Key Takeaways
- →MM2H was rebooted in December 2023 with a new 3-tier structure, Silver (USD 150k FD, 5-year visa), Gold (USD 500k FD, 15-year visa) and Platinum (USD 1M FD, 20-year visa), replacing the single-tier rules frozen since 2021.
- →All applicants must be 25 years or older (35+ for Silver under updated MOTAC criteria), prove liquid assets of USD 500k-2M depending on tier, and show monthly offshore income of USD 10k. Up to 50% of the fixed deposit can be unlocked from year 2 onward for property, healthcare or local education.
- →Sarawak runs its own S-MM2H programme with materially lower thresholds (RM 150k FD for under-50s, RM 100k FD for 50+, RM 7k-10k monthly offshore income), a popular workaround for retirees who cannot meet federal Platinum/Gold thresholds.
- →Property purchase minimums vary by state (typically RM 600k-1M, higher in KL/Selangor/Penang) and are separate from MM2H, you still need state EPU approval for foreign purchase. MM2H itself does not grant work rights; Platinum holders may apply for limited work/business permission.
The 2024 MM2H rules replaced the pre-2021 programme. If you are reading older guides quoting "RM 150k / RM 300k FD" or "RM 10k offshore income", those numbers refer to the legacy federal programme that is no longer accepting applications. The current federal scheme uses USD-denominated tiers (Silver / Gold / Platinum). Sarawak MM2H is a separate state-run programme with its own ringgit-denominated rules.
In This Guide
What MM2H Is and How It Has Changed
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is a long-term residency visa for foreigners who want to live in Malaysia without taking up citizenship. It is not a work visa by default, it was designed for retirees, remote-income earners, and high-net-worth families looking for an English-speaking, low-cost, geographically central base in Southeast Asia.
The programme has gone through three distinct eras:
| Era | Rules | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2002-2020 (legacy) | Federal programme under Tourism Malaysia. RM 150k-300k FD, RM 10k monthly offshore income, 10-year visa. ~50,000 holders enrolled. | Closed to new applicants since 2020 |
| 2021-2023 (frozen) | Suspended for review, then relaunched with sharply higher thresholds (RM 1m FD, RM 40k monthly income) under the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN). Caused a wave of cancellations. | Closed, replaced in 2024 |
| 2024 onwards (revised) | New 3-tier USD-denominated structure (Silver / Gold / Platinum) under MOTAC + KDN. Sarawak runs its own state-level S-MM2H. | Active, current programme |
Why the reboot? The 2021 rules killed application volume, only a few hundred approvals in 2022-2023 versus thousands annually pre-pandemic. The 2024 revision was an explicit attempt to win volume back via an entry-level Silver tier while creating a Platinum tier for the wealth-management market that competes with Thailand's Elite Visa, Portugal's D7, and the UAE Golden Visa.
Who runs it:
- MOTAC (Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture), handles policy, fee structure, marketing, and the One-Stop Centre (OSC) processing. - KDN (Ministry of Home Affairs / Immigration), issues the actual visa endorsement and runs background and security vetting. - Approved MM2H agents, licensed companies that prepare and submit applications. You cannot apply directly, agent submission is mandatory.
The 3-Tier Structure, Silver, Gold and Platinum
The 2024 revision introduced three tiers, with thresholds escalating in step with privileges. All amounts are USD-denominated (a deliberate inflation hedge versus the old ringgit thresholds).
