Job Discussion Forums

[englishmaster]

I was hired earlier this year by a Malaysian uni, but I still haven't received a professional visit pass from the Malaysian immigration office because of delays. The semester has already started, and now the uni wants me to come without a work visa, saying it can pay some kind of a fee for me to get the working papers after I am in the country.

Does anyone know if they can really do this? I don't want to buy a ticket, fly all the way down there, and then be in a fix.

Any information will be heartily appreciated.

[Kana65]

Hope this reply is not too late.

Yes, you can enter Malaysia and apply for your work permit once you are here....In fact, that is how most employers do it....Even the international school I work for insists the employee enter Malaysia first.

It may take more than 90 days in which case you can either extend your social visit pass another 60 days or travel in and out of the country to get another 90 days.

Even though it is technically illegal, schools will generally have you start work while you are waiting for your work permit....The education department doesn't seem to crack down too hard on this....Only case I ever heard of was International House who were raided because they really abusing the process....They had a large number of expats in house with no work permits.

[englishmaster]

Thanks for the reply, Kana65. I am pleased to announce that, in the interim, my official document arrived, and I have used it to apply to the Malaysian consulate. So far, so good.

It's a good thing I don't have to commit a technical breach of immigration regs to go to my new job. Not that I think that sort of thing matters much in Malaysia ....