Advice on documentation, please

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Hi All,

It looks as if it is hit and miss with what length of via you get as a "family". Also in terms of the charges. We were charged for the full 10 years although the visa runs for just under 9 years. What to do - just glad to get it and get out of there!!

Cheers

Brian

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hi, Tombo,

Sorry, I didn't realise that you were already here. I've emailed MoTour about both of the points and will post as soon as there's a reply.

It's interesting to read the different outcomes. The reason that I got the copies of my FD certificate and insurance certified was because they did it when I asked. And I always seem to get the official who has decided, for that afternoon only, to be a real stickler.

regards, Scott

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hi,

Here's the reply from MoTour to my email of a couple of days ago.

Reply from MoTour 15/11/07

With regard to your enquiry, we hope the following response will be of help:
 
1. Originals of FD, medical report and health insurance cover : yes, originals may be provided to the Immigration authorities for confirmation of MM2H status, if you are able to obtain extra originals.  Otherwise, the certified copies are required as the Immigration authorities need a copy for their records.   
 
2. Validity of Social Visit Pass for family:  the validity of the Social Visit Pass for each member of the family will follow the passport validity of the main applicant.  However, if the dependant's passport validity is expiring before the passport validity of the main applicant, he/she will be given the Social Visit Pass for the duration of his passport validity.
 

So, that's the latest from Motour, and they responded super quick and with their usual politeness.

regards, Scott

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We are just starting the process. I am wondering if there is a website that reviews the quality of sponsors....or if they are all the same?

Also, I understand we must provide either originals of many documents (like bank statements) or "certified true copies" of those documents. I requested such docs from my USA bank and was told "we don't do that" or they don't understand my request. My request to notarize copies of my passport was given puzzled looks - I was told that they only certify signatures on legal documents. So...where can we get this done? I am currently in Jakarta.

Also, how does one open a bank account to deposit the funds in a Malaysian bank without residency or a introductory letter? I asked at HSBC and Maybank and was told I cannot open an account unless I am a resident in Malaysia. How do applicants do it then?

Thanks for your advise! CTraveling

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Re banking, if you are prepared to deposit a relatively large sum with HSBC (£60,000 in the UK - fairly good interest rate, but not the best) you can become a 'Premier' customer and apply to open a local account just about anywhere in the world where HSBC operates, even before you arrive there.

Thus my account at HSBC Penang was open, including credit card issued, before I arrived there last month. On arrival in Penang I went to see my new account manager to collect my ATM card and security dongle for online banking - all very efficient and simple.

Part of your opening deposit can be put towards your MM2H fixed deposit once your visa application is approved, i.e. you don't have to deposit extra for that.

Hope this helps,
John B

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Scott

thanks for follwing up on that with MoTour.  The bank did say they can give me duplicate originals, so that will do for FD. For the others will get certified copies.

I assume it is easy enough to find the Det of Immigration place in Putrajaya, taxi to get there is the best option I assume?  What is the taxi fare anyone??

Re ctraveling's enquiry about opening a bank account in Malaysia prior to having residence.  I agree with John B, if you have an HSBC Premier Account they will prearrange the account for you, so when you arrive you just sign some things and its all done.   We didnt have to deposit a large sum of money with HSBC to get a Premier status account, we just switched over our mortgage to them (almost the same thing I guess).

But we also opened an account with a local bank, and all we had to do was tell them that we have applied for MM2H (they didnt ask for any evidence of this), and give a local address.  However there are some restrictions on internet banking with local banks (there are threads on this) like can only transfer by internet max RM3,000 at a time to a 3rd party account.  So in practice we find you need a local bank for ease of ATM, and an international bank for international transfers etc.   

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hi,

Regarding ctraveling's enquiry on "certified true copies" you can get this done by a consular official, so you may like to check with the Malaysian representative office in Jakarta.

You can also get it done by a public notary.

regards, Scott

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Hi Scott

My wife in Penang tells me we have now received our medical insurance (Ringgit Net) and all we have to show for it is a receipt stating our names and addresses, policy no, duration of policy.  Is this what we have to get certified??  I was thinking we would get a certificate or something.....    I think you and most others on this site seem to go for the same policy so could you advise what documentation you received in respect of Ringgit Net medical insurance. 

Tombo (Jakarta)

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Hi Tombo,

We just got our visa last week and like you we used the Ringitt Net policy. You should definitely have recieved a certificate of insurance and this is what the Ministry want. I am sure they wouldnt be happy with just the reciept. When we got our policy in KL we were given two originals as the insurance company knew about MM2H and were prepared for this.

If they are unsure about what they need to do ask them to contact Richard Ong in thier KL office.

Bob

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hi, Tombo,

As Bob said you should get the policy. However collecting in KL and receiving by post may be different. A receipt is issued quickly whilst the actual policy usually comes later.

regards, Scott

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Thanks everyone for the advice.  Yes I assumed there would be a certificate or somesuch.  The Penang agent is a bit slack, it taken a week just to get the receipt off him. 

I'll chase him up

Tombo

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Bob

Can you give me email address for Richard Ong

Thanks

Tombo

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hi, Tombo,

Try AIG's Mr. Ong at: richard_ohh@yahoo.com.sg

regards, Scott