Headline comparison:
| Requirement | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 25-35+ (per MOTAC criteria) | 25+ | 25+ |
| Fixed deposit (in Malaysian bank) | USD 150,000 | USD 500,000 | USD 1,000,000 |
| Liquid assets proof | USD 500,000 | USD 1,000,000 | USD 2,000,000 |
| Monthly offshore income | USD 10,000 (~RM 47k) | USD 10,000 | USD 10,000 |
| Visa length | 5 years, renewable | 15 years, renewable | 20 years, renewable |
| Min. stay in Malaysia | 60 days/year | 60 days/year | 60 days/year |
| Property purchase | Allowed (state min. price applies) | Allowed | Allowed |
| Work rights | None | None | Limited work / business permission may be granted |
| Study rights | Children may enrol in private/international schools | Same | Same |
| Local business | Not via MM2H (separate licence) | Not via MM2H | Discretionary, with KDN approval |
| FD partial withdrawal | Up to 50% from year 2 for property / medical / education | Same | Same |
Key things people get wrong:
- The USD 150k Silver deposit is a floor, not a fee, it stays in your name in a Malaysian bank earning interest. The fixed deposit must be locked for the full first year, then up to 50% can be released against approved categories. - The monthly offshore income is verifiable continuing income (pension, dividends, salary, royalties, business distributions) sourced from outside Malaysia and documented for the prior 6-12 months. - Liquid assets are not the same as net worth. They mean cash, fixed deposits, listed securities, and unit trusts, investment property and private business equity typically don't count. - Visa length ≠ residency, MM2H is a long-term social visit pass with multi-entry. It does not lead to PR or citizenship and your tax residency is determined separately by physical presence.
The exact thresholds and fees are reviewed periodically by MOTAC, verify the latest figures on mm2h.gov.my before paying any agent. Several agents continue to advertise outdated numbers.
Sarawak MM2H, A Separate, Lower-Threshold Track
Sarawak operates its own MM2H programme (S-MM2H) under the Sarawak Tourism Board, separate from the federal scheme. The state has historically positioned itself as the affordable retirement track, and its rules were not reset upwards in the 2021 / 2024 federal revisions.
S-MM2H headline rules (as currently published):
| Requirement | Under 50 | 50 and over |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed deposit (in a Sarawak-based bank) | RM 150,000 | RM 100,000 |
| Monthly offshore income | RM 10,000 | RM 7,000 |
| Visa length | 5 years (renewable) | 5 years (renewable) |
| Minimum stay | 30 days/year in Sarawak | 30 days/year in Sarawak |
| Dependants | Spouse, children under 18, plus parents 60+ | Same |
What's special about S-MM2H:
- Materially cheaper, total liquid commitment is roughly 1/15th of federal Silver. - Parent inclusion, Sarawak uniquely allows ageing parents (60+) as dependants, which the federal programme does not. - Sarawak-only residency, the visa is endorsed for Sarawak; you can travel to Peninsular Malaysia as a domestic visitor but you are expected to be domiciled in Sarawak (Kuching, Miri, Sibu, Bintulu). - One personal vehicle import, duty exemption on a personal vehicle, similar to the legacy federal scheme.
Who S-MM2H suits: retirees on a defined pension who are happy to live in Kuching / Miri, digital nomads who like the cost level, and applicants who don't qualify for federal Silver. Who it doesn't suit: anyone who wants to be based in KL, Penang or Johor (you can't legally make Peninsular Malaysia your domicile under S-MM2H without extending or upgrading the visa).
Caveat on figures: Sarawak periodically tweaks the income / FD requirements, and a parallel "Sarawak-MM2H Premium" tier has been floated in state budgets. Always cross-check at sarawaktourism.com or the Sarawak Immigration Department before relying on numbers in any third-party guide.
How to Apply, Step by Step Through MOTAC
MM2H applications are submitted only through licensed MM2H agents registered with MOTAC. Direct submission by applicants is not accepted. Pick an agent from the published list at mm2h.gov.my, agent fees typically range USD 3,000-8,000 plus disbursements.
Process at a glance (federal Silver / Gold / Platinum):
- Pre-screen with an agent, share passport, age, family composition, target tier, source of income, asset profile. Agent checks fit and quotes a fee.
- Prepare documents, passports, marriage certificate, birth certificates for children, 6-12 months bank statements, proof of monthly offshore income, liquid asset confirmation (bank letters / brokerage statements), professional resumé, medical insurance, letter of good conduct from home country police, recent passport photos.
