Sarawak My Second Home Program

Last 3 months before application endorsed by bank stamp. Translated by official channel.

You need three statements (or warrants) if you are applying for the Pension Option.
If you are applying for the Fixed Deposit option, it seems they have dramatically eased off on showing any evidence of assets. It appears the Ministry of Tourism will consider a variety of income streams if one doesn't actually have precisely the amount required. 

But that should be asked of the MoT, not me.

Nowadays one can get these on-line, so they'd likely expect the three months  to be within the last 3-5 months.  Again talk to the MoT if they'll accept longer ago than that..

You should shop around in Kuching for best FD rates and exchange rates...banks will only accept the MM2H deposit in Ringgits...not £ $ or Euro.

One then gets a letter from the Ministry of Tourism to establish the Fixed Account at the specific bank you have selected.

If you are using a money exchange firm (Transferwise) it may be important to attach to your money transfer the requisite information as well as a copy of the letter indicating that it is a FD required for the MM2H, passport, etc.  Maybe Cobbold has some advice on how to accomplish this.

I used TransferWise for the FD transfer (in Ringgit) with some trepidation after hearing that my chosen bank had had some problems with receiving money via TW. I photographed the letter from the MoT that allowed me to open the account, together with the account details, and uploaded the pics to the secure area of the TW website. I put a Purpose Code in the reference line of the transfer - the bank gave that to me. Also I put "Opening MM2H FD" in the same line. After initiating the transfer I phoned TW and asked them to attach the documents to the transfer. They didn't think that would be necessary, but I asked them to do it anyway; to be honest, I'm not sure that they did.

I initiated the transfer on Friday late afternoon and it arrived first thing Tuesday morning. Not bad. TW used a Malaysian B2B company called Tranglo to pay out to my savings account. Once in my savings account, the transfer to the FD was instant.

An MTACYS Sarawak officer said yesterday, S-MM2H applicants can use house rental and FD profit as offshore income but subject to the acceptance by the immigration department. And all this should be reflected in a bank statement provided by an offshore bank in the original, not taken online. Has any applicant succeeded by using house rental and FD profit as offshore income?

Can I have the email address of a contact person at the Sarawak immigration department?

The Sarawak MTACYS webpage https://mtacys.sarawak.gov.my/page-0...awak-MM2H.html in an update on 22 February says: 'The S-MM2H Coordination committee is now reviewing the requirements and regulations for the programme.' Can you guess what the new requirements and regulations may look like?

The bleakest prediction would be the S-MM2H programme aligned requirements with the Sabah and Peninsular programmes (probably still requiring a Sponsor though).

Even bleaker, the requirement to live where the MM2H was issued (based on recent experience on the Sabah programme)

Immigration mechanism whereby there are 30-90 day entry visas to other MM2H locations than one's own.

Gravitas wrote:

The bleakest prediction would be the S-MM2H programme aligned requirements with the Sabah and Peninsular programmes (probably still requiring a Sponsor though).

Even bleaker, the requirement to live where the MM2H was issued (based on recent experience on the Sabah programme)

Immigration mechanism whereby there are 30-90 day entry visas to other MM2H locations than one's own.

I seems someone decided to get a few posts deleted. I would point out again that there is no factual basis for the above speculations and the author has failed to produce a reliable source for them.

As it says - it's worst scenario and anything better is a bonus.

No source needed as it's purely an analysis.

So what's your idea of a logical development of the Sarawak Mm2h programme?

Gravitas wrote:

As it says - it's worst scenario and anything better is a bonus.

No source needed as it's purely an analysis.

So what's your idea of a logical development of the Sarawak Mm2h programme?

Agreed

Gravitas wrote:

As it says - it's worst scenario and anything better is a bonus.

No source needed as it's purely an analysis.

So what's your idea of a logical development of the Sarawak Mm2h programme?

I recently sat down and talked for about 20 minutes with the lady at Sarawak MoTCYS who is drafting the new regulations. Of course, she did not tell me what they would be, but the 'mood music' suggested that they will be nowhere near as drastic as the worst case guesses made above.

