MM2H applicants who are married to Malaysians

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The Star

Letter to the editor
Monday November 10, 2008

Malaysia unfair to some expats


MALAYSIA My Second Home (MM2H) is a good programme to attract retired expatriates to Malaysia. But one group of people is
excluded — people who are married to Malaysians.

I met my Malaysian wife in London in 1989, and we were married in 1991. We have twin sons.

In 1993, we decided to try Malaysia for two or three years. We worked as management consultants until around 2000.

She had been a chartered accountant, and I had worked in the IT industry. In 2001, we decided to retire early.

We bought a condominium in Ipoh, where some of my in-laws live, then returned to Britain and bought a house in Scotland.

We planned to spend our retirement split between Scotland and Malaysia, with some added travel.

However, in 2002, I suffered a stroke and was treated in Britain and eventually sought alternative treatments such as
reflexology and acupuncture were available in Malaysia.

We finally decided to buy a place of our own in Kuala Lumpur.

I have a Malaysian wife, two Malaysian sons, two homes in Malaysia, plus a home in Scotland, yet I am ineligible for MM2H.
I am sure I am not the only person caught in this bind.

I have had to visit Immigration and renew my visa every six months.

A three-monthly visit to Phuket is more pleasurable than a six-monthly visit to Immigration.


BILL PETER,

Kuala Lumpur.

Source
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/11/10/focus/2503571&sec=focus

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hi,

The official MM2H site says that folks married to Malaysians are not eligible (or it used to, haven't checked for some time).

There is however nothing that I've spotted on the MM2H site about MM2H visa holders subsequently marrying a Malaysian. Perhaps a member has direct experience or knows about this? However, the moral seems to be MM2H first, marriage second.

And just to note : the 3 month visa can be extended for a 4th month.

regards, Scott

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I may be facing this dilemma soon.  I do not want to lose my MM2H visa if my Malaysian GF and I marry.  Davidson's site has a few postings from current MM2H visa holders who later got married and were able to renew under the same conditions they applied under as singles.  So, Scott appears to be right when he says "MM2H first, marriage second."  If anyone out there has other info, please share...Jim (jr6020) 

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Hi Jim,

From the Motour website

Foreigners who are married to Malaysians are not eligible for MM2H programme but may apply to stay in Malaysia under the Immigration Department's "Spouse Programme" with a Long Term Social Visit Pass (please refer to website http://www.imi.gov.my ).

I have asked Motour to clarify the position regarding a single man on the program who later marries a Malaysian. I would think that this is quite common as single men over here are quite likely to be attracted to Malaysian ladies. I will let you know when motour responds as I am sure they will. My own feelings are that the visa would be valid until renewal and thereafter be disallowed.

Could I ask everyone to make a concerted effort to put questions before motour via feedback on their website. On previous occasions I have found them very helpful. If we build up enough steam on a particular issue I would hope they bring it before their steering committee. My particular interest is being able to do a little work whilst I am here.

Bob

Regards

Bob

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Bob,
Point taken.  I have written MOT recently regarding the no agent option rumors flying about.  I also inquired (again) about the status of the MM2H identity cards.  My last 2 emails have been ignored.  Regarding the MM2H and marriage, I did not want to give MOT any idea about my plans so I thought it best to raise the issue on this site instead...Jim (jr6020)

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Looks like 'your cover has been blown'  jr

My guess (and I would bet a lot of my few remaining pounds on it)  is that if your already on MM2H as a single man, and later you marry a gorgeous young Malaysian lady; when it come to renewal, you will be allowed to renew as a single man...no questions asked....why should there be? You don't have to produce a 'Singles Certificate' or any such thing on renewal.

Why am I so 'cock sure confident'?
Because my mate qualified before the rule was changed, and his Malaysian wife was his sponsor! On renewal recently he was just treated as a single guy, and his wife was ignored like she didn't exist.

Hope you can sleep easier now

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hi,

I think that there are some anomalies that are best left undisturbed. If any government isn't bothered to cross the t's and dot the i's, and ensure that the whole works, then I'm not going to point it out. I'm just going to use my commonsense, and if that happens to be in my favour, well, it's only fair isn't it.

regards, Scott

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Hello :
My name is Celine A .. my boyfriend has decided in MM2H after his retirement. I am wondering if we could start up a small biz here. ..( cafe )
i am not sure if its a good idea.
he also mentioned that there is a similar concept with MM2H.
pls advice.

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Hi Celine, and welcome to the site.

The rules for MM2H participation are in the throes of change, and what you suggest may indeed be possible. However no detail has been published yet, so it would only be speculation to comment further.

There are some recent topics on this forum which touch on the proposed changes, which you might find helpful. Please feel free to browse at your leisure