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Is it worth going back to Kuala Lumpur for my visa approval or should I proceed with my original plan to go to Penang?

Visa Run Non-B Visa Thailand Visa Process Kuala Lumpur Embassy Penang Visa Expat Visa Advice Visa Approval Issues

Oct 7, 2017

7 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi guys. Had an issue in KL last month where they didn't want to approve my non -b visa overnight as usual due to being south African. I have just had paperwork redone and booked a visa run for penang on Sunday. I have just received a mail from KL embassy stating that my visa is now approved and ready for collection. This would still require two nights there and additional expenses. Is it worth going back to KL or just going through penang as its cheaper and all is ready? So frustrating,  but wanting to do things properly.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user faced complications with obtaining a Non-B visa at the Kuala Lumpur embassy due to their nationality (South African). After redoing paperwork, they received confirmation that their visa has been approved and is ready for collection, but this requires a return trip to KL, incurring more costs. The user is contemplating whether to make the trip to KL or proceed with a cheaper option in Penang. Commenters suggest varying strategies, including going back to KL for safety given the visa approval, while others suggest sticking to Penang to avoid further complications and costs.

Johnsuma ******

sure, there is a chance that penang check there so they will tell him to go get the visa that is waiting him...

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Johnsuma ******

perhaps yes, but i hear already that KL were the central main branch of imm services.

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Tod *********

I doubt seriously that Penang would know he's already applied in KL. Those consulates don't seem to communicate all that much and there is no data base that they share amongst themselves.

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Tod *********

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Tod *********

Personally I'd go back to KL and get the visa stamped in.

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Johnsuma ******

if you paid for the visa at KL go get it there, no need to go Penang.

and if not paid already you can go Penang to get one.

(you will have to wait it also so better stay there till they give you!)

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Shahin **********

You could always spend some time in Penang regardless and then go over to KL to pick up your visa.

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Nigel *********

That sounds an excellent compromise.

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Helmut *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks. I was looking forward to seeing the place anyway.

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Helmut *******

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Nigel *********

I'm terribly sorry, but am I the only one who can't make sense of this post?

How can you apply in KL without paying ?

I'm sorry, it's probably obvious, but I, for one, can't see what happened here with your Visa.

To answer the question you asked, if your visa has been approved in KL then go to KL.

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Nigel *********

Ok

. Thanks for clearing that up. Actually sounds like they're trying to be helpful. I know it doesn't seem that way, but, they could have just taken your money and simply refused you the next day. Good luck with your application.

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Helmut *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I had an issue at the KL embassy whee they did not want to process my visa overnight as per usual due to me being south african. The paperwork and everything was correctly prepared and they took in the paperwork saying that they would try to get it sorted out anyway. They said that I would have to come back to pay, drop off and collect if they could. They did not sound like they were going to be successful, despite everything being in order. In the meantime, i prepared a new set of paperwork to go on a visa run as i expected to never hear from them. I was planning on travelling by minibus to penang to do this on Sunday. I then received an email this morning from the embassy in KL stating that my application had been approved. My query was:is it worth me spending more money to travel back to Kl, where i had this issue before as opposed to sticking to my plan with bookings and going through penang. I just don't want to have another issue, where all is organised and in order.

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Helmut *******

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Reiner *********

Sorry , but if u paid nothing till now, how the start working...sounds a bit strange to me.....

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Ron *******

All that work with no payment?

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Amornrat **********

no, some Thai Embassy will accept your application and send to MFA in Bangkok for approval. The time frame is about 3-4 weeks processing time. As every Embassy decide themselves which country they serve or refuse it make sense to them. For us it does not make sense but for them it does.

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Amornrat **********

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Amornrat **********

Go to KL.

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Graham *********

Hey Helmut. Your post seems pretty clear to me. Would it not be safer to go to KL as it has already been processed and paid?

And, as it is already done, you could do a same day trip? Because visa collections are done in the afternoon, you could take an early flight and come back that evening? Good luck 🤞

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Helmut *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Not yet.

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Reiner *********

What ...paid ? U can not get the money back in any case

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Reiner *********

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Ron *******

Have you paid for this visa in KL? If you have, you won't get your money back.

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Helmut *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks they just did not want to approve it overnight and I thought they were just tossing it. I have since redone the paperwork, which was all correct and pre-approved . KL seem to have it sorted now, but not sure whether to travel there or go to penang with new paperwork as planned. The mail saying it was approved just arrived this morning. Only issue is KL is an expensive trip and I don't want to go back and get messed around again.

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Reiner *********

Helmut , u need to bring it early morning and can pic it up the next day after

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pm in every consulate or embassy...not earlier....and they will prove all papers upfront if u gave it to them...if not correct the send u back....any way ...I can tell u Jimys is the agent who fix all an u dint need to wait ..just give the papers early morning and pick it up next day after

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pm sure !

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Reiner *********

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Reiner *********

Normaly the approval in Penang or KL needs from the morning u bring all your papers from the companies and the receipt from the office of labor with your passport and they check it till the next day after 2 pm so .....where is the problem....did u left KL without ?....yes is its proved just go and get the stamp ....but I think it needs a night to stay in KL or in Penang. But if u go to Penang use Jimys Places agency....they fix it for a small amount

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Linden *******

Pennang is the place ur from SA they like annoying people from SA u will probably get singled out at border to. Try to ignore it and enjoy ur travel

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Reiner *********

Where is the prove ?

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Reiner *********

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Ron *******

I'm confused with what the OP is actually asking?

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Robert ********

Let us hope the Non-B visa and work permit are not for a job teaching English ;-)

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Robert *******

For me it is to early to be drunk, I use nothing else than alcohol.

*****

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Ron *******

He's saying his visa is ready for collection but thinking of going somewhere else and starting again as it's cheaper? I've no idea what he's on?

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Robert *******

Look to me he thinks a visa run for Penang and on arrival he gets his Non B stamped in his passport and can directly return to Thailand, so a cheap way to go. In KL he has to stay overnight and that cost money.

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Robert *******

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Robert *******

Why start the process again? Also Penang take a few days to process the application, so overnights and additional expenses should be the same. I guess you already paid KL for the Visa, so in the end it will be cheaper.

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Ron *******

If I'm understanding your post right, why would you go to KL when your visa is already approved in Penang?

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Ron *******

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