I had a long chat with an MM2H agent who is often in discussions with the lady above. His best guess is that they may raise the FD requirement a bit and possibly will require "a few more documents".

Everything I read about Sarawak Immigration policy indicates that the local Govt. protects very strongly its independence from Putrajaya, as guaranteed by the MA63 Constitution.

The webpage https://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/art … w/221/279/ has been updated on 12 March 2019. Do you find any change of requirements and regulations of S-MM2H?

Obaydullah wrote:

The webpage https://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/art … w/221/279/ has been updated on 12 March 2019. Do you find any change of requirements and regulations of S-MM2H?

I don't see any significant change to the Sarawak criteria. The sponsor criterion is still incorrect - PR holder is not allowed to sponsor, must be a born Sarawakian living within easy reach of Kuching. They will update the website and correct that error when the new regulations are known, I am reliably informed.

Thank you, Cobolin, for the reply. Can you give me an idea about the likely changes in the regulations and when the changes will be disclosed?

Obaydullah wrote:

Thank you, Cobolin, for the reply. Can you give me an idea about the likely changes in the regulations and when the changes will be disclosed?

I know no more than what I have already written in this thread. For safety, I suggest you get your application in as soon as possible.

Cobolin wrote:

Obaydullah wrote:

The webpage https://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/art … w/221/279/ has been updated on 12 March 2019. Do you find any change of requirements and regulations of S-MM2H?

I don't see any significant change to the Sarawak criteria. The sponsor criterion is still incorrect - PR holder is not allowed to sponsor, must be a born Sarawakian living within easy reach of Kuching. They will update the website and correct that error when the new regulations are known, I am reliably informed.

Does the sponsor of the S-MM2H have to know the applicant for a certain period of time before he/she can be a sponsor?

post wrote:

Cobolin wrote:

Obaydullah wrote:

The webpage https://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/art … w/221/279/ has been updated on 12 March 2019. Do you find any change of requirements and regulations of S-MM2H?

I don't see any significant change to the Sarawak criteria. The sponsor criterion is still incorrect - PR holder is not allowed to sponsor, must be a born Sarawakian living within easy reach of Kuching. They will update the website and correct that error when the new regulations are known, I am reliably informed.

Does the sponsor of the S-MM2H have to know the applicant for a certain period of time before he/she can be a sponsor?

I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Obaydullah wrote:

The webpage https://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/art … w/221/279/ has been updated on 12 March 2019. Do you find any change of requirements and regulations of S-MM2H?

I think just the wording of the Note has been changed

cinnamonape wrote:

To add a bit more confusion to the stew...

The following FAQ suggests that you should provide additional information about assets BESIDES the materials above. Because I was on the Pension Program and provided my pensions warrants perhaps they were satisfied (I was prepared to give them information about my bank accounts and a 401K Investment Fund, but they gave those documents back and never requested further information).

http://www.mtacys.sarawak.gov.my/page-0 … n-FAQ.html

"Q2: What do you recommend to improve my chances of approval?

A2: While you are required to place a fixed deposit and/or show proof of income, these are only the minimum requirements. In order to receive approval, you must show that you have a strong financial background by providing asset statements, bank deposit statements and proof of any additional income that you derive beyond the minimum required amounts. In other words, simply having RM150,000 in the bank and RM10,000 per month in income will not get approval. Furthermore, we recommend you apply with family members when possible.

Q7: Can I use my existing non-cash assets in Malaysia to fulfill the MM2H condition?

A7: No, they cannot be considered equivalent to the fix deposit requirement stated in the Conditional Approval Letter by the Immigration of Malaysia. However, we strongly advise you to include whatever assets you have in Malaysia or elsewhere as your supporting financial documents when you make your MM2H application.

Q10: What were the main reasons applications were being rejected?

A10: Most rejected cases were due to the failure in showing proof of strong financial status. As mentioned above, applicants with just enough cash available for the required fix deposit and meeting the minimum requirement for monthly income will not be approved.

