Parents visa + what if I'm not there?

[riskyrisk]

I know we can apply to have our parent as part of our family (me + wife + parent over 60 yrs) MM2H application. But is the parent's visa one of these 6 months things that has to be renewed? Or is it longer now? If so how hard is the renewal process?

My idea is that I would apply for a MM2H for the family but I wouldn't move there yet. It's really to get my parent into a nicer retirement but on the back of my financial strength. Then I'd join a few or more years later.

Does anyone have experience with this? Or think there might be a gotcha or two? Would I have to be present every 6 months for the renewal?

[scott]

hi, riskyrisk,

The Motour website says that parents over 60 are now classed as dependents along the same lines as spouses and children.

Applicants are allowed to bring their spouses, unmarried children below the age of 21 and parents above the age of 60 as dependants.

I don't know if this means a longer visa for mum and dad. I'll email around.

[riskyrisk]

The older MM2H information talks about 6 months and then it's renewable. But, you're right Scott, the new wording adds the parents in expressly. This is what gets me thinking.... If you can find anything else about this I'd be grateful.

I guess a rolling renewable 6 month thing could work as well. I just wonder if I could make that application for her remotely(I'd still be in London). A bit of pain...

How has it worked up until now for children?

[Davita]

I really don't have any more information than this copy from Joy-Stay's website viz:

"Parents’ Special Visa.
Your parents who are over 60-year old will be eligible to live in Malaysia under a special 6-month social visit visa renewable as long as your MM2H visa is valid."

Perhaps a question to Yvonne or directly to Motour will assist more.

I understand you would like to help your mother to have a better retirement NOW, in Malaysia, while you may wish to join later.

In this case could you not financially assist your mother to attain the MM2H visa on her own behalf now.
When you and your wife are ready you could then apply for yourselves.
When MM2H for yourselves is issued and you are in Malaysia, cancel your mother's MM2H and apply for the Dependants visa for her and renew for her when necessary.

Just a thought.

My wife and I have only recently received our visa and found no problem with the MM2H Officers. My gut feeling is that they are very willing to make accommodations so long as they are not seeing abuse of their program.

David

[papaya]

In this case could you not financially assist your mother to attain the MM2H visa on her own behalf now.
When you and your wife are ready you could then apply for yourselves.

That could be a problem if Mum cannot produce 3 months statements of offshore income 10K a month - how to fudge that?  Agree with Davita that a question to Joy-Stay or Motour might be the way to go.

[scott]

hi,

Done already.   

I sent an email to Motour and have gotten the standard "closed for CNY and we'll get back to you soonest" response.

An email to Yvonne at Joy-Stay received the following fast response :

As of to date, Joy-Stay have no applicants that brought their Parents but there are two new applicants who requested the procedures for the Parent's visa. I've consulted the immigration officer, his reply was that the applicant may apply for parents over age of 60 AFTER the applicant obtains the MM2H visa endorsement. The Parent's visa is the 6-month renewal visa. The parents do not have to leave the country, the applicant may renew the parent's visa at PWTC every 6 month.
 
The list of required items & conditions given by the Immigration Unit are as below:
 
1) Main applicant & parents must be present.
2) Letter of Intention from the main applicant.
3) IMM.12 (One copy for each parent)
4) 2 no. of passport-sized photos.
5) Original & copy of Main Applicant's Birth certificate.
6) Original & copy of parent's passport.
7) Original & copy of parents' marriage certificate.
8) Copy of Main applicant's passport (Photo page & MM2H visa page)
9) Original & Copy of main applicant's MM2H Conditional Approval Letter.
10) RBii Form.
11) Original & copy of Medical Insurance.
12) Personal Bond (Stamped RM10)
 
We believe when the "original and copy" mean that they can be replace by certified copies.
The processing time should be 3 days. After the approval is out, the parents will be given the 6-month visa.
 

I'll post the MoTour reply when it arrives.

