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-   -   MM2H direct application - few queries? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/malaysia-148/mm2h-direct-application-few-queries-702225/)

Atilla Jan 25th 2011 11:41 am

MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
OK so Malaysia and Panama are high on my places to go for retirement list. I plan to visit Malaysia in a few weeks (may be a bit longer) and while I was there I figured I might take what I need to get the MM2H if I decide to go ahead. I plan to self apply and get the Conditional Letter before I come.

I have a public sector pension which is in excess of RM 10K per month and as a result I believe that I do not need to either show liquid assets of over RM 350K (I could do that but it's less paperwork to gather and less complicated) and neither do I need to make the RM 150K bond payment.

The MM2H direct application guide indicates that you need 3 months bank statements and 3 months pay/pension slips all of which, along with passport particulars page, need to be certified.

My queries are:

1) If I don't need to show the 350K liquid assets do I still need the bank statements? These are OK to get but would need to be printed off from internet banking and signed presumably by a solicitor. Costs aside I wonder if they are happy to do this, what proof do they have it's genuine???

2) Again, pay slip certification. I presume they are just happy to stamp these up??

3) Finally, just double checking my assumptions are right.

I've got the MM2H application links and will also post this in the MM2H forums.

Thanks

Atilla Jan 25th 2011 1:55 pm

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
Reading MM2H again it seems that I mis-read it. If over 50 you need to show RM 350K assets. If retired, also a government pension of RM 10K.

So, presumably I just get a solicitor in the UK to stamp up printed out bank statements?? So it looks like I just the the solicitor to do:

Passport page
3 bank statements
3 pension slips

I also thought would it just be easier to use an agent. I'd probably go with Joy Stay. But, having checked the site, from the checklist for the basic service it seems you pay about RM 1800 to check your documents and submit them?? The price is actually 3300 I think but as a direct applicant you need to place a bond of 1,500 and unless you get that back, that brings what you pay to the agent over and above what you'd pay as a bond to 1800 but to do what??? All the documents I'd have to get, certifications I'd have to do so I'm a bit confused. OK they will help you open a bank account (but I won't need to place the RM 150 K as my pension qualifies) and help you with mediacl report and insurance, but then again, none of these things can be THAT hard????

bakedbean Jan 26th 2011 8:48 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
I think it's just time consuming and, if doing it yourself, you may find when you get to the MM2H office, that maybe something missing, so may take a few trips back and forth till you've got all the package together - but sure it will save you money. Just depends what is important - time or money?

We used an agent as we weren't in Malaysia at the time and it was easier to scan in all the documents and get her to go through and confirm each one okay - and I think we scanned in about 100 documents. It was quite a long process.

There's a few timing issues we found out too. The LGC (Letter of Good Conduct) needs to be recent. I think it was within 2 weeks but don't quote me on that - so a lot of coordination required - AND up-to-date bank statements. We were waiting for up-to-date statement from one bank, and hoping that the LGC wouldn't go out of date. Tricky.

Strider24 Jan 26th 2011 9:30 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
Hi Atilla,

Its a while since we did our own application, so I'm a bit rusty. Very important is recent letter of good conduct and certified copies of passport, bank statements, pension (which must be equivalent of RM10k a month to qualify for no FD)

The bond of RM1500 comes at the end and is taken with the Immigration Dept rather than MM2H Ministry of tourism (MOT) The amount actually varies depending on your nationality. Its a bit of a hassle as you get the security bond form from the Immigration Dept. Then go to Jalan Duta to one office to by the RM10 stamp, then next door to get the stamp ..stamped (chopped). The money is paid direct to Immigration office in Putra World Trade Centre and refunded when you give up MM2H...so keep a copy of the form and receipt.

Fortunately we were living in KL so it wasn't so much of a hassle to leg around and get things done. The MM2H office in PWTC are super helpful and really walk you through it all.

There is lots of great advise on this on the MM2H forum.:thumbup:

Atilla Jan 26th 2011 9:58 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
Well I'm retired so time is not such an issue. The LGC is no problem and I get regular pension slips so whenever the LGC arrived I'd just get the most recent three slips out, get them copied and certified and send them off, together with the passport etc etc.

Just one thing about the certification, is there a specific form of words or is it just a case of "I certify that this is a true copy or Mr X govt pension slip"??? I also don't get bank statements, I internet bank only, so is it a case of printing out monthly statements from the accounts and getting them certified? I suspect it's better (although more paperwork) to prove ALL your assets (e.g. house etc) rather than just the accounts that would add up to RM 350K or just above?? And on the certification front I suspect a Solicitor is the only option in the UK???

I know what BB means re co-ordination etc but I'm going to have to tie the timing up whether I use an agent or not. Money is not that much of an issue but I don't like just throwing it away.

Strider24 Jan 26th 2011 10:17 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
If your bank account shows consistently RM350k or above for 3 consecutive months, then I would leave it at that. Extra information is extra work for them thats not required.

Living in KL I just used a notary public (commissioner of oaths) for RM5 a form. They inspect the original, stamp and sign the copy and Bob's your uncle. Even the statements were downloaded and printed in colour and shown the Notary as the original...download!

