De facto / Common-Law marriage visa

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Hi, my boyfriend (Australian) will be working in Kuala Lumpur next month, and I (Singaporean-Chinese) will be moving with him. I will not be working, as I will be entering under the social-visit pass, and perhaps find out how we may proceed from there.

We are interested to know if we are able to apply for a de facto or common law spouse visa in Malaysia? I've tried several sites for answers but to no avail. Any help/advise will be greatly appreciated!

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hi, dudsyOO,

Welcome to the site. As you know with a Singaporean passport you'll get 1 month on entry into Malaysia.

What with mm2h and other stuff over the pst few years I've read a number of items on Malaysian immigration matters. And the immigration stuff for Malaysia that I've ever read concerning couples refers to marriage certificates. I can't remember coming across anything regarding a common-law situation. Let's hope that other members have experience of this.

You're probably better to check at the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore. Also check-out the Malaysian Immigration Board at alloexpat.com which usually has items on couples, although usually married.

With a Singaporean passport, and only getting 1 month at a time, you can extend whilst you're in Malaysia for a further month. However, this extension takes up a whole page of your passport and is very noticeable. Once you get several full page extensions spread over a year or so then the Malaysia Immigration officers at JB tend to study the passport and ask questions about working in Malaysia.

The concept of why a Singaporean would work in Malaysia and get 1/2 the Singaporean salary for the same job eludes some officers.

So, rather than renew whilst in Malaysia, it's best to go back into Singapore at the end of every month, stay for a while and return to Malaysia with a new monthy stamp. I know this from experience with friends.

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Thank you so much for your reply Scott, I really appreciate it! I've called the High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore, and they pretty much told me the same thign you've explained in your post. I could apply for a long term visit pass, for a period that can range from 3 to 6 months, but subject to approval.    They've also informed me dependent visa is non-existent for a de facto relationship. 

However, I've heard (hear-said, bf's boss) that an Australian guy managed to get his Thai gf covered by applying for a de facto with the Australian Embassy in Malaysia, and then submitting that for a dependant pass.  I wonder if that is viable?

I suppose I can always look at applying for a student visa, which will give me a year to stay in Malaysia?     

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P.S. The concept of why a Singaporean would work in Malaysia and get 1/2 the Singaporean salary for the same job eludes some officers. - This bit is hilarious, and so true!

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hi,

A Singaporean friend of mine stayed in Malaysia for about 7 years on the basis of the 1-month visa, then Singapore for a week, then back to Malaysia.

The immigration officers at JB sometimes got investigative, sometimes not, however this particular friend always got in/out Ok. Sometimes it just took 5 minutes longer with the usual "are you working here" question. And for some odd reason usually when leaving rather than entering.

"Ha, ha, I've caught an illegal worker leaving the country." What do folks want them to do, stay and work?

And the land route via JB and the Causeway has always been a "less polite" route than via KLIA, or the low cost terminal. I suppose that the immigration officers feel that as an illegal worker you'll travel by coach rather than 747. Kinda makes sense.

Now with lower cost flights SIN/KL flying could be a good option. One way SIN/KL on Air Asia is S$55.

And a student visa also sounds good.

I think that the 1-month in/out tourist stay is a good starting point. This would give you time to sort out a student pass, or something else.

I like the idea of the de-facto dependants pass. When you're in KL you'll be able to go round and check it out.

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Hi Scott,

I have an additional question regarding the 1-month social visit pass, if immigration do stop me and question why i continually re-enter Malaysia.  Should I simply tell them my boyfriend is working here in KL and Im just visiting??  What reasoning will provide me with least hassle??

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hi, dudsy00,

Hi Scott,

I have an additional question regarding the 1-month social visit pass, if immigration do stop me and question why i continually re-enter Malaysia.  Should I simply tell them my boyfriend is working here in KL and Im just visiting??  What reasoning will provide me with least hassle??

That's a great answer. You're visiting your boyfriend. And a photo of you both that's tucked inside your passport cover. And an engagement ring?

Try it a few times and get a feel for the situation. There is nothing illegal, or odd, about being a tourist who visits Malaysia every month to see her boyfriend who is working there. And who stays for the length of time that she's given by the immigration officers.

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Thank you so much Scott! You're a life-saver!!