However, that does not mean their applications are guaranteed to be approved, he said.

“This is because each application must undergo the regular process, and approval is granted only if it meets the necessary conditions.

“If the application process fails, the applicants themselves suffer the consequences, as they are the clients of these agents.

“That is why some clients or prospective MM2H programme participants feel cheated by their agents. Eventually, the agents lose contact with their clients, leaving them with no way to recover the payments made,” he said in a Facebook post.

In such instances, he said, it turns out that the “agent” or “company” does not even have a valid address or phone number.

Yesterday, The Star reported that recent changes in regulations by the ministry have placed more than 20 MM2H agents in a difficult position, as they face suspension of their business operations because of a halt in licence renewals.

Tiong previously announced that the ministry would regulate agents or consultancy companies for the MM2H programme, requiring all agents to re-register.

He said the ministry would scrutinise the backgrounds of existing agents, and those deemed unsuitable would not have their operating licences renewed.

The ministry plans to standardise the fees collected by agencies, but a final decision has not been made.

Tiong also said the renewal of visas for MM2H pass holders is unrelated to the agent licensing.

“For MM2H pass holders whose passes have expired, they can directly contact the one-stop centre at the ministry to renew them.

“I have also instructed the department under the ministry to assist applicants in renewing their passes during this transition period, so there should be no issues like being unable to renew passes and similar problems,” he said.

He said MM2H programme agents must wait for the latest regulations to be issued before resubmitting applications and registering with the ministry.