How to apply for a maid's JP Visa / Work Permit by yourself?

I have been running like a chicken without head to our government immigration department for our maid's JP Visa application. It's not funny when 2 immigration officers tell you different things and you end up making endless trips to the immigration department because they keep telling you dokumen tak lengkap (incomplete documents). You can also forget about calling them for inquiries unless you have a secretary to do it for you or otherwise risk spiking your blood pressure.

If you are trying to save some valuable bucks on agency fees, here are some useful guidelines from my own experience.

#1: Get your maid into Malaysia through social visit pass (Reference Visa / Visa Dengan Rujukan is not required as at to date - but please check with immigration department again).
Note: There is a freeze in JP visa application recently until further notice by immigration. (updated on 4th May 2012)

#2: Get the forms ready.
You can either download the forms by clicking on the forms below or head to the nearest immigration department to get it for free. You'll need 1 copy of each unless stated otherwise. Please fill up the forms completely. Immigration will not entertain partially filled forms and you'll be asked to re-submit the forms once you complete them.

• Borang permohonan baru (PRA 1)
• Borang IM 12 (Visa pass application form)
• Borang Personal Bond -1 stamped* copy (RM10)
• Perjanjian Pekerjaan (Employment contract) - 2 original sets (stamped*) + 2 photocopied set
• Borang perakuan pembantu rumah asing beragama Islam bagi majikan yang menggaji PRA beragama Islam (Lampiran A) - for non-Muslim employers only
• Borang perakuan pengambilan pembantu rumah asing beragama Islam (Lampiran B) - for maids who are Muslim only
• Borang perakuan daripada majikan yang tidak menggunakan agensi berdaftar (Lampiran C)

Note: If the links above are broken, download the forms from immigration website (under the tab 'Dokumen yang diperlukan Permohonan PRA').

*Stamp duty can be obtained / done at Inland Revenues (LHDN) offices. Click here to view the list.

#3: Get ALL the required supporting documents ready.

• Maid's original passport + photocopy of the passport's first page and entry stamp page
• 2 passport sized photo your maid (1 for immigration, 1 for Fomema)
• A copy of your latest EPF / KWSP statement + a copy of your latest payslip (for 3 months), OR your latest e-BE income tax statement with payment receipt.
• Surat rayuan ( Letter of appeal) - a formal letter stating the reason you need a maid urgently.

You may apply for a maid under 1 of the 2 reasons stated below:
1. To care for your children below age 15, or
2. To care for your sick parents.

For reason no. 1, you'll need:

• Marriage certificate
• Child / children birth certificates
• Original and photocopy of your I.C
• Photocopy of your spouse's I.C
• 2 passport sized photo of yourself
• 1 passport sized photo of your spouse

For reason no. 2, you'll need:

• A doctor's letter confirming health of your parents
• Original and photocopy of your I.C
• Photocopy of both your parents' I.C
• 2 passport sized photo of yourself
 

#4: Submit the forms and supporting documents to immigration department.
From my experience, I suggest Putrajaya although it's a bit far but the officers there are friendlier and easier to deal with. The one we dealt with in Shah Alam gave us a set of forms to fill in but when we return for submission, another officer told us that the forms are outdated and requested us to fill up a new set. She wasn't helpful at all when we asked her what supporting documents the immigration requires and we were referred from counter to counter like fools.

Once your submission of forms is accepted, you'll be given an acknowledgement letter (surat akuan penerimaan). You'll be told to call the phone numbers stated in the letter after 7 days for the result of your application. If you happened to be like me, no one at the immigration picks up your calls (I swear I tried calling at different hours from early morning till late evening but to no avail), then call the general line and ask for 'Unit Pembantu Rumah'. Once your application has been approved, there is a payment of RM960 (Amount has been increased to RM1,031- see point #5 in red). Also, you need to do registration at Fomema which cost another RM190.

#5: Buy bank drafts.
Go to any banks and buy 3 separate bank drafts. The 3rd bank draft is optional (you can purchase it later).

• 1st bank draft is payable to Ketua Pengarah Imigresen Malaysia (RM 515).
• 2nd bank draft is payable to FOMEMA Sdn Bhd (RM 190).
• 3rd bank draft is also payable to Ketua Pengarah Imigresen Malaysia (RM 445) (Amount has been increased to RM516.) - Payment to be made if your maid passes her medical screening with Fomema.

#6: Go to the Immigration Department where you submitted all your forms to pay the 1st bank draft. You'll be issued an official receipt and a letter of approval.

#7: Get all the required documents ready before you proceed to Fomema for registration. See here for required documents and list of Fomema branches. In addition to that, you also need a photocopy of the official receipt (RM515) from immigration. It is also helpful to know which clinic you intend to bring your maid for her medical checkup. See list of panel clinics here.

Note: Medical report from country of origin is not required. Registration form can also be obtained from the information counter on the day of registration itself.

#8: Bring your maid for her medical checkup and x-ray.
Please be reminded to bring her original passport and the 3-ply forms with you. The x-ray center is usually located nearby the clinic. Results are usually out by 3 to 4 working days. You can check the results online through Fomema's website. To be on the safe side, go to immigration department the next day (1 day after the release of medical screening results) because Fomema transmits the medical result to immigration via online and sometimes unforeseen circumstances (e.g. system is down) may occur.

#9: If your maid passes her medical screening, proceed to the same immigration department with the 3rd bank draft in hand (RM 516). Bring along your maid's original passport!
If your maid fails her medical screening, you need to send your maid back to her home country.

#10: Congratulations! You have a legal maid working for you and now you'll have to deal with other potential problems that your maid might be giving you.
Oh wait!.... You need to open a bank account for your maid too. Make sure you bank in her monthly salary on time and keep the proof of bank-in and withdrawals (if any). This will facilitate her visa renewal in 9 months time (that's because you need to start renewing her visa 3 months before the expiry date).

xxx

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