Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)

Groovy16 wrote:

My post was in response to “how long does it take to complete checking the paperwork, not How long does it take to get the visa”

By the way I submitted my application on 6th of March and received the approval letter on 1st May. So it’s not far off! Not to mention that The Director’s position was vacant for almost 4 weeks, so once new Director appointed then they cleared all the file. So again my understanding is that if the Director were in place probably I would have get my approval letter within 8 weeks.

I can only speak from my experience.

hi ... do you mean you applied MM2H on 6 March 2019 and got MM2H visa (ie approved) on 1 May 2019? ... if yes, that is incredible.

Fareed53 wrote:

Hi , finally I got the approval letter (I submitted my file on December 2017).
I want to know which bank is better to open fixed deposite  acc and has a good intrest rate?
Thank you

hi ... did MM2H check your employer of your income proof etc? ... if yes, such checking is how many weeks/month(s) before you got the visa?

thanks a lot

beleebala wrote:

I applied for West Malaysia in Sep 2018... still pending for committee approval.

hi ... you are from Hong Kong? ... if yes, applied through agent? .... you should have been approved or rejected as you have applied for 1 year

thanks

idiotbd wrote:

A reply from MM2H to my query today: "The processing of MM2H application is 120 days. However, the period may be extended if there is a security concern regarding your application."

To my knowledge no one over the past several years who have applied for MM2H has received approval in 120 days. Even before the suspension the waiting time was 5-8 months. After the suspension it was one year. And even when the suspension was lifted it was taking 8-9 months. We're all these applicants "security concerns"?

In my view this is something of an insult to applicants. When you say that they are "security concerns" it's like saying that you are "not welcome" or perhaps that someone in the home country or in Malaysia is making false aspersions about you.

Of course the real reason for those delays had little to do with security...they just don't want to take responsibility for a major screw up that has damaged the reputation of the program by introducing an unnecessary suspension, causing a major logjam for applications, which they still have not figured out how to clear.

Employees sat around and did nothing for months, now they are overwhelmed, and should receive additional staff tasked to speed things up. The "Committee" should meet more regularly or be streamlined  or be split in two EACH with the responsibility to clear the same amount of applications (as the combined committee) as before the suspension. Find out at which juncture the delays are coming from and appoint additional staff to resolve that slow down.

And they need to continue this pace even for several months after they have reached the goal. Staff should not be reduced until months afterwards, and a system of recalling help be available to when more than 10% of applications take more than 3 months to approve.

cinnamonape wrote:

idiotbd wrote:

A reply from MM2H to my query today: "The processing of MM2H application is 120 days. However, the period may be extended if there is a security concern regarding your application."

To my knowledge no one over the past several years who have applied for MM2H has received approval in 120 days. Even before the suspension the waiting time was 5-8 months. After the suspension it was one year. And even when the suspension was lifted it was taking 8-9 months. We're all these applicants "security concerns"?

In my view this is something of an insult to applicants. When you say that they are "security concerns" it's like saying that you are "not welcome" or perhaps that someone in the home country or in Malaysia is making false aspersions about you.

Of course the real reason for those delays had little to do with security...they just don't want to take responsibility for a major screw up that has damaged the reputation of the program by introducing an unnecessary suspension, causing a major logjam for applications, which they still have not figured out how to clear.

Employees sat around and did nothing for months, now they are overwhelmed, and should receive additional staff tasked to speed things up. The "Committee" should meet more regularly or be streamlined  or be split in two EACH with the responsibility to clear the same amount of applications (as the combined committee) as before the suspension. Find out at which juncture the delays are coming from and appoint additional staff to resolve that slow down.

And they need to continue this pace even for several months after they have reached the goal. Staff should not be reduced until months afterwards, and a system of recalling help be available to when more than 10% of applications take more than 3 months to approve.

don't understand "and a system of recalling help be available to when more than 10% of applications take more than 3 months to approve." ... approval only takes 3 months???

don't understand "and a system of recalling help be available to when more than 10% of applications take more than 3 months to approve." ... approval only takes 3 months???

