Sarawak M2H
#106
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Re: Sarawak M2H
If you have to work through a "non-agent" agent it could...but the financial requirements are also lower and more diverse (pension option). I can't figure out why the State government says "no agents" yet allows these individuals to exist. To suggest an innocent reason, I think that it was simply an oversight when the Peninsula and Sarawak both converted over to allowing "self-application". Sarawak also decided to go "no agents" but left off the system of allowing the applicant to make their own bond payment. On the other hand, maybe the don't want people applying who a) have never been to Sarawak, b) don't have friends, colleagues or family in Sarawak and/or c) can't find a local who will take payment for the bond for an "additional" gratuity.
I originally thought that...oh yeah, this is simply a way of getting the applicant to ask someone in the MoT, a doctor, immigration or someone else involved in the government to "clear the path". But the requirement specifically says that no in associated with the government branches of these branches can act as a sponsor. Maybe they are trying to flush out applicants who might bribe government officials???
I originally thought that...oh yeah, this is simply a way of getting the applicant to ask someone in the MoT, a doctor, immigration or someone else involved in the government to "clear the path". But the requirement specifically says that no in associated with the government branches of these branches can act as a sponsor. Maybe they are trying to flush out applicants who might bribe government officials???
#107
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Re: Sarawak M2H
RedApe: Thank you for your comprehensive information. Some time ago, when I asked an MoT official about how to get an sponsor, he wrote: We see how when you are here. What does it mean?
#108
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Re: Sarawak M2H
I asked Acropolis (one of the Sarawak agents) to explain:
And their reply was:
I note that "Usage of agents, middleman or consultant firms are prohibited" - a direct quote from: http://www.mtacys.sarawak.gov.my/upl...Conditions.pdf. How do you get around this?
"Use of agents, middleman...." the way it is written on the website is really confusing to many people. Here they are talking about your sponsor who needs to give a personal guarantee when you apply. It is prohibited to use agents, middleman or consultant firm as your sponsor. They must be native Sarawaki. As your migration consultant, we will help you to find that sponsor. But we cannot be the sponsor for you.
#109
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Re: Sarawak M2H
Epicurious: Thank you for the information. However, agents in Kuching working for SM2H applicants seems to have been charging very high, about double that charged by those in KL.
#110
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Re: Sarawak M2H
Pardon me if I am interrupting, which I am, but it is to help others.
"We see how when you are here. What does it mean? "
It is a local (Malaysian) way of saying : We will try to figure out/explore (about those things) when we personally see you here (indirectly meaning they will respond if you see personally and not wasting their time with what-ifs). It is a "Malaysian English" word-for-word translation from local Chinese dialect of expressing that politely.
Slashes in local writing represents options mostly appearing in documents, like Male/Female where one is to cross out (eliminate) what is appropriate and therefore indicate their choice. It is quite a dated practice where it was more difficult to put in tick boxes. Most Malaysians would take such thing for granted.
regards
"We see how when you are here. What does it mean? "
It is a local (Malaysian) way of saying : We will try to figure out/explore (about those things) when we personally see you here (indirectly meaning they will respond if you see personally and not wasting their time with what-ifs). It is a "Malaysian English" word-for-word translation from local Chinese dialect of expressing that politely.
Slashes in local writing represents options mostly appearing in documents, like Male/Female where one is to cross out (eliminate) what is appropriate and therefore indicate their choice. It is quite a dated practice where it was more difficult to put in tick boxes. Most Malaysians would take such thing for granted.
regards
#111
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Re: Sarawak M2H
"We see how when you are here. What does it mean? "
It is a local (Malaysian) way of saying : We will try to figure out/explore (about those things) when we personally see you here (indirectly meaning they will respond if you see personally and not wasting their time with what-ifs). It is a "Malaysian English" word-for-word translation from local Chinese dialect of expressing that politely.
It is a local (Malaysian) way of saying : We will try to figure out/explore (about those things) when we personally see you here (indirectly meaning they will respond if you see personally and not wasting their time with what-ifs). It is a "Malaysian English" word-for-word translation from local Chinese dialect of expressing that politely.
The one case where they (the MoT) did that they referred the person to an individual asking for RM10,000. Note that this person would not even have to submit the bond...just promise to pay it IF the recipient violated the terms of their 5 Year Pass.
I think the system needs to be reformed, for the benefit of BOTH the applicants and the State of Sarawak...which would benefit from both the regular visa fees, but also the direct investment into a over-heated housing market, money put into the local economy from outside, and a more regular cycle of "tourism" income, which is currently boom (Summer)-and-bust (Fall and Winter). Maybe people should write the Minister of Tourism, Sarawak directly but politely with their issues and desire to shift to a system similar to the Peninsula that allows self-bonding, with the MoT acting as the sponsor.
I think s Private Secretary to the Minister YB Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah might be the best contact :
Abdul Karim Bin Junaidi. [email protected]
One can also send a copy to the Permanent Secretary: Hii Chang Kee [email protected]
They might be the best to facilitate a change in policy if they learned of the great interest in Sarawak MM2H and the barriers that otherwise well-qualified applicants face regarding sponsors and "agents".
