Gender: Age: 37 Zodiac: Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 2
Home Country: brunei
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:44 am Post subject: Re: Some guidelines for Spouse Program applications
I'm currently working under employment pass valid til April 2009. I plan to switch job and would like to know the procedure of applying for a new employment pass and would it be acceptable if I could submit a letter of release from my current company and a letter of offer from the new company who is going to hire me. Please advise. Thanks.
Immigration Consultant wrote:
As a foreigner married to Malaysian, one may choose between different types of applications whether he/she needs to work in Malaysia or not.
If working here is not an issue, one can either choose between a Long Term Social Visit pass now given for 6 months or one year to all foreigners married to Malaysians. But although it is given automatically, it can get difficult to renew. Therefore, for those who can afford putting the sufficient amount of money into a fixed deposit, the Malaysia My Second Home program is recommended, as it is given on a 5 years visa basis (more information here ).
On the other hand, if you are planning to work in Malaysia, you may either choose between the Spouse Program and a normal work permit. But better make the right decision right from the start as it is almost impossible to convert an Employment Pass from the Spouse Program (which is actually endorsed as a Social Pass) to a conventional Working Permit.
Any foreigner married to a Malaysian will be issued a Long Term Social Visit given for 6 months or one year in order to take the time to settle down in Malaysia and find a work. It is then possible to apply for the Spouse Program after receiving a letter of offer willing to sponsor for the application. The program will then entitle to a social pass given on a yearly basis.
The only requirement by right is the letter of offer from a Malaysian company that the applicant is supposed to hold beforehand. The immigration does not judge the skills of the applicant, the position to be taken in the company or the salary to be drawn. However, the paid-up capital of the company hiring the applicant can sometimes be an issue. A paid-up capital of RM250,000 will guarantee a successful application, but depending on the amount of shares held by Malaysian, such requirement can be void and a RM2 paid-up capital company can entitle a foreigner married to Malaysian to work under the Spouse Program.
Then, if any need to change company occurs, the applicant just needs to inform the immigration about the new company. But although no cooling period will be required to undergo, a release letter will facilitate the new application.
The Spouse Program does not guarantee a successful Permanent Resident application, although it helps qualifying after 5 years living in Malaysia and being married to Malaysian. The PR application is given at the sole discretion of the Ministry of Home affairs.
In conclusion, the Spouse Program does not offer as much independence and advantages as a normal Work Permit/Employment Pass can do. For example, under this program, the immigration does not entitle the applicant to the expatriate’s gold card that help transiting faster at the immigration gate in the airport. It is also to be renewed on a yearly basis when a Work permit is given for two years and as it is endorsed as a Social Pass on the passport, JPJ does not deliver any Malaysian driving license.
On the other hand, the process is made faster than for a normal Work Permit application and the requirements are less restrictive. But again, better think twice before processing, as it will then be difficult to switch to a normal Work Permit.
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:13 am Post subject: Re: Some guidelines for Spouse Program applications
Immigration Consultant wrote:
As a foreigner married to Malaysian, one may choose between different types of applications whether he/she needs to work in Malaysia or not.
If working here is not an issue, one can either choose between a Long Term Social Visit pass now given for 6 months or one year to all foreigners married to Malaysians. But although it is given automatically, it can get difficult to renew. Therefore, for those who can afford putting the sufficient amount of money into a fixed deposit, the Malaysia My Second Home program is recommended, as it is given on a 5 years visa basis (more information here ).
On the other hand, if you are planning to work in Malaysia, you may either choose between the Spouse Program and a normal work permit. But better make the right decision right from the start as it is almost impossible to convert an Employment Pass from the Spouse Program (which is actually endorsed as a Social Pass) to a conventional Working Permit.
Any foreigner married to a Malaysian will be issued a Long Term Social Visit given for 6 months or one year in order to take the time to settle down in Malaysia and find a work. It is then possible to apply for the Spouse Program after receiving a letter of offer willing to sponsor for the application. The program will then entitle to a social pass given on a yearly basis.
The only requirement by right is the letter of offer from a Malaysian company that the applicant is supposed to hold beforehand. The immigration does not judge the skills of the applicant, the position to be taken in the company or the salary to be drawn. However, the paid-up capital of the company hiring the applicant can sometimes be an issue. A paid-up capital of RM250,000 will guarantee a successful application, but depending on the amount of shares held by Malaysian, such requirement can be void and a RM2 paid-up capital company can entitle a foreigner married to Malaysian to work under the Spouse Program.
Then, if any need to change company occurs, the applicant just needs to inform the immigration about the new company. But although no cooling period will be required to undergo, a release letter will facilitate the new application.
The Spouse Program does not guarantee a successful Permanent Resident application, although it helps qualifying after 5 years living in Malaysia and being married to Malaysian. The PR application is given at the sole discretion of the Ministry of Home affairs.
In conclusion, the Spouse Program does not offer as much independence and advantages as a normal Work Permit/Employment Pass can do. For example, under this program, the immigration does not entitle the applicant to the expatriate’s gold card that help transiting faster at the immigration gate in the airport. It is also to be renewed on a yearly basis when a Work permit is given for two years and as it is endorsed as a Social Pass on the passport, JPJ does not deliver any Malaysian driving license.
On the other hand, the process is made faster than for a normal Work Permit application and the requirements are less restrictive. But again, better think twice before processing, as it will then be difficult to switch to a normal Work Permit.
Immigration Consultant
@llo' expat
Dear Consultant,
I would like to bring to your attention that they have a rule that spouse of Malaysian is not eligible for the MM2H program. Please refer to this website for new ruling (I assumed because it was not there before) - http://www.mm2h.gov.my/
Gender: Age: 38 Zodiac: Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Posts: 1
Home Country: india
Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject: Changes in Procedures ?
Dear Immigration Consultant;
I am a foreign spouse to Malaysian Citizen; I hold Employment Pass under Spouse Program since past six years;
I heard that, on, 26th Nov 08, IMM department implemented some changes in the renewal (also new application) procedures for Spouse Program applicants; Could you please let me know if this is true and also let me know the proposed changes in procedures;
I very frequently visit this site and obtain very useful information; Kindly provide me the information again;
Gender: Age: 35 Zodiac: Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Posts: 4
Home Country: malaysia
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:47 pm Post subject:
Dear Immigration consultant,
can i check whether i can apply Long term social visit pass for my children thru the immigration nearby my hometown or I need to apply thru the State immigration at Johor Bahru?
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