment list (with serial numbers and values)
Some locations may request proof of PUSPAL submission before granting location permission

Processing Time:

PUSPAL meetings are generally held weekly (Tuesdays). 6–8 weeks for paperwork and approvals. For Sabah or Sarawak, allow at least 3.5 months for additional State Government approvals.

Cost:

Permit itself is free. The cost is per person attached to the PUSPAL Permit. See cost under Working Crew

Location Scouting / Location Permits Information:

Malaysian fixer research and contacts authorities or owners. Negotiates filming permissions based on synopsis and ensures compliance with local regulations.

Location Scouting / Permitting Cost & Processing Time

Negotiated directly by the fixer with the private owner.

Drone Regulations:

Obtain written approval from filming locations.

Apply to:

JUPEM (Department of Survey & Mapping Malaysia) – approx. 2–3 weeks.
CAAM (Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia) – up to 2 months.
Both require:
Drone make, size, frequency band
Drone pilot bio and license
Flight maps and photos
Copy of the PUSPAL permit
After filming, JUPEM may request a DVD of footage for verification.

Drone Importation Regulations:

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) issues drone permits.

MCMC Certification: All drones must be certified by SIRIM (5–14 days).
Import Permit: Issued by SIRIM within 24 hours of certification.
The drone’s frequency band must be declared before applying.

General Flight Rules

Max altitude: 400 ft (122 m)

No-fly zones:

Putrajaya
Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Parliament
Istana Negara (Palace)
Police or military zones
Prisons and government buildings
Within 5 km of any airport

Permit Issuance:

Local Drone Application: Drone operators apply directly for personal annual licenses.
Drone Importation Application: We partner with licensed drone companies for this service.

Timing:

Permit processing takes approximately 2 months.

Cost:

20 kg and below: RM 250 (~$60)
Above 20 kg: RM 1000 (~$230)

Carnet Status:

Yes, Malaysia accepts ATA carnets.

General Process

Import request and detailed equipment list (with serial numbers and values).
Notify the entry/exit port in advance to ensure a customs officer familiar with carnets is available.

Required Documents:

Equipment list including serial numbers and values / carnet document

Issuing Organization:

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department issues the equipment customs clearance.

Timing:

3-5 working days

Cost:

Equipment bond: 1% of the total equipment value (capped at $300) Clearing agent fee: MYR 2,000 (approximately $450)

General Overview:

Malaysia is a federation of 13 states and three federal territories in Southeast Asia.
It consists of two regions separated by the South China Sea, bordered by Brunei, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Strategically located along the Strait of Malacca and the Southern South China Sea.

Security Requirements:

Unarmed and uniformed guards for production or filming events.
Personal security guards can be arranged if necessary.

Rebates/Incentives:

Overview

The Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI) offers a 30% cash rebate on Qualifying Malaysian Production Expenditure (QMPE).
An additional 5% cultural test rebate exists but is rarely granted.

Key Details

Rebate: 30% on QMPE
Eligible Productions: Feature films, TV series, animation (feature or series), documentaries, and post-production

Minimum Spend:

Feature Films – RM 5 million (~USD $1.2 million)
TV Series – RM 385,000 (~USD $92,000) per hour
Post-production – RM 1 million

Application: Submit to FINAS (National Film Development Corporation Malaysia) at least 2–3 months before production.

Additional Requirements

At least 30% of the crew must be Malaysian citizens or PR holders.
Productions must include a FINAS screen credit and a CPA audit.
Must comply with all Malaysian laws and guidelines.

Eligibility Criteria

Production Types: Feature films, TV series, animation, documentaries, post-production
Minimum Spend: Must meet QMPE thresholds
Malaysian Content: Should include local storylines, characters, or settings, or use local facilities
Crew: Minimum 30% Malaysian participation
Audit & Credit: CPA audit and FINAS credit required

Reference Links