Q11: If I have been staying in Malaysia for years, can I apply for MM2H?

A11: Yes, provided you have a valid Social Visa at the point of application and are able to fulfill all the requirements. The application can be done while you are in Malaysia."

The material in the FAQ relating to the term of the Sarawak Visa (10 Years) is wrong however. You only will be awarded a 5 Year Renewable Visa.

Hi everyone

We have just been approved for Sarawak MM2H. We went the fixed deposit route and were not asked for proof of any other assets or any form of income.

Obviously you need a source of funds for everyday living and our sponsor was asked whether we knew we could not work and needed to support ourselves. Our sponsor made the point that we had the necessary funds.

Congrats. Have they told you yet the cost for the 5 year visa itself? My sponsor just got the word that mine has been approved but no mention of what I need to pay immigration for visa itself?

Cheers

The 5 year pass costs RM450.
So for my wife and I it was RM900 total and despite the payment window a having Visa / Mastercard / etc sticker we were asked to pay in cash.

Congratulations! I find that the pension option is vastly easier than the FD option.

hi clouded leopard &  petemac2001.

are you able to share about questions asked during the interview?

especially questions asked for the sponsors.

mant thanks.

or any other forumners whom have gone thru the interview  process? can share also about the questions asked during interview? for Both applicant and sponsor? thanks

lplplpl wrote:

or any other forumners whom have gone thru the interview  process? can share also about the questions asked during interview? for Both applicant and sponsor? thanks

The applicant is not interviewed. The sponsor will be asked general questions about the applicant's background, ability to support themselves, whether or not they know they cannot work and should spend more time in Sarawak than in West Malaysia etc. It's not arduous, but every word the sponsor utters will be written down.

Thanks. I am in Penang at the moment, so will need to fly to Sarawak to pick up my visa. A couple of questions regards doing this

1/ Did your sponsor need to be present when you picked up visa?

2/ Is it just a matter of payment and passport is stamped on the day? Just trying to work out if it would work me flying in early that morning, completing payment and stamp, then leaving that afternoon.

Cheers

I had the same experience regards interviews. As I am in single, the only other extra questions they asked my sponsor, other then those already mentioned, was confirming my marital status

Petemac2001 wrote:

Thanks. I am in Penang at the moment, so will need to fly to Sarawak to pick up my visa. A couple of questions regards doing this

1/ Did your sponsor need to be present when you picked up visa?

2/ Is it just a matter of payment and passport is stamped on the day? Just trying to work out if it would work me flying in early that morning, completing payment and stamp, then leaving that afternoon.

Cheers

1/ No. But bring the letter you received when your application was lodged.

2/ It took about 1 hour from arriving at Immigration to leaving with the pass in the passport.

Can I be a little pedantic here.
What you get filling a page of your passport is a 'pass' which is valid, in this case for 5 years or when it is cancelled.
You get a 'visa' each time you enter Malaysia and they stamp your passport. This visa is cancelled when you leave Malaysia and they stamp your passport again.
I used the wrong term at the airport immigration once and confusion reigned for a while.

Thanks. I haven't received letter yet, they just called my sponsor yesterday and said all was approved.

Petemac2001 wrote:

Thanks. I haven't received letter yet, they just called my sponsor yesterday and said all was approved.

Sorry, I meant to write letter you got when your application was lodged.
The acceptance letter you get with the pass when you go to immigration.
You are good to come to Kuching now.

Clouded Leopard wrote:

Petemac2001 wrote:

Thanks. I haven't received letter yet, they just called my sponsor yesterday and said all was approved.

Sorry, I meant to write letter you got when your application was lodged.
The acceptance letter you get with the pass when you go to immigration.
You are good to come to Kuching now.

Sweet. Thanks for that

lplplpl wrote:

hi clouded leopard &  petemac2001.

are you able to share about questions asked during the interview?

especially questions asked for the sponsors.

mant thanks.

