Australian EP holder in singapore - multiple visit to Msia

[pandaz83]

Hello,

I am a Australian who is currently holding a EP in Singapore. I have been travelling to Malaysia frequently (up to once to a month) to do my purchases and visit my friends. In one occasion, the officer in the Malaysia immigration said that I am not allowed to travel to Malaysia anymore as I have overstayed in the country as my first visit to Malaysia is Jan 2013 so my last visit to Malaysia will be April 2013 (which I think is not true as I only stay in Malaysia for a maximum of 1 day per visit and will return Singapore the day after). Is the Malaysia officer correct that I can no longer visit Malaysia until I return to Australia ?

[the lynx]

Hello,

I am a Australian who is currently holding a EP in Singapore. I have been travelling to Malaysia frequently (up to once to a month) to do my purchases and visit my friends. In one occasion, the officer in the Malaysia immigration said that I am not allowed to travel to Malaysia anymore as I have overstayed in the country as my first visit to Malaysia is Jan 2013 so my last visit to Malaysia will be April 2013 (which I think is not true as I only stay in Malaysia for a maximum of 1 day per visit and will return Singapore the day after). Is the Malaysia officer correct that I can no longer visit Malaysia until I return to Australia ?

That's weird. Thousands of EP holders do that every day (or weekend for that matter) in JB for shopping. Any idea what's the total number of days from your frequent visits to Malaysia and over the duration of how many months/weeks?

[bgd]

Definitely doesn't sound correct. For years, and mostly on an EP, I have travelled over to Malaysia for weekends. Never any issues.

As a kiwi I can only think it’s because you’re Australian and the rest of the world is starting to catch on

[AngMoG]

Mostly, this depends on the total number of days you have stayed in Malaysia this year. If you are out of Malaysia more days than inside Malaysia, you should be fine.

However, for Malaysia, you need to always obtain an exit stamp, for every entry. If an exit stamp is missing, and it "looks like" you have overstayed, that may be a problem. Also, of course, make sure you are not overstaying.

[Mi Amigo]

Perhaps the immigration officer was having difficulty matching up all the various entry and exit stamps? There have been occasions where I've seen them go through my entire passport looking at all the entry and exit dates - it doesn't help when they just stamp on any random page (rather than put the exit stamp next to the corresponding entry stamp, as they always do for example in Japan).

I guess it's also possible that the person was deliberately creating concern on your part in the hope of obtaining something in return. Wouldn't be the first time that kind of behaviour has occurred (although to be fair, I've never personally seen it in Malaysia).

[the lynx]

Perhaps the immigration officer was having difficulty matching up all the various entry and exit stamps? There have been occasions where I've seen them go through my entire passport looking at all the entry and exit dates - it doesn't help when they just stamp on any random page (rather than put the exit stamp next to the corresponding entry stamp, as they always do for example in Japan).

I guess it's also possible that the person was deliberately creating concern on your part in the hope of obtaining something in return. Wouldn't be the first time that kind of behaviour has occurred (although to be fair, I've never personally seen it in Malaysia).

I agree with Mi Amigo on that. Malaysian immigration officers (just like other SEA immigration officers) are notorious for stamping all over the passport, which makes hunting for relevant exit stamps a chore!

And ditto for that bribery part, happened to few friends who visited me. They had the right visa, didn't overstay, etc. The only fault one could find was that they were Americans and they loved batik (bought a couple of those sarongs). One immigration officer tried to hint that they could 'work it out' with him but they didn't get the hint and the game of telepathy took quite some time. To prevent suspicion of him soliciting a bribe, he had to wave them off hastily.

Anyway for those who reside in Singapore, love Malaysia and hate multiple stamps, you should consider getting MACs. Multiple-entry access card. http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main ... ystem-macs

The website wasn't clear but work visa holders are also eligible (the only clear requirement is that they have residency status in Singapore). I can attest to that.

[Wd40]

Perhaps the immigration officer was having difficulty matching up all the various entry and exit stamps? There have been occasions where I've seen them go through my entire passport looking at all the entry and exit dates - it doesn't help when they just stamp on any random page (rather than put the exit stamp next to the corresponding entry stamp, as they always do for example in Japan).

I guess it's also possible that the person was deliberately creating concern on your part in the hope of obtaining something in return. Wouldn't be the first time that kind of behaviour has occurred (although to be fair, I've never personally seen it in Malaysia).

Yeah, I also feel this is the issue. They must have looked at an older entry stamp. You should have clarified to them, about your last entry date.

[ecureilx]

Perhaps the immigration officer was having difficulty matching up all the various entry and exit stamps? There have been occasions where I've seen them go through my entire passport looking at all the entry and exit dates - it doesn't help when they just stamp on any random page (rather than put the exit stamp next to the corresponding entry stamp, as they always do for example in Japan).

That random stamping, as I was told by an 'expert', is part of their training to ensure that if the person stamping missed some immigration violation elsewhere / anomaly, the next person may spot it, while fishing for the entry stamp ..

[the lynx]

Perhaps the immigration officer was having difficulty matching up all the various entry and exit stamps? There have been occasions where I've seen them go through my entire passport looking at all the entry and exit dates - it doesn't help when they just stamp on any random page (rather than put the exit stamp next to the corresponding entry stamp, as they always do for example in Japan).

That random stamping, as I was told by an 'expert', is part of their training to ensure that if the person stamping missed some immigration violation elsewhere / anomaly, the next person may spot it, while fishing for the entry stamp ..

You've got to be kidding me!

[ScoobyDoes]

Anyway for those who reside in Singapore, love Malaysia and hate multiple stamps, you should consider getting MACs. Multiple-entry access card. http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main ... ystem-macs

The website wasn't clear but work visa holders are also eligible (the only clear requirement is that they have residency status in Singapore). I can attest to that.

I had one with EP, after getting a letter from a company in KL asking for assistance in approving the card. My colleague got one just by handing his passport and form to the guy behind the counter at the 2nd Link.....the money for MACS was worth more than doing any 'work' to check authenticity.

[PNGMK]

You were being asked for a bribe. That's all.

[ScoobyDoes]

Huh? No..... I mean they were more interested in getting money for a MACS pass (with receipt etc.) and money into the government than they were about following the rules to the letter.

It was all above board except they didn't really care whether I met the criteria 100%.

[Mi Amigo]

I think PNGMK's comment was intended for the OP, not in response to your post.