When is right time to apply

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Hello all,

I have a general question.

We have decided that we would like to retire in Malaysia. I should qualify for the MMH2 programme this year as I turn fifty. The plan so far is to spend at least 6 months in Malaysia and the rest of time in India (Goa). Unfortunately, a lot of our equity is tied up in a couple of properties in the UK. As you may know at present the property market in the UK is not in good state. Hence, we have planned to ride the current economic downturn. At present it is predicted that two things should turn things around in the UK in the very near future. An election possibly next year/following year and the 2012 Olympics. Under the circumstances, we probably will not move this year, it may be next year but looks more likely to be 2010. What I wanted was an opinion from the forum members on the following question: irrespective of when we move is it worth getting the MMH2 visa as soon as I qualify as the rules have/will keep changing? If we do not intend to live in Malaysia imminently will we still have to have the medical insurance?

Thanks for your feedback.

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If you are doing 6 in and 6 out - why not just use the social visa system and save yourself a lot of paperwork

Just a thought

Cheers

JJ

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Good question.
My plans have always been to split my time between, Malaysia, Australia and the rest of the world. The MM2H strikes me as a relatively simple system that provides a high degree of certainty. I agree that there is a bit of paperwork at the start but once in ten years is not a big ask. On the medical insurance side, the posts on this aspect show that it is not a big cost driver.
Not that I think it likely but you would kick yourself if you bought a property and they changed the rules to make the MM2H harder to obtain in the future.

Good luck

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Donohue that is my view too. It’s better to get a 10 year MMH2 visa then to gamble with the social visa as the rule may change at any time. The benefits and security of having a secure passage (MMH2) outperform the cost (around £1000) and the hassle of the initial paperwork. I would welcome any other views on this matter.

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Hi,

Biggest benefit - income tax relief!! Worth any of the aggro at the start of the process.

Cheers

Brian

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I agree with the consensus. It is almost a 'no brainer' to join as soon as you can. The outlay is not huge, and the benefits are significant. No other scheme in the region is comprable.

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It was good to see Brain's comment regarding Tax. For all the comments (some pretty childish and whinging) about MM2H, I rarely see comments about the tax benefits of MM2H against social visits and other countries schemes. If you are a UK resident with a UK pension then the increase in income due to the double taxation agreement of between 20-40% depending on your tax band makes all the other time hassles and costs pretty meaningless.

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hi,

I've been in the UK (first time for 4 years) and in Portugal for the past 6 months. My recent bureaucratic experiences in these 2 countries have made me promise myself that I won't whine or complain about MM2H or Malaysia for the rest of this life, if not the next.

But there again, what would life be like without a little gripe now and again. If we don't have the occasional moan all the politicians will think that we're zombies that they can push around at whim.

regards, Scott

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Hi happyholskl,
Good comment, however I think the tax benefits have been well cover in the early days in this forum under various threads.

We are all familiar with the "weather/food/cost of living/friendly people/nice places to visit/ blah blah/blah reasons" for wanting to be here; but for me (us) the primary reasons are the tax benefit & the excellent schooling for my kids.

When they leave home, I will still stay on the scheme, but spend much more time in countries other than Malaysia

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hi,

Just to make a comment. Several years ago it was my intention to spend 6 months in Malaysia, then 6 months elsewhere. Elsewhere being Portugal, Italy, UK etc. The joys of western architecture and culture. It didn't happen.

What happened was massive airfare and cost of living increases. Portugal joined the euro and prices doubled. Prices in the UK jumped - trains, coaches, electricity, rates. I simply couldn't afford regular 6 monthly trips back to the UK or elsewhere.

So, I stayed in Malaysia with trips around the region on the low cost carriers. Much nicer. And the MM2H visa means that I can use Malaysia as a base. It's great.