- Conditional approval letter (CAL), agent submits to MOTAC OSC. Processing target: 90 working days (real-world timelines have been 4-6 months in 2024-2025 due to backlog). KDN runs background and security vetting in parallel.
- Travel to Malaysia, once CAL is issued, you have 6 months to enter Malaysia for the visa endorsement step.
- Open the fixed deposit in your name at a Malaysian bank (most major banks have an MM2H desk: Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank, HSBC).
- Medical check at an approved Malaysian clinic / hospital.
- Buy MM2H-compliant medical insurance for all applicants (the under-60 minimums are typically met by mid-tier private cover).
- Submit endorsement documents to Immigration with the agent, passport gets the MM2H social visit pass sticker.
- Visa issued, Silver 5 years, Gold 15 years, Platinum 20 years.
Documents commonly required:
- Passport (≥ 24 months validity). - Marriage certificate (apostilled / legalised) and children's birth certificates if applying as a family. - Bank statements (last 6-12 months) showing the monthly offshore income. - Proof of liquid assets, certificate from a regulated bank / broker on the firm's letterhead. - Letter of Good Conduct / police clearance from country of citizenship (and any country of residence > 12 months). - Medical report from a Malaysian-recognised practitioner (form supplied by agent). - Insurance cover note from a Malaysian licensed insurer. - Personal bond by sponsor (handled by agent).
Common reasons for rejection:
- Liquid asset documentation that mixes property equity into the total. - Monthly income from a single Malaysian-source contract (must be offshore). - Criminal record beyond minor traffic offences. - Inconsistent dates or names across passport / marriage cert / income docs. - Open insolvency / bankruptcy in any country. - Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) screening flags.
Fixed Deposit Rules, What You Can and Cannot Do
The fixed deposit is the financial backbone of MM2H. It is your money, in your name, but it is locked under specific rules to keep your visa valid.
Year-by-year mechanics:
- Year 1: Full deposit (USD 150k / 500k / 1M) must remain locked. No partial withdrawal. - From Year 2 onwards: You can apply to withdraw up to 50% of the original deposit for any of these approved categories, and only these: - Property purchase (within the state minimum-price thresholds). - Healthcare for the principal or any dependant in Malaysia. - Local education for children, Malaysian universities, international schools, private K-12. - For renewal: the remaining 50% must stay locked for the whole visa period and is the basis for renewal at year 5 / 15 / 20. - On cancellation / non-renewal: the deposit is released back to you in full (less any tax / withdrawal penalty), and you are free to repatriate it through normal foreign-exchange rules.
Things to know:
- The deposit earns interest at standard fixed-deposit rates (3-4% in 2024-2025, depending on tenor and bank). Profit is yours. - The bank is your choice, as long as it's a licensed Malaysian bank. Most MM2H holders use Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank, HSBC or Standard Chartered for ease of dealing with branches that have dedicated MM2H teams. - Currency, you fund the deposit in the agreed USD-equivalent amount; the deposit can be held in MYR, USD, or split. Most agents advise holding part in USD to avoid forex risk on cancellation. - Joint deposits for spouse / family work, with primary applicant as account holder. - Tax on interest, Malaysian-source FD interest paid to non-residents is generally subject to no withholding tax for natural persons (a key reason MM2H is popular). Always confirm with a tax adviser as rules evolve.
What you cannot do:
- Use the deposit as collateral for an unrelated loan. - Move it to an offshore bank, it must stay in a Malaysian bank for the visa to remain valid. - Withdraw beyond the 50% post-year-1 cap unless you are cancelling the visa.
On cancellation: Notify your agent → they file the cancellation with KDN → you receive the FD release letter → bank releases funds. Plan for 6-12 weeks end-to-end.
MM2H tier eligibility check
Estimate which 2024 federal tier you qualify for
Highest tier you qualify for
Silver
Visa length: 5 years. FD required: USD 150k.
