LSumner

Hi Everyone,

I am moving out to Kuala Lumpur on the 28th January to set-up an operations base for my company (based in the UK). In time we plan to expand and set-up a fully functioning office in KL (possibly Singapore).
My company does not want to immediately set-up and wants me to see how things go for 6 months to a year, the problem here is staying in the country for so long. Are there companies who specialise in sponsoring people in these sort of situations?

Does anyone have suggestions for the best way to proceed here? I know that in countries like Thailand you can do visa runs, would that work in Malaysia or do you have to be out of the country for a long time before returning?

Thanks,

Lionel

bakedbean

Hi Lionel...just to say to the forum

Bluenose1

Hi Lionel and I will add my welcome to bakedbean's. Sorry, I cannot help you with that one! Will you be classed as working? Along with the possibility of needing a Work Permit, there may well be tax implications if you are here for more than a certain number of days.

This is slightly easier to answer. Technically , you can do visa runs, perhaps alternating between Singapore and Bangkok (say) but it may be worth considering a couple of other countries, although for some you will need a visa. Certainly back in 2006 I had 5 different weekend trips to Singapore - the first was on a Thursday evening until Monday. The others were all overnight departing Friday and returning overnight Saturday. Each time I got a 90 day visitor stamp. I didn't purposely do these as visa runs because the longest stint I had at any one time was 8 weeks, so well within the 90 days. I first arrived in the February and was working on a project in Petaling Jaya for pretty much the whole year. The company I was employed by actually have offices in KL and it was they, rather than the client company that eventually applied for my work permit - they didn't actually apply until the August. I was only ever once pulled up about working but not having a Work Permit and that was returning from my last weekend trip to Sing. I don't know if it was my British Passport that got me through, but I was allowed back in without any further problem. Interestingly, a colleague on that project who lived in Hong Kong and who did have a valid Work Permit was held for about 5 hours at KLIA on one occasion when he had gone home with his wife, a Thai who also worked on the project. She was allowed through Immigration without any problem. It took a number of phone calls and the client HR manager actually going to the airport to get him released. We suspected that he was stopped originally on some pretext which Immigration wanted resolved by handing a wad of RM over for some benevolent fund or other ! But of course we could never prove that for certain.

LSumner

Thanks for the welcome and helpful reply!

I will be working, but I don't know if I should be declaring myself as such until I can get a work permit. By the sound of things I should do a couple of VISA runs until I figure out the best course of action, I have two passports so that might come in handy.

I will keep digging for info!

Davita

Be careful when using two passports...some countries are wise to that and want to know where did you last depart.
If you use one passport when departing somewhere and arrive on another...that puts up a red flag...and I'm talking a bright RED flag that could occasion a cavity search, and not just exploring in there for a work permit!

Bluenose1

I remember a colleague of mine once telling me the first time he and his family went to the States (and this was just before September 2011 - I REFUSE to refer to it as 9/11 because that, to me, would mean November the 9th) - when they were queuing (NOT lining) up for Immigration, my colleagues 9 year old sun asked his father "Dad, do our (UK) police have guns?" to which his father, of course said "No". When they got to the desk, without being spoken to, the young lad said "We don't have any guns"! Outcome? The whole family were immediately rushed (and I am talking feet not touching the ground here) into 4 separate rooms (Father, Wife, Son & Daughter) and each one was asked to "Bend over" whilst the sound of rubber snapping against bare skin was heard"!!!! Suffice it to say that all were clean (well, as clean as anyone can be in such circumstances!) ;-)

Davita

The casual talk about the weather.
The wry smile and the bend-over call.
The snap of the rubber glove.
The smell of petroleum jelly.
The coolness of the insertion.
The slight wiggle.
The result...your prostate is the same size...the relief.
The embarrassing tissue clean-up and recover of pants.
The murmured "Thank you, Doctor...Thank you, Nurse".

All reminds me I need another annual check....and I'm already beginning to look forward to it!

bakedbean

Crikey....what you men have to go through, you poor things.

kebi

There is quite an easy and legal way to solve your problem. You should apply for a Representative or Regional Office with MIDA. There will be some paperwork involved but it will be less hustle than leaving the country at times they don’t fit your schedule. You can apply when you are here and they are usually very helpful. For more details check out MIDAS’ webpage: http://www.mida.gov.my/env3/index.ph...gional-offices