[riskyrisk]

Hmmm, I guess the process will need refining.
Both have to show in person in KL! That might be trickier if people are not living in KL. And having to produce all the documents every 6 months seems onerous. Kind of shoots a hole in my plan. But let's see what comes back.

I guess the theory for her to apply in her own name could work. But I'd have to transfer 350,000 MYR in her name. (Would a joint mother/son account with twice the amount work?) And then transfer 10,000 MYR per month for at least 3 months into her account to show an off shore income. I wonder if that'd float. The 10,000 MYR per month offshore income would be incoming from her son. Reality is I couldn't sustain the 10,000 MYR for too long. She'd be living on more like 3,500 MYR. But I guess once she had the visa then we'd be fine until the next renewal.
Seem kind of silly to have to jump through those hoops, no?

As a family(me + wife + mother) I have no problem to leave 300,000 MYR on fixed deposit in Malaysia.

[Davita]

Hmmm, I guess the process will need refining.
Both have to show in person in KL! That might be trickier if people are not living in KL. And having to produce all the documents every 6 months seems onerous. Kind of shoots a hole in my plan. But let's see what comes back.

I guess the theory for her to apply in her own name could work. But I'd have to transfer 350,000 MYR in her name. (Would a joint mother/son account with twice the amount work?) And then transfer 10,000 MYR per month for at least 3 months into her account to show an off shore income. I wonder if that'd float. The 10,000 MYR per month offshore income would be incoming from her son. Reality is I couldn't sustain the 10,000 MYR for too long. She'd be living on more like 3,500 MYR. But I guess once she had the visa then we'd be fine until the next renewal.
Seem kind of silly to have to jump through those hoops, no?
As a family(me + wife + mother) I have no problem to leave 300,000 MYR on fixed deposit in Malaysia.

As in all things with all Government Institutions anytime someone tries a new approach the bureaucrats get nervous.

I have no real knowledge but do not see anything wrong with you financially supporting your mother to obtain her own MM2H visa on her own volition. Probably more guaranteed than from Goldman Sachs....or others...

If you have the required substantial amount in a joint or separate account for her to qualify, and evidence of monthly income, that should satisfy the requirement. Where it comes from should not matter.

I personally had difficulty substantiating my income as it was dependant on the markets and dividends etc. Joy-Stay managed to manipulate the income requirement to satisfy the Government. I do suggest Joy-Stay would best assist your mother to get the visa if you are not in a position, at this time, to administrate everything.

The main issue is that your mother will need to deposit RM 150,000 in a bank in her name in Malaysia, and it cannot be allowed to reduce, unless in special circumstances.

Once she receives her MM2H visa there is no further requirement to maintain a RM 10,000 per month income...no-one checks. She can live as well or as frugal as she determines.

When you wish to exercise your own MM2H and get your visa, it is possible to collapse hers if you do not wish to maintain her RM 150,000 deposit or, as you already suggest, just keep both MM2H visas separate and eliminate the Dependants 6 month renewable visa issue.

btw...for what it is worth..
I have already established using my MM2H fixed deposit (interest bearing) as part of HSBC's requirement to maintain their Premier Global Banking facility. I was thus able to collapse my other FD (non-interest bearing) that was previously needed for HSBC's Premier Bank facility.

[riskyrisk]

Thanks Davita! This approach might be the best if the government will accept it. That way she gets her own MM2H but based off my financials.

If anyone has thoughts that this might not fly let me know so I can come up with other angles! 

[scott]

hi,

Here's the prompt response from Cindy Lim at MoTour :

With regard to your enquiry on parents, please be informed that they are accorded six monthly stays which are renewable without their having to leave the country.

[scott]

hi,

I personally had difficulty substantiating my income as it was dependant on the markets and dividends etc. Joy-Stay managed to manipulate the income requirement to satisfy the Government. I do suggest Joy-Stay would best assist your mother to get the visa if you are not in a position, at this time, to administrate everything.

This is one of the flaws of the current criteria. Folks may have the financial requirements but in such a way that does not readily serve up RM10,000 per month.