Recommending Agents (Sponsors) for MM2H Program in Penang

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Couldn't agree more Mary. 

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Choice of agent is best done by the recommendations from people that have used them. And there are plenty on this forum.

If I had it to do again I would use the semi-diy option.

Bob

Agree with that and I meant to put semi-diy (not diy) oops.  And I should point out that I am already retired to those that don't know.

Mary - I know exactly what you are saying.  Things are very different if you are already retired rather than still on the work treadmill.  I know 'cause we had all that juggling to do a couple of years ago - trying to organise a visa while still running a business - and it's pretty stressful, isn't it.  And you've got a long commute to Malaysia too.  At least we were only moving Singapore to Thailand, which isn't so far.

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Again, I couldn't agree with you more Mary.

We used the same Agent and at that time you HAD to use an agent.  We were in Spain at the time and OK 8000 RM is not cheap but I feel we got a quality service and a complete hassle free application experience.  I do not consider we paid 'over the top' for the service we received.

The decision to use an Agent is no different to any other 'purchase' decision.  Some people walk, some take a bus, some drive  and some are driven ...................  the cost of each is very different in both time, money & stress.   

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Looks like most of us are saying the same thing.
I have to add that, had we not been living/working in Malaysia and were familiar with all the things papaya mentioned esp the bureaucracy and the need for unnecessary visits because the powers that be were not clear regarding the essential information, then we would have most likely gone down the Agent route.

As I said before and I know Scott would agree, we are not back with the ideal scenario and that is "A Choice". Horses for Courses and all that!

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Mary, my only point is I believe you overpaid for the agent.   How many folks who have used an agent paid 8000RM or more?  Letting others know there are cheaper options (and agents) is a service to those who are thinking about the process.  The more information applicants have will assure they make the best/wisest/most economical choices...Jim       

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hi,

Alter Domus is a well-known Penang agent. Most agents seem to charge between RM6,000 and RM8,000. Some of them offer rebates, or incentives, such as paying the visa fees.

If anyone CHOOSES to use AlterDomus then it's their own affair.

Let's be fair here, anything below the government-set limit of RM10,000 cannot be labelled "overcharge."

If I fly SIA between Singapore and KL the charge will be S$235. If I fly a budget airline I can probably get away with RM50 max. It doesn't mean that SIA overcharges, it means there are different options and I am making a choice.

The same thing happens with MM2H. The charges by agents have generally been displayed on this forum for the past 2 years. 

I asked Mary how much Alter Domus charged because I wanted to add to the information on this site. I did not intend for it to become a "freedom of choice" issue. 

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A good analogy given by Scott. We applied when you did not need an agent and we did it ourselves. As I have said previously it really was such a simple procedure. However, we were in KL at the time which clearly makes it easier. If you are overseas applying it might well be beneficial to use an agent.

In stark contrast; we have applied for PR in Australia - now that is what I would call difficult- it makes applying for MM2H a cake walk! We have filled in enough forms to use half of the Brazilian rain forest, police clearances from half the countries in the world, $A750,000 deposit in a Federal fund, full blown medicals, and still not got it yet!!! Thinking about giving it up and going back to Malaysia.

Cheers

Brian

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hi,

Hey, Brian, that sound like one long application for Australia. A$750,000 deposit,     Come on back, and spend the money.

The idea of "recommending agents" brings up the point : should this site recommend any agents anyway?
(that is, just have those agents who list on this site as this is conditional on disclosing charges and there's no recommendation only a listing).

And if anyone recommends an agent then that recommendation should (in fairness, I suppose) include charges.   

Any comments on this dilemma are welcome. 

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I do not think the "site" should recommend agents but individuals can

However you Scott and the mods should not as you are, are/seen as the "site"

In my opinion this site is very very slightly against the idea of agents, but that is not a bad thing in my opinion

Cheers

JJ

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Really, Scott, just because the Governmenet says 10000RM is not an "overcharge" the argument is settled?  That's 2840USD! Considering I paid nothing to do the application myself that $2480 is one hell of an overcharge.  You more than anyone know how the agents fought like hell to keep the DIY option out of the application process so they can charge what they think they can get away with.  Those who want the agent should try and negotiate the fee and use the DIY option as a bargaining chip...Just my 2 cents worth...Jim     

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Hi,

Just thought l might contribute my 2 cents worth.
I am using AlterDomus and l will be getting my passport endosed early Sept.  I have found them very professional and helpful, all there fees are listed on the web site, and l do believe that there is a family member who is a retired immigration officer.
Living in Australia l found that paying for some one to do all the work was the easiest option, as l do not know how the government system, proceedures work.  In Australia it would be a breeze for me to do it, but in another country l happy to pass on this task to a professional.

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I do not think the "site" should recommend agents but individuals can
JJ

I agree and I have never said who my agent was, just that our experience was not great.

I hope that the agent listing is useful to forum members purely as a reference. If agents are unwilling to post their details then that is a missed opportunity for them.

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I agree and I have never said who my agent was, just that our experience was not great.

Aww g'wan tell us who it was 

Seriously though.... personally I'm finding all the recommendations, non-recommendations of interest.  If we go ahead, I think I know which route and with whom we shall go - and I think you really do need to tailor for your own needs.  Some are working, some are not, some many miles from Malaysia, some not so far, some with bags of money to spend 

Re site recommendation/Scott recommendations, personally I've found that useful too but can appreciate that some might be thinking "mmm, is there something in it for Scott/for the site?".

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hi,

Re site recommendation/Scott recommendations, personally I've found that useful too but can appreciate that some might be thinking "mmm, is there something in it for Scott/for the site?".

Is Sum Might related to Sum Say, and his little brother Sum Fine Day? 

This site is good fun, entertaining and keeps me busy.

I've never asked for kick-backs (and some folks can't believe this) as I don't want any. Freedom to post whatever I like is priceless. There are too many rent seekers in the world who would sell their own grandmothers for some easy commission money. I'm proud not to be one of them. That's what I want on my gravestone. But not yet.

I remember a few years back on Alloexpat (cheapest agent thread) when Poly-Travels was doing applications for US$350 (RM1250). Poly-Travels did not give a refund for a refusal, because they didn't want any "try-it-on" time wasters.

Boy, were some folks on the thread upset over this seeming "pull-a-fast-one" trick. They preferred to pay RM6,000 to any other agent that offered to charge only RM800 administrative fee in case of rejection.

That's paying RM4,750 more for the application to save RM450 in case of rejection. I only put this in to show that different folks see things in different ways. One way isn't necessarily  better than another, only different.

However, IMHO, it's a matter of choice, not judgement, and that's the nice thing. And today there's plenty of choice.

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We only paid Yvonne from joy stay after she was satisfied with all documents. And she gives a money back guarantee if you are not approved.