Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 259 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Home Country: malaysia
Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:15 pm Post subject: Some guidelines for Spouse Program applications
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
Last edited by Immigration Consultant on Wed May 25, 2005 8:19 pm; edited 3 times in total
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 8:00 am Post subject: Re: Some guidelines for Spouse Program applications
i am Malaysian married with a portuguese guy. i am glad to know that foreigners married to malaysian can stay for 6 months to 1 year in malaysia(Long Term Social Visit). You mention that besides the spouse program, within the lenght of time that been given, the husband can try to find a normal permit of working by himself. the question is, does the working permit based on contract job only? if no, i mean if the husband get a permanent job with some company, can the husband apply the nationality after staying in Malaysia for let say 10 years based the requirement that needed by the government to apply the malaysia nationality?
Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 259 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Home Country: malaysia
Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2004 9:48 am Post subject:
Dear vernando,
Do not confuse nationality (citizenship) and Permanent Resident.
As mentioned, "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."
As for the mentioned "permanent job" issue, I do not see what you mean. Any job offer your husband will receive must be supported by a letter of offer followed by an employment contract, whether the applicant is shareholder or not. So there is no such thing as permanent job.
Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 5:23 am Post subject: permanent job
Dear Immigration Consultant, what i mean with the permanent job is, where the foreigners been working contract for 2 years. after the 2 years contract, the company decide to hire the foreigners as a permanent worker. do you mean that permanent job is not offer for foreigners? do you mean that malaysia do not have a permanent job for malaysian? Thank You Very Much
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 1:23 pm Post subject: about social pass for spouse " male
Immigration Consultant wrote:
If you mean a contract with unspecified length, yes of course any employer can issue such contract.
But the immigration will not issue a PR only based on the fact that the applicant has signed an employment contract with no specified length.
dear Immigration Consultant
i want to ask you !!! can i get social pass for 1 year ???
i was in malaysia few months ago and i couldn't renew my social pass ..
if i can do that now !!! how i do that ?? .. my wife now live in malaysia and i live in another country
thanks
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 1:52 am Post subject: Certificate of Status
Hello Immg.Consultant!
i'd Like to ask a suggestion, i have got my "Perakuan taraf" That was issued from KL , Im in India Right now, How can i come to Malaysia?
Shall I get any further assistent or Pass from Malaysian Mission in India?
and whats this?Please Explain.
Thanx
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 5:22 am Post subject: Re: Some guidelines for Spouse Program applications
PLEASE FOCUS YR READING ABOUT THE SOCIAL VISIT PASS BY THE ADMIN AND IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT: IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN THEY GIVE CONTRADICT STATEMENT, ADMIN SAID THAT FOREIGNERS WHO IS HOLDING A SOCIAL VISIT PASS CANNOT TAKE EMPLOYMENT, AND IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT SAID GIVEN 6 MONTHS OR 1 YEAR TO SETTLE AND FIND A JOB IN MALAYSIA. (CORRECT ME IF I MISUNDERSTAND ABOUT THIS STATEMENT). ANYBODY HAVE ANY EXPLANATION ABOUT THIS?
THIS IS FROM ADMIN, POSTED 19 JANUARY 2004, 1.32 PM.
Hi everybody,
Here is a short brief about visa requirements in Malaysia, should you have more specific question to ask to our immigration consultant, please do so at : contact@alloexpat.com or by posting a message in our forum.
Enjoy your stay in Malaysia
Allo Expat Management
Allo Expat Sdn Bhd
Level 16, Menara KUB.com
Jalan Yap Kwan Seng
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
All persons entering Malaysia must possess valid national passports or other internationally recognised travel documents valid for travel to Malaysia. These passports or travel documents must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into Malaysia.
Commonwealth citizens (except for India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), British protected persons or citizens of the Republic of Ireland and citizens of Switzerland, the Netherlands, San Marino and Liechtenstein do not need a visa to enter Malaysia.
Citizens of certain countries which include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, Italy, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America do not require a visa for a visit not exceeding three months.
Citizens of European Countries, Baltic and Commonwealth of Independent States, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Romania and Syria do not need a visa for a visit not exceeding two weeks.
Citizens of North Korea, Cuba, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the People’s Republic of China and holders of Hong Kong Certificate of Identify, Myanmar and Taiwan are allowed to enter Malaysia subject to their application for a visa being approved.
Application for Visas
Application for visas for the purpose of entry into Malaysia should be made at the nearest Malaysian mission abroad. In countries where Malaysian missions have not been established, applications should be submitted to the nearest British High Commission or Embassy.
Entry into Malaysia
Passes to be Obtained at Point of Entry - a visit pass for the purpose of a social, tourist or business visit may be obtained at the point of entry if the visitor can satisfy the immigration authority at the point of entry that he has a valid passport and visa (wherever applicable).
Visit Pass (Social or Tourist)
Visit passes (social or tourist) are issued solely for the purpose of a social or tourist visit. A person who has been issued with a social or tourist visit pass is not permitted to take up employment, business or professional work while in Malaysia.
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: http://www.alloexpat.com/malaysia_expat_forum/viewtopic.php?t=202 ).
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.
Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 259 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Home Country: malaysia
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 9:58 am Post subject: Re: about social pass for spouse " male
a7 wrote:
dear Immigration Consultant
i want to ask you !!! can i get social pass for 1 year ???
i was in malaysia few months ago and i couldn't renew my social pass ..
if i can do that now !!! how i do that ?? .. my wife now live in malaysia and i live in another country
thanks
What was the reason given by the immigration for them not to renew your social pass? And when did it happen?
Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 259 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Home Country: malaysia
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Certificate of Status
netty wrote:
Hello Immg.Consultant!
i'd Like to ask a suggestion, i have got my "Perakuan taraf" That was issued from KL , Im in India Right now, How can i come to Malaysia?
Shall I get any further assistent or Pass from Malaysian Mission in India?
and whats this?Please Explain.
Thanx
It is an authorization of status. If you processed for a work permit, it may mean that you can send your passport for endorsement.
We will not be able to assist you on this, as the easiest way will for you to check either with the people who handled your application (employer or consultants) or with the Malaysian embassy in India.
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