Agents no longer required!

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hi,

Yep, Qjumper, you're quite right and I'll also be starting to email MoTour when I return to Malaysia in the next few weeks.

Two years ago, when I was emailing MoTour with plenty of somewhat forthright observations/questions I received a strange email from MoTour requesting confirmation of my name and address - the "where are you" email that is referred to elsewhere on the site. They were "updating their files."

This email stated that this was "for the record." No-one else that I know was asked for such information.

Thanks, jr6020 for the news from Lai Sevren. Something to look forward to?

regards, Scott

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Scott.....I presume you didn't supply the requested information!

Ironically, I don't believe that either Immigration or MoTour keep a complete data base on MM2Hers!

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hi,

You're right. I didn't supply the requested information. I also went through this forum, and alloexpat, and MM2H.com to delete any reference in any of my postings to my location etc. Luckily there weren't any of any significance.

What it means, as you suggested, is that MoTour probably doesn't really have any record of visa holders. No doubt there's a pile of files (paper most likely) lying around somewhere that, in the fullness of time, may get translated into accessible/usable data but then again ... 

regards, Scott

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hi,

I forgot to mention that several days ago I received an email reply from Yvonne at Joy-Stay. She also confirms that MoTour is considering the suggestion of allowing DIY applications.

However, she notes that it is only a suggestion and it could take years to be either accepted or rejected. She says that MoTour is adding to the reporting work-load required from agents.

regards, Scott

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hi,

Well, here's some bright news for the New Year. It's just been taken from the MoTour site.

1. Effective 9 January, 2009 individuals may apply to participate in MM2H programme directly, without going through any other third party OR may apply through MM2H agents licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.

2. Effective 9 January, 2009 there will be a freeze on issuance of MM2H agent licenses by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.

So from TODAY, you're free to DIY if you want to.

regards, Scott

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hi,

MoTour has changed (reversed) the rules on the compulsory use of a 3rd party (agent) for the application.

However, it has not changed the acceptable signatories for the Personal Bond Form. I guess that this is a technical overlooking on following up the implications of the change.

I've emailed Cindy at MoTour to ask about this, and will post a reply when received. If anyone else has info, please post.

regards, Scott

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Good news indeed.  In the nick of time for us; was going to put in the Apps this week.  Will wait a few days. Don't think it will make much difference with the slight delay. Will need clarification re Sponsor bit before progressing.

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Good news! For those who have been through the process with an agent, if you had to do it yourselves, would you? Is it a lot of paperwork and is it worth having an agent to smooth the process? Is it something you could have easily done yourselves?

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WE did it before "agents" it was a piece of cake. A very short application form and a few bits and pieces about income and deposits. Agents were getting money for old rope. I have just filled in an application for immigration to Australia - 25 pages of application plus reams and reams of documentation it has taken us best part of a week to get it all in line. Even so I cannot see why people even use agents for Australia as you would still have to fill in the application form yourself and provide all the info - so not sure what you would save and it could cost you up to A$4000 in fees.

Cheers

Brian

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hi,

Sazz says :

For those who have been through the process with an agent, if you had to do it yourselves, would you? Is it a lot of paperwork and is it worth having an agent to smooth the process? Is it something you could have easily done yourselves?

I did it myself a few years ago, and it's pretty much the same requirements now. Plus there are sites like this one for Q&A's. You can easily do it yourself, if you want to. And it is easy, really easy.

Is it worth it? No matter which way, agents or DIY, you still have to fill-in the forms and provide the information. So it's really a question of the physical delivery of the application, and trusting your own efforts, and what else you could be doing with your time and effort.

Joy-Stay will make the application for you under it's Semi-DIY Plan for RM1800 for a couple (RM1600 for single applicant). It's the only MM2H agency that I've come across that offers this (as usual, if any other agency does offer this, please post).

When I applied the cheapest was RM3,500 and the average RM7,000. For me this was too much so DIY was the only option.

If you're already in Malaysia, or are visiting anyway, then go ahead and DIY for sure. You can personally hand in the application, and have a chat with MoTour, and check-out the banks and insurance companies whilst you're in KL.

If you're applying from overseas there's no problem with sending-in the application via DHL. But it's probably worthwhile to at least take a look at Joy-Stay's semi-DIY plan.

Having recently sold my place in Portugal, and what with getting stuff shipped over here, and other things, I've had to make quite a few decisions about what I can DIY, and what I need/prefer to off-load and pay for, or just let go and forget.

I would have preferred to DIY the shipment, as suggested by DannyB, but it was too much to do at the time. I sold the place without using a solicitor, and without an estate agent, so there was quite a bit of DIY anyway.

I'd try and look at the MM2H application in the context of everything else.

regards, Scott

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That's good news for many looks like there're some new changes, highlighted below ....I could be wrong as I haven't checked the Motour Site for some time.

Note this:http://www.mm2h.gov.my/apply.php



1. Effective 9 January, 2009 individuals may apply to participate in MM2H programme directly, without going through any other third party OR may apply through MM2H agents licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.