Will you be in KL to make application? If so then take all the paperwork in personally and the girls at MM2H will guide and advise. On one occasion I stuffed up on a letter and the girls quickly did a new one for me, I signed and all went smoothly.:fingerscrossed:

Strider24 Jan 26th 2011 10:27 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
Hi Atila,

I think bakedbean has mentioned this, but check out http://www.my2home.info/index.php?action=search2 as it has lots of good stuff about MM2H applications.:thumbsup:

Atilla Jan 26th 2011 11:12 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
Yeah thanks, Ive joined there too. I think you answered my main query though, the bank statement down load bit. As far as I can see it's only the LGC that's an issue (e.g. the timing of it in that it has to be 21 days old or less when you submit it) the rest is easy enough.

bakedbean Jan 27th 2011 7:18 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
Just to second what Strider has said re the other place. There is a LOT of info on MM2H on that forum and you'll find people who are currently applying, and recently applied, so real stories for you. Best of luck.

jonathanbkk Feb 6th 2011 3:21 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 

Originally Posted by bakedbean (Post 9129576)
I think it's just time consuming and, if doing it yourself, you may find when you get to the MM2H office, that maybe something missing, so may take a few trips back and forth till you've got all the package together - but sure it will save you money. Just depends what is important - time or money?

We used an agent as we weren't in Malaysia at the time and it was easier to scan in all the documents and get her to go through and confirm each one okay - and I think we scanned in about 100 documents. It was quite a long process.

There's a few timing issues we found out too. The LGC (Letter of Good Conduct) needs to be recent. I think it was within 2 weeks but don't quote me on that - so a lot of coordination required - AND up-to-date bank statements. We were waiting for up-to-date statement from one bank, and hoping that the LGC wouldn't go out of date. Tricky.

I live in Bangkok and plan to move to Malaysia around October this year. My emails to MM2H officials have gone unanswered for many months, and I am reluctant to use an agent to give me info which should be freely available! And the fees they have quoted would pay for many flights from Bkk to KL!
Are there any others out there who have applied direct, as I plan to do, without using an agent?

There is conflicting info on the websites:
Health check: To be done (a) before your application by a licensed clinic in Mysa, or (b) you complete form Borang BB1 yourself, which doesn't even require a doctor's signature, or (c) you have the health check done after the MM2H application.
Import of car: An agent has told me that the new car must be owned by me for at least 6 months before I apply for my MM2H visa, but the websites do not mention this. It should, in theory, be free of import duty and car tax, but I can foresee the Customs boys rubbing their hands in glee when it arrives in Butterworth port! "You want your shiny new car today? Oh, well, this could take a few months, as we have lost your import permit forms.. unless you would like to...?"
And what is this Letter of Good Conduct? Something I must get from my local police station here in Bkk? In English?? Oh please!!

ex reg Feb 6th 2011 3:32 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
you might try posting here.
It's not a well used forum and the layout ... well, but anyway.

http://www.alloexpat.com/malaysia_ex...aysia-f33.html

On second thoughts the forum posted above looks so much better.

bakedbean Feb 6th 2011 5:11 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
Hi Jonathan,

You can find ALL answers on the my2home site which is independently run by a British MM2Her as a hobby, so definitely have a look at that one.

I know I keep plugging this site (sorry Sue) but it is very specialised subject MM2H and this site is all about it - simple as that. And I don't get any kickbacks from the site. Mmmm maybe the administrator on there might buy me a beer one day :unsure: heh heh.

Alloexpat is a funny ol' site IMHO. You can take a look but you'll probably find more info on britishexpats or the other one.

I moved from Phuket to Penang, Malaysia and we got our LGCs (Letter of Good Conduct) from Bangkok. It was very easy (and funny :D) though the timing is a little bit tricky as Malaysia needs a recent LGC. So, in other words, do the LGC last. The fingerprinting was hilarious - geez.... what a mess. I can't quite remember all details (senior moment) but I'm pretty sure I documented everything on that forum. I'll see if I can find a link to my posting. At the time, there was another guy on that forum doing same as me who was living in Bangkok, so we did a lot of comparing of notes. Gawd... I ought to send him an email and see if he made it over.

We actually went with an agent in KL to process our visas, as once accepted, she guarantees getting you the visa, and we just wanted to get it right. But it's a personal choice - depends if you want to fork out the money to an agent.

bakedbean Feb 6th 2011 6:33 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
Okay I've found it.... five pages all about Letters of Good Conduct - happy reading! http://www.my2home.info/index.php/topic,711.0.html

The other subjects you mentioned: importing a car / medical insurance / etc etc You'll find separate sub-forums on there. Oh but don't abandon us on here, will ya? :( Let us know how you get on. Best of luck.

Atilla Feb 6th 2011 8:35 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
I'm just in the process of compiling material for an application now. I find the actual MM2H site lists all the info under 'direct application' and the MM2H forums that have been mentioned are extremely helpful. There are still questions I had but that's largely as a degree of paranoia about getting it 100% right first time. Posters here and on MM2H have been very helpful.

As I understand there are two medical forms. One is a self declaration which you fill in when you apply. This needs no certification. The other is a medical check form which you get in Malaysia once you have received your Conditional letter but before you get your MM2H visa. As I understand it is (or can be) a very simple check at a clinic to make sure you are still breathing and a doctor signature on a form for a minimal fee.

I also mailed the MM2H office with a query but did not get an answer. I suspect I won't either.

bakedbean Feb 6th 2011 8:47 am

Re: MM2H direct application - few queries?
 
Yes you are very correct about the medical stuff. We actually got conned into having a fairly exhaustive medical at Adventist Hospital in Penang - well at least we know we are more or less healthy. But you don't have to do that.


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