#112
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Re: Sarawak M2H
Akropolis: "Use of agents, middleman...." the way it is written on the website is really confusing to many people. Here they are talking about your sponsor who needs to give a personal guarantee when you apply. It is prohibited to use agents, middleman or consultant firm as your sponsor. They must be native Sarawaki. As your migration consultant, we will help you to find that sponsor. But we cannot be the sponsor for you."
Someone doesn't understand (or want to) that "a migration consultant" is a "consultant firm"...and that they are acting as a "middleman". They are doing the same thing as "agents" on the peninsula and are licensed as such. Nowhere in the application materials does it say "Use of agents, middlemen or consultants AS sponsors is prohibited"...it's prohibited for them to act as sponsor or a middleman.
Someone doesn't understand (or want to) that "a migration consultant" is a "consultant firm"...and that they are acting as a "middleman". They are doing the same thing as "agents" on the peninsula and are licensed as such. Nowhere in the application materials does it say "Use of agents, middlemen or consultants AS sponsors is prohibited"...it's prohibited for them to act as sponsor or a middleman.
#113
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Re: Sarawak M2H
RedApe says: "I think s Private Secretary to the Minister YB Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah might be the best contact: Abdul Karim Bin Junaidi. [email protected]
One can also send a copy to the Permanent Secretary: Hii Chang Kee [email protected]. They might be the best to facilitate a change in policy if they learned of the great interest in Sarawak MM2H and the barriers that otherwise well-qualified applicants face regarding sponsors and 'agents'."
Dear RedApe: I intend to write to them. Can you please do me a favour and provide me with some points, as you are expert in this field, so that I can expand and make a good reading for them? Do you think I should write in plain text email or enclose as a doc in pdf format? Thank you so much.
One can also send a copy to the Permanent Secretary: Hii Chang Kee [email protected]. They might be the best to facilitate a change in policy if they learned of the great interest in Sarawak MM2H and the barriers that otherwise well-qualified applicants face regarding sponsors and 'agents'."
Dear RedApe: I intend to write to them. Can you please do me a favour and provide me with some points, as you are expert in this field, so that I can expand and make a good reading for them? Do you think I should write in plain text email or enclose as a doc in pdf format? Thank you so much.
#114
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Re: Sarawak M2H
Sent a pm, obaydullah
#115
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Re: Sarawak M2H
Sorry Mr RedApe, I couldn't find the pm sent by you.
#116
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Re: Sarawak M2H
Did you look at the top right corner of the page where it says "Welcome, obaydullah"? Should be a link for your Personal Messages. Or you can send me YOUR email...by clicking my name "RedApe" on this post (left side top) with your email. I don't think I can or want to send long attachments through here.
#117
Re: Sarawak M2H
Good morning RedApe, I was wondering if you could elaborate a little more on the Journey Performed Visa for all of us curious minds - what is it and why is it necessary. I've found another forum that mentions it and a contributor named CinnamonApe has made some comment on it (since I'm new to this forum I'm unable to post URLs - sorry - just google search 'cinnamonape journey-performed fee'). But I'm still in the dark about what it all means (perhaps I'm not the brightest star in the night sky). Thank you so much!
#118
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Re: Sarawak M2H
Seems my last piece didn't get posted for some reason.
I'm RedApe and Cinnamonape BTW.
My understanding is that the the Journey Performed procedure is a way of allowing those with RM to get out of flying back to the home country to get a "proper" Social Visit Visa with Reference. The latter requirement clear relates to people seeking employment visas. Malaysia wants tourists and wants to make it easy for tourists to come, hence they issue the Tourist Pass. But they absolutely abhor people coming here on those, seeking work, and thus "jumping the queue" ahead of those doing the proper thing- applying for work from outside the country. They have a rule that no one can get a work or other long-term visa without entering on a Social Visit Visa issued at an embassy or consulate from OUTSIDE from the country.
So workers need an agent or contractor to "show need" go through the various Ministries and get letters ("with reference") to their workers for the embassy. I'm sure some fees are paid along the way.
Now to MM2H and how that relates to this rule. With some exceptions (mainly Commonwealth countries...except for India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka... that do not need a Reference to receive a Visa) it's expected that MM2H applicants can only receive their MM2H visa if the have a legitimate Social Visit Visa With Reference. So if you come in on a Tourist Pass, that's just like that Bangladeshi who seeks work and later asks for a work permit. Sorry...out you go...apply outside the country with your reference.
MM2H applicants OUTSIDE MALAYSIA can either submit their papers through an agent, who will do the paperwork for them and send (or have sent from the Ministry of Tourism) the Letter of Conditional Acceptance. Then they can use this letter through the embassy or consulate to obtain a Social Visit Visa. They have thus jumped through the proper hoop to then get their MM2H multi-entry 10 year Visa (after the health check and establishing of Fixed Account, of course). I am not sure that if you submit everything via mail and internet as a self-applicant - maybe the Ministry of Tourism will send you the Letter of Conditional Acceptance?
