Visa runners - new rules?
 

Just saw a friend of mine ranting on Facebook, stuck at the airport and they won't let him back into Malaysia unless he flies back to the UK :blink: then gets a flight back to Malaysia. Oh dear. I thought he was a MM2Her but clearly not it seems, and has been visa running for several years with no mishaps.

So.... looks like things are tightening up in Malaysia.

A couple of years ago, another couple we knew who couldn't get MM2H, were getting regularly hassled on their visa runs. I think they did it for about a year, then gave up, and returned to Europe.

Anyone got any new stories?

Re: Visa runners - new rules?
 

In a similar vein, there is an inconsistency on stamping of MM2H passports at immigration, some do, some don't. Last time I asked for it not to be stamped (running out of space) and the guy said I should ask for an i-kad if I didn't want it stamped. No-one has ever suggested I could have one of those before. Anyone here got one?

Re: Visa runners - new rules?
 

We can get iKads?? Serious? In the early days of MM2H they issued them, then at some point they stopped issuing them. That would be great if they are issuing them to MM2Hers again.

Yes there are inconsistencies for sure. I don't have a huge amount of sympathy for visa runners but, on the other hand, if someone has been doing it for years, and Immigration have been allowing then surely the smart thing for Immigration to do is to say to them OK this is the last time, and mark their passport.....rather than just leave someone high and dry at airport airside.

Re: Visa runners - new rules?
 

If MM2H'ers could get one, many would.

However the iKad was only issued to MM2H'ers for a brief period several years ago and not since. It may come back, certainly many of us would find it easier, but there is no sign of it on the official website, nor on any of the forums.

:(

As for visa runners, this has always been an issue and Malaysia is no exception to other places really. MM2H is the only long term visa available for visitors (i.e. those without business or family in Malaysia), so if you turn up at a customs desk without a visa and lots of entry / exit stamps for Malaysia then it comes down to the origin rules and the laziness/officiousness of the guard.

In actual fact, more people get given the benefit of the doubt due to the laziness of customs officers than is probably allowed for by the strict reading of the rules.

Equally, any interim tourist visa - allowing for say a stay of 3 to 4 months (i.e. winter season) would probably undermine MM2H - albeit it would also probably increase the level of tourism.

Not an easy call for Tourism Malaysia I suspect.

Re: Visa runners - new rules?
 

So where did he fly from.

I know they have stopped all road entries from Thailand a while ago, but thought all flights in would be allowed. What country is he from.

Re: Visa runners - new rules?
 

What do you mean, they have stopped all road entries?

He flew from Krabi (a Brit). Apparently Firefly were very supportive. Anyway....after 2 nights on the floor of Penang airport, his Malaysian GF went over to see the boss man at Butterworth Immigration on the mainland and she's got him cleared....hurrah. As always, so many inconsistencies.

Re: Visa runners - new rules?
 

From what I gather from chatting to people around Chulia street, many folks used to get on a visa run mini bus to the Thailand boarder (not sure which town) and go across the boarder and come back the same day.

All this has stopped and no buses will take you there any more as if you have a previous Malaysian visa, they won't let you back in.

Re: Visa runners - new rules?
 

Yeah, but next time???