TL;DR: The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme offers a long-term residency path for foreigners. The current system is split into three main tiers: Silver (5-year visa, USD 150,000 deposit), Gold (15-year visa, USD 500,000 deposit), and Platinum (20-year visa, USD 1,000,000 deposit). All tiers require a mandatory property purchase that must be held for at least 10 years, and a physical stay of at least 90 days per year in Malaysia. Offshore income verification is no longer required.
MM2H Tiers & Financial Requirements
| Category | Visa Duration | Required Fixed Deposit | Minimum Property Purchase | Working Rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | 5 Years (Renewable) | USD 150,000 | RM 600,000 (~USD 135,000) | No |
| Gold | 15 Years (Renewable) | USD 500,000 | RM 1,000,000 (~USD 225,000) | No |
| Platinum | 20 Years (Renewable) | USD 1,000,000 | RM 2,000,000 (~USD 450,000) | Yes (Work or Business) |
1. Mandatory Fixed Deposit Rules
To qualify for the MM2H visa, applicants must open a fixed deposit (FD) account with a licensed Malaysian bank in US Dollars.
- Principal Holding: The fixed deposit must remain intact for the first year of the visa.
- Partial Withdrawal: After one year, participants can withdraw up to 50% of the principal amount.
- Approved Expenses: Withdrawals are strictly limited to purchasing a home in Malaysia, children's education inside the country, or local medical expenses.
- Minimum Balance: A minimum of 50% of the original deposit must remain in the account at all times during the visa period.
2. Mandatory Property Purchase Rules
Unlike older versions of the programme where buying a home was optional, the current regulations make property purchase compulsory for all mainland tiers.
- Timeline: Applicants must buy a residential property in Malaysia and obtain the title deeds within one year of their MM2H visa endorsement.
- Holding Period: The purchased property cannot be sold or transferred for at least 10 years from the purchase date.
- Upgrading Exemption: You may sell the property before the 10-year mark only if you immediately purchase a new residential property of a higher value.
- Minimum Price Limits: The minimum purchase value varies by tier (RM 600,000 for Silver, RM 1 million for Gold, and RM 2 million for Platinum).
3. Eligibility & General Requirements
- Minimum Age: 25 years or older for the main applicant.
- Physical Stay: The main applicant or spouse must spend a cumulative total of at least 90 days per year physically residing in Malaysia.
- Dependents: You can include your spouse, parents, parents-in-law, disabled children of any age, and unmarried children under 34 years of age who are not employed in Malaysia.
- No Self-Submission: Applications can no longer be submitted directly by individuals to the immigration department. You must apply through a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agency.
Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Alternative
If the mainland financial thresholds are too high, applicants can look into the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) pathway (such as Forest City in Johor).
- Lower Thresholds: Requires a significantly lower fixed deposit (often starting around USD 32,000 to USD 65,000 depending on specific zone guidelines).
- Property Limits: Minimum property purchase threshold is lower (usually starting at RM 500,000).
- Age Limit: The minimum age for the main applicant is lowered to 21 years.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Select a MOTAC-Licensed Agent: Verify their license number on the official MOTAC website before paying any consultation fees.
- Submit Document Dossier: Provide certified copies of passports, Letter of Good Conduct (police clearance certificate), marriage/birth certificates for dependents, and bank statements.
- Receive Conditional Approval: MOTAC will process the background check and issue a Conditional Approval Letter.
- Complete In-Country Requirements: Travel to Malaysia to open the USD Fixed Deposit account, purchase local medical insurance, and complete a medical check-up.
- Visa Endorsement: Pay the visa fee and submit the bank confirmation to the Immigration Department to obtain the MM2H passport sticker.
- Purchase Property: Complete your home purchase within 12 months of the visa endorsement date.
References
- Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Malaysia: www.motac.gov.my
- Malaysia Immigration Department (MM2H Division): imi.gov.my
- Malaysia My Second Home Official Portal: www.malaysia.gov.my