No -it takes a year now...it used to take 4 months some years ago. Then it crept upward...then jumped up to a year as a result of the suspension. My suggestion is that should be the GOAL.

Even when it was 4 months this was largely because the "Committee" only met once a month.

My suggestion is to set a goal of 3 months...if you can't reach a a 90% goal for that keep on extra staff and require more approval sessions (rather than once monthly) until you do achieve it. Or one can reorganize things so that approval comes from staff, rather than the directors sitting around looking at everyone's application, bank records, checking for Israeli stamps in the passports, blue background for the passport photos, etc. etc. These checks have already been done. Or task someone to make approvals when the file and checks are complete. Waiting around for a meeting adds another month and if they don't get through the whole stack...it's another month for those to be approved (if they get anywhere near the bottom on that stack).

1openmind wrote:

No it was the mainland. Took 10 months. Maybe Sarawak later??

It's probably not your intention, but for completeness I would mention that it's not permitted to hold Sarawak and Peninsular MM2H passes concurrently - you'd have to give one up.

Gravitas wrote:

I think it's in Menara Dion (right by monorail Station Raja Chulan) about 21st floor. But doublecheck. You need a security pass from the reception desk at ground floor and must give them some kind of ID card for safe keeping. I use a driving licence usually. Take your passport and mm2h letter as you will need them..Offer to pick up your policy document when convenient and provide a phone number they can call you on when it's ready. If you just give the full street address without mentioning hotel or serviced apartments it will probably work.

All their policies and prices are online but ask if they have a mm2h policy. It may just be their cheapest mini policy.

Hello Gravitas,  I just received email notification from MM2H office that my application has been approved :

"We are pleased to inform that your application has been APPROVED. You may wish to collect this approval letter at the Immigration Unit, Malaysia My Second Home Centre, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, Precint 5, 62200 Putrajaya upon your visa endorsement."

Will any documents related to the approval be sent to me through post mail (so that I can bring this documents to MM2H center to collect the approval letter) ?

Another question is for the medical insurance. If I plan to relocate to KL 3 years later, so after joining medical insurance for the 1st year in order to get the 10 year visa endorsement and actually I don't stay in Malaysia, do I still need to join the medical insurance every year afterwards ?    (I will stay in my home country Taiwan and have the national medical protection, and so I don't need extra medical insurance in Malaysia)

Thanks
Terry

cinnamonape wrote:

I know you directed this at Gravitas but I'll take a stab about the insurance question.

Once you receive your visa, I wouldn't think they'd check your insurance status subsequently.  However the situation might be raised upon renewal. You could run into problems if they require you to have insurance in a decade. Your rates would be lower if you had continued your health care insurance...but likely not if you consider the cumulative cost of paying premiums over that time. As well, there is a provision currently that if you cannot obtain affordable insurance they may not require you to have it...provided you are willing to pay "over-the-counter" costs.

BTW check your provisional letter of acceptance...does it require that you have insurance? If it does it would be reasonable to have coverage (or try to obtain it) maybe 1 year before you renew.  Letting it lapse and not having it when you renew could be a red-flag.

Hello Cinnamonape,  I have the following questions :
1) "However the situation might be raised upon renewal", do you mean the renewal of visa 10 years later?
2) "provided you are willing to pay over-the-counter costs.", is it means that I can instead pay certain amount of money at the immigration department counter to replace the health insurance  when I apply for the visa with bank deposit and health check documents ?
3) "check your provisional letter of acceptance...does it require that you have insurance?", you means that I will receive a provisional letter of acceptance by post to my home address in Taiwan within 1 or 2 weeks and this will be the evidence to collect approval letter at MM2H center when I travel to KL ?
4) " it would be reasonable to have coverage (or try to obtain it) maybe 1 year before you renew. ",  "renew" means the visa renewal 10 years later ?
Thanks
Terry

schlee1231 wrote:

Hello Cinnamonape,  I have the following questions :
1) "However the situation might be raised upon renewal", do you mean the renewal of visa 10 years later?