As others have said you are not interviewed.
Our sponsor said their interview was mostly questions about the sponsor.
They were asked if they were aware of their commitment, how long they had known us, what they knew about us, did we know what we could and could not do.

cinnamonape wrote:

Congratulations! I find that the pension option is vastly easier than the FD option.

We did not have sufficient proof of enough regular income to go that route and left the income fields empty. We did have proof of plenty of liquid assets, but there were not interested in them!

Clouded Leopard wrote:

...Can I be a little pedantic here.
What you get filling a page of your passport is a 'pass' which is valid, in this case for 5 years or when it is cancelled.
You get a 'visa' each time you enter Malaysia and they stamp your passport. This visa is cancelled when you leave Malaysia and they stamp your passport again.
I used the wrong term at the airport immigration once and confusion reigned for a while.

Apologies for cluttering up the thread but I have told that the pass/visa distinction above is not neccesarily correct.
But the harrowing few minutes at the airport whilst the checked my immigration history was real.

Clouded Leopard wrote:

Can I be a little pedantic here.
What you get filling a page of your passport is a 'pass' which is valid, in this case for 5 years or when it is cancelled.
You get a 'visa' each time you enter Malaysia and they stamp your passport. This visa is cancelled when you leave Malaysia and they stamp your passport again.
I used the wrong term at the airport immigration once and confusion reigned for a while.

Malaysia is really odd. Their nomenclature seems reversed to that used elsewhere.

If you work, are married to a Malaysian, Visiting Relatives, going to school, etc. they issue you a "Pass". Your MM2H is actually a "Pass" . Everyone go look at your passport...:-)

Visas are issued to foreigners for a short-term social visit (3 months), for business or government-to-government matters (Multiple-Entry), and for Transit exclusively within the airport....

Unless you are one who requires a Journey Performed Visa...In which case you will receive a One Day Single Entry VISA that also fills up an entire page. It's good for only that day and has a "Journey Performed" embossed across it at an angle...cost RM506.

Then you also receive the Multiple Entry Pass...that looks identical to the MM2H "Pass" except that it is issued in Kuching. That will allow you five years of entry/remain until it expires. MYR450 (RMY90/year).

When you leave Malaysia you will henceforth receive a departure stamp. Upon re-entry you need to tell them you are on the MM2H programme they will give you an "open" stamp on which they will write in your MM2H expiration date (5 years from receipt).  Oddly the re-entry stamp at KLIA will state "permitted to re-enter West Malaysia AND SABAH and remain until...(date)."  When you enter Sarawak (either Internationally of from Sabah or Peninsula Malaysia) you'll receive another stamp...that states "Permitted to re-enter Sarawak/Malaysia until....(date)."

cinnamonape wrote:

....Upon re-entry you need to tell them you are on the MM2H programme....

Is there an ID card for the Sarawak MM2H programme participants to differentiate their immigration status in the country?

post wrote:

cinnamonape wrote:

....Upon re-entry you need to tell them you are on the MM2H programme....

Is there an ID card for the Sarawak MM2H programme participants to differentiate their immigration status in the country?

No card...the Immigration Officer looks at the glued in “pass” (visa) and looks at where it was issued. If Sarawak the write in the full date. If you have a MM2H from the Peninsula you’ll receive a briefer period, That Might be 30 Days or 90 Days.

Peninsula sticker in passport says its a "Malaysia My 2 Home" pass (last line of details such as expiry etc ). Still no ID card available here.

The immigration official puts your passport through a reader and the database will flag that you have (or had) a MM2H/Employment/whatever pass and your entry/exit history. They will then visually check the pass, I have two expired West Malaysia passes in addition to my shiny new Sarawak MM2H in my current passport which will slow them down on this.

Maybe they will ask a question or two. As I mentioned earlier if your answer apparently does not match the database history it can become interesting 

I heard someone created an ID card with the particulars page of their passport on one side, and their MM2H pass on the back, laminated, colored copy. Not for official uses, but Day-To-day carriage when someone wants your passport # or to see that you are mm2h. I have a passel of colored copies of my Letter of Conditional Acceptance as well - In case I misplace my official one.