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Moving from Pakistan to Johor Bahru

Dr.S.Rehman

Hi to All ! I'll come to Johor Bahru on visit visa. Will it be possible to convert my visit visa to a business visa or a work permit or work visa after taking nessary actions ? Can I run a small shop of any type in Johor Bahru in limited financial resourses ? Please guide me if possible by anybody. In addition , I'm 47 years old and want to marry a malaysian women.Rest of my life I want to lead in Malaysia.

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Gravitas

No you cant directly transfer a visit visa into a work permit or business visa.

You either have to get a job offer and the company can then apply for an employment pass on your half. If you want to own a business, there are quite high paid up capital requirements you will have to meet. They depend on whether the business is 100% owned by foreigners or part-owed with Malaysians. Foreigners are not permitted to100% own a provisions or most other shops.

It is similar when owning a restaurant. Small ones are not permitted to be owned 100% by foreigners. Only luxury concept that have more than 1500 sq ft. The rules are to protect Malaysian business owners.

JB is a rough area with lots of crime and issues with gangs. If you tried to set up a business there you would certainly run into racketeers and have to pay protection money (which is still common in all parts of Malaysia).

Rule of thumb - you would need at least RM 200,000 at your disposal to open a business that will in total require RM 350,000 in paid up capital on the balance sheet to start trading and to get a permit as a business owner. You would need one or more Malaysian partner to put up the balance or be a silent partner and put up the cash yourself. By law the Malaysians would need to own 51% and control the business.

M.Umairkhan

sorry to say you can't do any thin in malaysia , i spend my life 3 year's , there is nothing to do. & do not think about marriage

Gravitas

Just seen yet another shop close down. It happens all the time - same with cafes. The people like yourself set up business with a local, but because of the competition they lose money and have to close. The other scenario is that have problems with the authorities who close them down for various reasons.  As mentioned above, there is not much chance of making it in Malaysia, especially at your age. Do some serious research before you attempt any of what you mention. I would say 90% of every planeload of visitors from Pakistan are looking for the same as you and they end up empty handed or in trouble. Johor Airport is fully equipped to handle arrivals with your intentions.