I have overstayed almost a month whilst trying to sort out a new job with ARC, but that hasn’t happened yet, so I’m off anyway before I get into too much trouble. My questions are as follows:
Should I get a visitor visa? Can a landing visa be converted to an ARC? Can a visitor visa be converted?
How long do Brits get for landing visas and visitor visas? Thirty days? Sixty days?
Where’s the best place to get a visitor visa? I’d like to do Bangkok, but I’m easy.
What do I need to get the visitor visa? Cash, onward tickets, etc. ?
[quote]1. Should I get a visitor visa?[/quote] If you can, yes.
[quote]Can a landing visa be converted to an ARC? [/quote] No. Note that landing visas have been replaced by 30-day visa-free entry but you may not be able to get this because of your overstaying.
[quote]Can a visitor visa be converted?[/quote] Yes.
[quote]2. How long do Brits get for landing visas and visitor visas? Thirty days? Sixty days?[/quote] 30-day visa-free entry, visitor visas 30 and 60 days (60-day ones are hard to get in Asia unless you’ve signed up for Chinese classes).
I don’t think that there is any clear favourite. Bangkok is a cheap place to stay but the office tends to be strict.
[quote]
4. What do I need to get the visitor visa? Cash, onward tickets, etc. ?[/quote] Yes
Forget about the visa-free entry/landing visa. Having overstayed, you can’t get one for a year. Therefore you need to apply abroad for a visitor visa. You should be able to get one if you show documents proving you have a job application under way. When you have gained permission to work, you can get your visitor visa replaced with a resident visa, which you then use to get your alien residence permit from the police.
Kuala Lumpur is said to be a good place to make your visa appliction. Good luck.
[quote=“Juba”]Forget about the visa-free entry/landing visa. Having overstayed, you can’t get one for a year. Therefore you need to apply abroad for a visitor visa. You should be able to get one if you show documents proving you have a job application under way. When you have gained permission to work, you can get your visitor visa replaced with a resident visa, which you then use to get your alien residence permit from the police.
Kuala Lumpur is said to be a good place to make your visa appliction. Good luck.[/quote]
Thanks all; this had exactly the advice I was looking for, so thanks esepecially Juba.
Want anything from KL?
p.s. Documents to prove have application under way = what exactly?
Copy of application submitted by your employer to the relevant government department. Copies of any correspondence from the relevant government departments to your employer. Maybe a letter from your employer explaining that he/she intends to employ you, and a copy of the employer’s business license. The more, the better.
The Kuala Lumpur TECO office
Suite 8.06-8.07, Level 8, Amoda Building
22, Jalan Imbi
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Phone: (603)2141-9558, 2145-2335
Fax: (603)2142-2186
E-mail: tecoid@tm.net.my
It is a pretty reasonable rate hotel and well situated in KL to let you see a lot of city spots easily like the Central Market, Petaling Street, KL Towers, Petronas Towers, Bintang Walk etc.
[quote]Got a 60-day non-extendable no problem from Bangkok.
Cheers for all the help!
Stray Dog[/quote]
Well done, Stray Dog. You must be breathing a little easier these days. Thanks for letting us know what happened. Did they ask to see proof of money and/or onward ticket?