I don't think any country can enjoy visa-free travel to OZ, except for NZ PR/Citizens NZ Citizens only

ETA 601 can be a hit or miss nowadays, too many abusers making it harder for Malaysian Passport holders

This post has been edited by polarzbearz: Nov 29 2023, 12:46 AM

No luck to hit the 25% chance and experience instant approval second time applying for 601 and both times also were also requested to submit documents. Maybe because I have an ongoing/pending subclass 190 hence cannot instant-approve

The previous 601 expired dy after having fund times there so planning to do another trip end of the year

Yeah indeed the 190 has everything there. Oh well, process is process, have to follow

Not in rush anyway, so just have to go with the flow

Nice! Good luck with your next one 🤞🏻

Thanks! If all goes well I'll be going to Sydney.

Tho the property crisis and difficulty in securing jobs without local experience is definitely scaring me tho, especially since things are already pretty well established back here

will do!

Yeah I think the age group definitely didn't help, considering how many Malaysians of similar age group overstayed their tourist visa

And nice! Hope you'll be getting the 491 grant soon, the processing time have been going upwards like crazy the last year.

Both the sales market and rental market are going crazy, especially Sydney. In some areas the queue to view units for rental is like people queuing up for concerts. Don't think it's gonna improve anytime soon that's why also dilemma if and when I get my 190

It is very true indeed. It's pretty easy to cover the basic necessities here in Malaysia and once those are covered, everything else really is depending on how one would live their lifestyle. The only reason I'm actively pursuing is only not to leave regrets at the later stage in my life - regretting for not pursuing something I've been wanting to try, for better or worse

Not gonna lie, but the potential downstep from T20 to M40 is indeed a scary one, but still doing everything I can in my capacity and play my cards to hopefully land at least a lateral move. Fingers crossed.


Yeah those backlogs are huge indeed, last I checked (in FB groups with agents and all) that they're still processing April 2023 backlogs. Lodgement after May 2023 should stumble as you said, and hopefully it'll be done before a complete year.

I lodged mine Dec 2023, how about you?

Yeah it'll be independent of job offer. So technically speaking if I can afford a retirement there, I can do it as well. Just financially won't make sense at this stage considering the lifespans ahead of me.

Nice, congratulations on the instant grant! Can always readjust plans within the 12 months period

If you join look at one of the big Malaysians in Australia FB group, the one in mandarin, you'll see all kind of things there then suddenly the clamp down on Malaysians does indeed make sense. Really memperxiasuikan

All the best to both of us! 🙏🙏🙏

Does it work for non-PR holders though? Memory could be bad but I recall Malaysian tourists were routed to manual counter, but then that was my first time there so I was also pretty blur so probably foggy memory

Edit: it was at Melbourne Airport. Don't know about Sydney.

This post has been edited by polarzbearz: Apr 24 2024, 11:11 PM

And that's the part that pisses me off, these abusers makes it hard for legit protection/asylum seekers from Malaysia

Gotta be a headache for sure if it's removed. Malaysians why... Why....

Last I went in September last year, no ABF spotted in KLIA. Now don't know.

Not just airlines system, I guarantee you I've spent countless hours in my career arguing with my global / European counterparts on the whole naming issue (or specifically the lack of proper FN/LN concepts in this part of the world).

Even until today I see people, friends included, keying in their "First Name" with Tan and "Last Name" as Ah Kaw just because it looked natural to them. Don't get me started with Malay & Indian names with genderized "title" in between, or Chinese with nicknames (John Tan Ah Kaw).

But yeah, coming back to passport/visa it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

I legit had a good laugh at those examples. I also remember arguing with my European counterparts about special symbols / characters in names and they're so certain that "there's no way anyone's name has special symbols" (ie below)

Unfortunately given the name of Malaysians it'll be extremely unfavorable situation for you considering your age, since the duty is on you to prove and satisfy to Australia Immigration Officer that you do have strong ties to Home Country and are not incentized to "jump aeroplane" (thanks to the bad apples among us most young adults are considered as high risk group).

As you pointed out the typical proofs are either:-
1. Solid evidence of income / career back home as an incentive to return to
2. Strong financial grounds / assets
3. Strong family ties.

You can probably try to leverage your mortgage ownership but since you don't have a job right now it'll also be hard (ie some ppl jump aeroplane to feed home). Can use parents as strong tie but because you have a sibling (PR) in AU, it also increases your likelihood to have family support to stay in AU. Tho if your brothers record are clean (which should be, as a PR) that should neglect itself.

Time frame wise - I don't recall them specifying other than "please submit ASAP or we will reject". If it helps, I submitted mine on 22 Apr and still pending.

There's also option to withdraw applications pending decision from the immigration portal should you choose not to proceed. But yeah, definitely a headaches because of those other Malaysian... All the best.

Edit: one more thing that I see some people do, is to get the PR:Oz citizen to write an invite letter to you, and clearly state duration of stay, commitment to see you thru and return to Malaysia after the trip, and why the reason to invite you over. But of course, whether if house warming and engagement party is strong enough reason for you to travel over is up to officer to decide.

(Disclaimer: not an immigration agent, please seek proper legal advice if needed)

This post has been edited by polarzbearz: Apr 28 2024, 07:48 PM

Don't know about situation for PH citizen, but I guess the employment contract + both you and your wife's PR status has helped.

There was a migration lawyer in one of the Malaysian in Australia FB group sharing statistics back in March 2023 last year, where there's at least 2000 ETAs rejected on a monthly basis between March 2022 to 2023 which was a staggering jump. Obviously can't take a print screen to share here but if you join the group and search "601 rejected" you'll be surprised (and sad). Past generations of Malaysians are destroying for the future generations, whatever the reasons may be.


https://worldofbuzz.com/most-overstayers-au...ng-the-country/

This post has been edited by polarzbearz: Apr 28 2024, 08:37 PM

Common documents list that are applicable for Malaysia from what I see so far for ETA 601's with Request for Further Information.

• Supplementary questions ==> Form 1554
• National Identity Document (other than Passport)
• Travel Document
• Evidence of the financial status and funding for visit
• Temporary Stay, Evidence of

The wording says "certified copy" but I believe original colour scanned copy works too, at least it worked for me last year (and this year's still pending approval).

Just to update, got my 601 approved today after 11 days (or 8 working days). Now just need good flight / hotel deals

Thanks! Let me check it out, been longing to revisit Hong Kong as well. Hasn't been there since Covid-19.

Haven't quite decided yet actually, was initially considering Perth since it's closer to where I am but haven't planned deeper cause of the whole visa uncertainty / upcoming move / work commitments. Need to find dates to apply leave first

For visitor ETA 601? No renewal provisions as far as I'm aware. Mine lapsed in April and I just reapplied for new ETA again. Has to submit everything again cuz I didn't get the 25% chance of instant approval

For now yeah, planning to just catch some breathers while I still can (I'm still based in Malaysia for now). But hard to plan still as there's too much uncertainty due to work commitments hence hasn't penned things down yet. I'll take notes on the Mandurah area!