Yes. I don't think they would review your insurance situation until you renew. You get insurance...go off it at some point...they wouldn't check again until you try and renew.

schlee1231 wrote:

2) "provided you are willing to pay over-the-counter costs.", is it means that I can instead pay certain amount of money at the immigration department counter to replace the health insurance  when I apply for the visa with bank deposit and health check documents ?

No....but that I mean that when you reach a certain age where you cannot obtain insurance  at a reasonable price you can submit a statement to that effect. If MM2H One stop feels that your insurance situation is not reasonably priced they can waive that requirement.

Usually most people over 62 or 64 and above receive waivers. Of course, they have to pay for medical care directly through the doctor. They don't have insurance for Malaysia. The may also apply for some remuneration for healthcare costs in Malaysia (but probably not elsewhere) from their fixed deposit after the first year.   Of course, you may be able to fly back to Taiwan to receive healthcare through your Taiwanese insurance.

schlee1231 wrote:

3) "check your provisional letter of acceptance...does it require that you have insurance?"

you mean that I will receive a provisional letter of acceptance by post to my home address in Taiwan within 1 or 2 weeks and this will be the evidence to collect approval letter at MM2H center when I travel to KL ?

The conditional letter lays out the rules you need to follow to receive the visa. One usually receives it after you have received notification of approval. If you don't receive it you may have to pick it up from MM2H.

It usually states the requirements that you still need to submit or complete: the fixed deposit (and how long); and possibly other items. If they also say you must have Malaysian issued health insurance you will need it.

schlee1231 wrote:

4) "it would be reasonable to have coverage (or try to obtain it) maybe 1 year before you renew. ",  "renew" means the visa renewal 10 years later ?

Yes.

schlee1231 wrote:

Hello,

1) For the conditional letter,  if MM2H don't mail it to my home address but need to collect it at the MM2H center, then I don't know the requirements at Taiwan until I arrive KL at MM2H center.
It seems that is not reasonable because I need to prepare everything in Taiwan before go to KL. Therefore, can I ask MM2H to mail(or email etc) the conditional letter to me ?Terry

Unreasonable, yes. You can ask. Explain the situation. But most likely the letter will be similar to the one that everyone who gets one receives...it will say that you need to:
1) Obtain a medical checkup
http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/hom … conditions
2) Submit your fixed deposit. http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/hom … conditions
3) Submit your personal bond to MM2H
http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/hom … conditions

There may be some statement warning you not to get involved in local politics or other issues sensitive to the feelings of Malaysians, not to act as a missionary, and not to work

If it does have a provision about insurance it will look like (4) below

schlee1231 wrote:

2) Actually every Taiwan citizen needs to join the National Health Insurance (paid monthly) which cover out-patient and hospital stay expenses both inside Taiwan and overseas. Whenever medical expenses raised outside Taiwan, we can claim the protected amount by providing related documents. So can I use the Taiwan National Health Insurance Plan to replace the health insurance ?
Terry

Here's what the MM2H website states.

4) "MEDICAL INSURANCE

Approved participants and their dependants must possess valid medical insurance coverage that is applicable in Malaysia from any insurance company.

However, exemptions may be given for participants who face difficulty in obtaining a medical insurance due to their age or medical condition."

I don't know if your national program uses a medical insurer, but the benefits seem to more than meet the coverage expected in Malaysia.

My suggestion is that you bring a summary of all the benefits available through your National Health Program (if it is a Preferred Provider Program they may have a website that shows what doctors and facilities offer to facilitate remuneration). Highlight the sections that shows that you will compensated if living abroad. Show them the remuneration rate...e.g. you may pay 10% of the cost and the program 90%. If you have dependents that will accompanying you show that they are covered as well.