What about someone that screws up (or lacks an agent) and enters on a tourist pass. Well...the Immigration Department will issue you with the "Journey Performed" Short Term Visa. Mine was good...not for 1 month, or 3 months...but for all of the day of issuance (January 30 to January 30, 2018). I paid RM6 for this Visa, and RM500 for the Journey Performed "processing fee". The term "Journey Performed" seems to be a reference to a "fiction" that one has left the country and returned on the "proper visa".
Now in Sarawak, there are no agents, so the option to have an agent submit the paperwork and send the Letter to you is actually impossible (or at least not supposedly to be done). If you have a real sponsor they could do this for you, I suppose, but you are supposed to be "in country, in person" for the interview, health check, etc. I'm unsure if anyone not on the Commonwealth list can actually apply for the Social Visit Visa outside the country.
BTW Here is the List of Mainly Commonwealth (plus a few others) that do not require visas. Antigua & Bermuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland*, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Netherland*, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Island, South Africa*, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, San Marino*, St Vincent Grenadine, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Gilbert Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Western Samoa*, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
I note that Malta, Ghana, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka are absent and are on the Visa with Reference Required List. The starred* nations are, oddly, also listed on the required Visa With Reference list.
I'm RedApe and Cinnamonape BTW.
My understanding is that the the Journey Performed procedure is a way of allowing those with RM to get out of flying back to the home country to get a "proper" Social Visit Visa with Reference. The latter requirement clear relates to people seeking employment visas. Malaysia wants tourists and wants to make it easy for tourists to come, hence they issue the Tourist Pass. But they absolutely abhor people coming here on those, seeking work, and thus "jumping the queue" ahead of those doing the proper thing- applying for work from outside the country. They have a rule that no one can get a work or other long-term visa without entering on a Social Visit Visa issued at an embassy or consulate from OUTSIDE from the country.
So workers need an agent or contractor to "show need" go through the various Ministries and get letters ("with reference") to their workers for the embassy. I'm sure some fees are paid along the way.
Now to MM2H and how that relates to this rule. With some exceptions (mainly Commonwealth countries...except for India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka... that do not need a Reference to receive a Visa) it's expected that MM2H applicants can only receive their MM2H visa if the have a legitimate Social Visit Visa With Reference. So if you come in on a Tourist Pass, that's just like that Bangladeshi who seeks work and later asks for a work permit. Sorry...out you go...apply outside the country with your reference.
MM2H applicants OUTSIDE MALAYSIA can either submit their papers through an agent, who will do the paperwork for them and send (or have sent from the Ministry of Tourism) the Letter of Conditional Acceptance. Then they can use this letter through the embassy or consulate to obtain a Social Visit Visa. They have thus jumped through the proper hoop to then get their MM2H multi-entry 10 year Visa (after the health check and establishing of Fixed Account, of course). I am not sure that if you submit everything via mail and internet as a self-applicant - maybe the Ministry of Tourism will send you the Letter of Conditional Acceptance?
What about someone that screws up (or lacks an agent) and enters on a tourist pass. Well...the Immigration Department will issue you with the "Journey Performed" Short Term Visa. Mine was good...not for 1 month, or 3 months...but for all of the day of issuance (January 30 to January 30, 2018). I paid RM6 for this Visa, and RM500 for the Journey Performed "processing fee". The term "Journey Performed" seems to be a reference to a "fiction" that one has left the country and returned on the "proper visa".
Now in Sarawak, there are no agents, so the option to have an agent submit the paperwork and send the Letter to you is actually impossible (or at least not supposedly to be done). If you have a real sponsor they could do this for you, I suppose, but you are supposed to be "in country, in person" for the interview, health check, etc. I'm unsure if anyone not on the Commonwealth list can actually apply for the Social Visit Visa outside the country.
BTW Here is the List of Mainly Commonwealth (plus a few others) that do not require visas. Antigua & Bermuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland*, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Netherland*, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Island, South Africa*, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, San Marino*, St Vincent Grenadine, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Gilbert Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Western Samoa*, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
I note that Malta, Ghana, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka are absent and are on the Visa with Reference Required List. The starred* nations are, oddly, also listed on the required Visa With Reference list.
#119
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Re: Sarawak M2H
I guess that the agent who handled my MM2H application was not aware of how to prevent the visa performed charge. They sent me the conditional approval letter and let me travel to Malaysia, without applying for a visa in advance. Thus the cost was incurred. At that time I wasn't even aware that there is a way to avoid this cost and considered it an unavoidable necessity to get my MM2H.
#120
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Re: Sarawak M2H
Sad to hear that. I think that even agents are not aware of the thicket of rules related to this. BTW are you from a Commonwealth nation on the above list? I think that the Ministry of Immigration itself should tell individuals from those nations that the are not subject to the JP Fee. It will be interesting to learn if anyone from the above states were charged.
Also, because you already have a legitimate visa, there should not be a JP fee when you renew the visa.
Also, because you already have a legitimate visa, there should not be a JP fee when you renew the visa.