2. Effective 9 January, 2009 there will be a freeze on issuance of MM2H agent licenses by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.
   
New Application
All applicants who wish to apply to stay in Malaysia under Malaysia My Second Home Programme must submit the following documents:
Documents

1 Letter of Application (Cover Letter from applicant)
   A current (dated) resume of the main applicant;

2 One (1) copy of MM2H Application Form - can be downloaded from the MM2H website;

Note: Applicant and all the dependents have to complete the form individually.

3 Three (3) copies of IM.12 Form (Social Visit Pass);
   one (1) original copy - can be downloaded from MM2H website/purchase at Immigration Department
   Two (2) photostat copies.

Note: Applicant and all the dependents have to complete the form individually.

4 Four (4) coloured passport size photographs:

5 Personal bond (Regulation 18) * must be completed and signed by Malaysian who is one of the Board of Directors/Shares Holders/ Managing Director/ Manager from the appointed MM2h licensed company);
   The Personal Bond must be stamped by The Stamping Office

Note: A Personal Bond is to be made for each applicant and dependent.

6 Copy of Passport/Travel documents (all pages) with certification on the pages with personal particulars;

7 Certified copy of Marriage Certificate (if applicable)

8 Certified copy of Divorce Certicate/ Death Certificate/ Separation Document/ related legal documents (if applicable for verficaiton of marital status of applicant);

9 Certified copy of Birth Certificate (if accompanied by children);
Letter of Confirmation from Medical Specialist/ General Practitioner (if accompanied by disabled children above 18 years old);

10 Certified copy of related documents (if accompanied by adopted children/ step children);

11. Certified copy (s) of latest 3 months bank statement / other related financial document (s) to indicate the financial capability to support stay in Malaysia;

12. Latest 3 months certified copies of pay slip/ pension slip/ income statement etc;
Note

1. All copies must be certified TRUE COPIES OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS by EMBASSY / HIGH COMMISSION/ SOLICITOR/ JUSTICE OF PEACE/ NOTARY PUBLIC/ COMMISIONER FOR OATHS / GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL

2. Qualified translator must translate all supporting documents into English (where original documents are not in English)

3. Dependents refer to children aged below 18 years old and not married.

4. Participants from selected countries who are entering Malaysia with Tourist Social Visit Pass prior to approval of Malaysia My Second Home programme are required to pay for Journey Performed Visa (JP) (RM500) . The payment should be made to Immigration Department Putrajaya before they get endorsement of Malaysia My Second Home Sticker in their passport.

5. The processing and approval process will take 4 weeks from the date of submission of the application (provided the documentation is complete)
6. Applicaiton above 50 years old who wish to stay in Sabah/Sarawak, should forward the application directly to the Director State Immigration Department of Sabah/Sarawak.

7. Copy of Passport/Travel documents (all pages) with certification on the pages with personal particulars;

Note: Copy of previous passport is required if applicant has renewed his/her in less than one year.

.

A. Sabah
Department of Immigration, Sabah
Aras 1-4, Block B,
Kompleks Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan Sabah,
Jalan Sulaman,
88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Tel : +6088– 807000
Fax : +6088– 240005

 

B. Sarawak
ONE STOP AGENCY
Public Relations,
ICT Unit and Sarawak / Malaysia My Second Home Programme "One Stop Agency"
Ministry of Urban Development & Tourism
Level 2, Bangunan Baitulmakmur,
Medan Raya, Petra Jaya,
93050 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
 
Tel : +6082 319313 / 309
Fax : +6082 441277 / 5311
Email : carolcty@sarawaknet.gov.my

BB

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I am at KLIA now waiting for return flight to US.  What great news to see me off!  Like to think all of us who have been fighting for this option have had our efforts pay off...Kudos to all..Jim (jr6020)

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Appying without an Agent, looks like we will still have to pay for the services of an Agent in order to secure the Sponsor formality.  For those who DIY'd (like Scott), how did you overcome this requirement?

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I did the DIY thing in 2002 & renewed again 6 months ago.

The sponsor bit is a bit more tricky if you are coming in from abroad, and I don't have a solution, (maybe this is the 'quid pro quo' that keeps the Agents happy).

Davison et. al. will whine because they went to the trouble of setting up a setting a 'specific company' to 'assist' MM2Hers!

Having worked here for 3 years before I joined MM2H, I got a 'friendly Company person' to be my sponsor!

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hi,

For those who DIY'd (like Scott), how did you overcome this requirement?

Before agents became compulsory, the sponsor could be any Malaysian citizen.

Maybe it is (as FCS posts) Quid pro Quo for giving a bit back to DIY applicants yet still keeping something for agents. Or maybe it's a lack of thought and following through on the implications of the change.

We'll have to wait and see how it all pans out.

Personal Bond (Regulation 18) * must be completed and signed by Malaysian who is one of the Board of Directors/Shares Holders/ Managing Director/ Manager from the appointed MM2h licensed company). The Personal Bond must be stamped by The Stamping Office.

I have emailed MoTour on this issue and I'm waiting for a response.

regards, Scott