They should be satisfied that this is "medical insurance coverage that is valid in Malaysia" and you should be exempt fro having to obtain insurance as long as you are covered by your national plan.

Best of luck!

schlee1231 wrote:

Hello, 

Inside the security form, I find that there is a witness of Malaysia NRIC and address.
How can I complete this part if I don't have any Malaysia friends ?

Thanks

Any Malaysian (or in Sarawak, any Sarawakian) can witness this (perhaps some government employees are excluded). I think the witness can be the next person in line (if Malaysian). If applying for the Peninsular MM2H as a self-application I think you would sign the document at the MM2H One-Stop Center in  Putrajaya. So the witness would be someone there.

Maybe email MM2H and ask where and with whom one is to have this document signed? Is it done at HASIL? At the One-Stop Counter, and the Fee Payment Window? Is the MM2H One Stop the guarantor once the fee is paid.  Will they have a witness on hand?

schlee1231 wrote:

Inside the security form, I find that there is a witness of Malaysia NRIC and address.
How can I complete this part if I don't have any Malaysia friends ?

About the security bond form, MM2H Centre advised me the witness does need to be a Malaysian. Perhaps your insurance agent, hotel staff member, banker, etc. can sign as the witness.

The completed form must be stamped at any Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia stamping office (Pejabat Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri), which costs RM10. The witness who signed the form does not need to be present when you get it stamped. You don't have to buy the RM10 Hasil stamp at a post office in advance, you just pay RM10 cash at the stamping office when they do the stamping.

There is an LHDM office in Cyberjaya, not far (by car/taxi) from the MM2H Centre. It is diagonally opposite the Hasil headquarters building in an office complex called Star Central. Look for "LHDN Pejabat Satelit Cyberjaya" in Google maps.
The full address (per http://www.hasil.gov.my/bt_goindex.php? … p;bt_lgv=2):
PEJABAT SATELIT CYBERJAYA
ARAS BAWAH - 7, BLOK 6B, STAR CENTRAL
LINGKARAN CYBERPOINT TIMUR
63000 CYBERJAYA
SELANGOR

There are many stamping offices around the country, so you may find another more convenient to your hotel, bank, etc.

You bring the completed and stamped form to the MM2H Centre when you come to collect your visa. You will pay the actual security bond at the MM2H Centre cashier window.

The info pack with my approval letter contains an example form filled like this:

Where's it is a condition of the issue of a __SOCIAL VISIT PASS__ to me / the said __APPLICANT'S NAME__ of __APPLICANT'S ADDRESS__ that there furnished by me / on behalf of the said __APPLICANT'S NAME__ security in the sum of __RM (ACCORDING TO COUNTRY)__ as a guarantee that I / the said will comply with the provisions of the above Ordinance and of any regulations made there under and with any conditions imposed in respect of or instructions endorsed on such __SOCIAL VISIT PASS__.

Now I, __NAME OF WITNESS__ NRIC No ______ of __ADDRESS IN MALAYSIA__ do hereby bind myself that I / the said __APPLICANT'S NAME__ will comply with the provisions of the above Act and of any regulations made there under and with any special conditions imposed in respoect of or instrucitons endoresed on such __SOCIAL VISIT PASS__.

And in case of my / the said __APPLICANT'S NAME__ making default therein, I hereby bind myself to forfeit to the Government of Malaysia the sum of __RM (ACCORDING TO COUNTRY)__ , which I do hereby deposited with the Government of Malaysia vide.

Receipt No ______

Dated this ______ Day of __MONTH__ at __YEAR__ in the state of __STATE__.

Signature of the above named
__APPLICANT'S SIGNATURE__

Signed and executed by the above named __APPLICANT'S NAME__
In my presence.
Signature of Witness: ______
Full name of Witness: ______
Address of Witness: ______
File Ref: ______

*WITNESS CAN BE RELATIVES OR FRIEND OF THE APPLICANT