As you may already know we successfully applied for and collected our MM2H visas in Penang in December 2006. This was just in time to avoid having to go through KL. As my passport was due to expire in May 2010, we were only given three years, that is to December this year.
We normally spend only six months each year in Malaysia, arriving this year on 23rd October. When we arrived we were only given permit to stay until the expiry of the MM2H visa, that is until 5th December. So we had to organise a new passport and visa extension right away.
Phase 1 Passport Renewal
Passport renewal in Penang can be handled by the Honorary British Consulate in Northam Tower on Kelawei Road (car park entrance on Jalan Perak). They have the application forms available or an internet downloaded form will do. As the photo requirements are very strict, I asked if they knew of a photographer who had experience with British passport photos and they recommended Lam Long Photo House on 3rd floor of Gurney Plaza. This was done on Thursday our day of arrival in Malaysia, so my photo looks dreadful!
Next step was to get a bank draft for RM 739 which includes RM10 return postage. The consulate also charges RM6 (cash only) to send by Pos Laju to KL. This was done on Friday.
After a weekend recovering from the journey, on Monday we visited our lawyer to have the form and photo countersigned. Then to the consul to present the application. This was on 26th October. On 11th November they called to say the passport was ready for collection. They quote a ten day turnaround plus postal times.
Phase 2 MM2h Visa Extension
Yesterday we crossed over the bridge to Penang Imigresen, not really expecting to complete the process immediately. However we did take two copies of IM 12 form with two photos each and the Fixed Deposit receipt along with old and new passports. At the visa section on the 2nd floor at counter no.1 we were given somewhat conflicting information, but the officer did tell us to photocopy the pages of the two passports with the MM2H visa and the personal details page on all three. We did all this at the photocopy shop outside the building and included a copy of the fixed deposit for good measure.
When we went back upstairs the same officer gave us a number and we had a short wait to see a lady who understood that we did not just want my visa that expired in December to be transferred to my new passport, but wanted the extension to ten years. Of course now my wife's passport does not have enough validity, so we got 6 years more on top of the 3 we already have. When she produced our file it clearly showed that we have been given 10 years now, not the 5 years that was the rule when we first applied.
She then asked if we could pay the RM1080 fee there and then. We had not prepared a bank draft, but apparently cash was acceptable. I had visited an ATM before setting off, but there is a Maybank ATM at the office. After a while we were called to Counter 9 to pay and were handed a receipt. After another wait we were called again and handed our passports with the new visa valid till December 2015. The original photos are on the extension, so they returned one set to us. The whole process probably took about an hour.
We "celebrated" our success by a visit to Carrefour (first time) which is nearby, where I bought a couple of 4 Ringgit T Shirts and had a tasty Laksa for lunch at the food court.
Alistair
Topic: Renewal of UK Passport and extension of MM2H Visa in Penang (Read 1018 times)
July 03, 2010, 04:47:55 PM