" Yes, another question from me. Just wondering if many expat spouses (let''s face it - expat wives) are able to find work and have their dependents'' passes changed to work permits? Is it even possible at all, or are they completely prohibited from looking for work? Just curious. I would like to work, but not sure if I have any skills that would make it worthwhile for an employer to sponsor me. I have a degree in English, and no practical work skills because I moved to my current host country as soon as I graduated, and I''ve been unable to work here. Teaching English? Writing? Editing or proofreading? Any chance at all? Thanks in advance! Jen "

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" Hi Jennifer, Wish I could say it is easy but it is not. As far as I know currently there are extreme limitations as to what kind of work ANY expat can get in Malaysia. Expat jobs are limited to upper management positions. Jobs like Payroll Accountant, Sales Manager, Manager in Engineering, etc are readily available to expats who have the degrees and experience. However I think most people get these jobs by being transferred from their home country within their own organization. Coming on a spouse visa as I did, I can tell you they have it clearly written on the bottom of the visa ""not permitted to do work of any type""or something like that. I''ve heard that includes unpaid work and even volunteering (if you are caught doing unpaid work/volunteering for a position that the company would normally have hired a local to do there could be trouble) The laws here are certainly in favor of the locals, despite the improving economy and shortage of qualified workers. As for what types of jobs you might qualify for in your situation, the job requirements at hotels seem to be not as strict. Hotel jobs are one of the few that foreigners are allowed to hold. If you can speak a foreign language or two (even a little b/c they probably won''t test you anyway) you might be able to get work as a Guest Relations Manager/Sales Manager, helping foreign guests choose rooms, check in and out, as well as other tasks, etc. If you are moving to KL consider yourself lucky, there are more chances to work there than anywhere else. You may just be able to convinve someone to sponsor your work permit once you get there. After they file the papers and get approval (not an easy thing to do), there should be no problem changing your spouse visa over to a work permit. There seems to be lots of jobs here in web design and the ""IT"" profession. If you can do any of that or get trained (lots of good, cheap schools in KL) you may be able to swing something in that area. Good luck! Tina "

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" I worked in KL for 4 years and did know of some wives of expats who found work. It really does depend on having a skill that is in demand and for which a local cannot be found. You then have to find an employer willing to to sponsor a work permit. So it ain''t easy. The people I knew who did it were all in IT. It is not worth the risk of working without one as if anyone reports you, you WILL be deported. The only other option is for you to start a business (restaurant, retail, whatever), for which you must have a Malaysian partner, although they only have to be a director, they don''t have to have a majority shareholding. If you do that, then you can work in your own business. Don''t know if the rules currently require a minimum investment amount. Phil "

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" I had an email from some folks moving here from the US with much the same question. Phil''s comment about opening your own company is valid. It will cost under $1000 to do so, and that opens a lot of doors. There are still ""reserved"" professions which mean you won''t be able to compete with locals, but that doesn''t sound like an issue in your case. It depends entirely on your skills, of course. What you bring to the table. Why should someone hire you (or your company) rather than a local? Lance "

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Hi With reference to the suggestion to open your own company....you will still need a work permit. A few years ago a friend and I opened a small company and even though we were only listed as directors with our local husbands as the ''official'' owners of the company we were told that we were violating our visas (local spouse visa...aka social visa). We were instructed to stop work..which of course we did or we would have been charged/deported for being illegal workers. Another thing you need to keep in mind is if you work you need to work fulltime to get a work permit. The government does not grant permits for part-time employment. Cheers Helen

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