Required FD by tier:
Silver, USD 150k (liquid assets USD 500k)
Gold, USD 500k (liquid assets USD 1M)
Platinum, USD 1M (liquid assets USD 2M)
Estimate only, figures may differ from official rates. See sources →
Moving your MM2H funds to Malaysia
Wise transfers your fixed deposit and living funds at the mid-market rate with one upfront fee, usually cheaper than a bank telegraphic transfer.
Property Purchase as an MM2H Holder
MM2H is one of the most popular residency programmes worldwide because it pairs with clear, English-language property law and freehold ownership rights for foreigners. But the rules are state-specific and entirely separate from MM2H itself.
Foreign minimum purchase prices (state-level, as of 2026):
| State / Federal Territory | Minimum price (RM) |
|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | 1,000,000 |
| Selangor | 1,500,000-2,000,000 (zone-dependent) |
| Penang (island) | 2,000,000 |
| Penang (mainland / Seberang Perai) | 750,000 |
| Johor | 1,000,000 (most areas; higher in Iskandar zones) |
| Melaka | 500,000-1,000,000 |
| Perak | 1,000,000 |
| Sabah | 1,000,000 |
| Sarawak | 600,000-1,000,000 |
| Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Kedah, Perlis, Terengganu, Kelantan | 600,000-1,000,000 (varies) |
These thresholds change, Selangor revised upwards in recent years and other states are reviewing. Always check the latest state EPU (Economic Planning Unit) circular for the property's location before committing.
What MM2H holders typically buy:
- High-rise condominiums in KL (Mont Kiara, KLCC, Bangsar, TTDI). - Penang island condos (Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Tikus, George Town heritage). - Iskandar / JB premium developments (Mount Austin, Horizon Hills, Puteri Harbour). - Sabah / Kota Kinabalu sea-view condos and gated landed. - Sarawak (under S-MM2H), Kuching landed and condos.
Restrictions you cannot work around:
- Malay Reserved Land (Tanah Rizab Melayu), foreigners cannot purchase, even at price thresholds. - Bumiputera quota units in new developments, even if released, foreign buyers usually need additional state approval. - Agricultural land and quota landed in Selangor / Penang.
Funding the purchase:
- Up to 50% of MM2H FD can be unlocked from year 2 for property purchase. - Foreign-buyer mortgages, most Malaysian banks lend up to 60-70% LTV to MM2H holders, at slightly higher rates than for citizens. Maybank, CIMB, OCBC, HSBC all have foreign-buyer mortgage desks. - RPGT (Real Property Gains Tax) applies on disposal, foreign-individual rates: 30% (years 1-5), 10% (year 6+), reviewed annually in the Budget. Plan exit accordingly.
A common misconception: MM2H does not waive state minimum property prices. A Silver-tier MM2H holder in KL still needs to buy at RM 1m+; the FD partial withdrawal helps with cash flow but not with the threshold.
Tax Treatment for MM2H Holders
Malaysia operates a territorial tax system for individuals, broadly, only Malaysian-source income is taxable. This is the structural reason MM2H is attractive to retirees and remote-income earners. But the rules tightened in 2022 and there are nuances to understand.
Foreign-source income (FSI):
- Pre-2022: Foreign-source income remitted to Malaysia by individual residents was tax-exempt. Headline rule for retirees. - From 1 Jan 2022: A 5-year exemption order keeps most categories of FSI received by individuals tax-exempt (pension, dividends, employment outside Malaysia where tax was paid in source country, rental abroad, etc.), provided conditions are met (most importantly, that the source country has its own tax system). - The exemption order is reviewed periodically. As of the latest published Budget guidance, the regime is in place but may not be permanent, verify with a Malaysian tax adviser before relying on it for long-term planning.
Malaysian-source income (always taxable):
- Salary from a Malaysian employer. - Rental on Malaysian property. - Capital gains on Malaysian property (RPGT). - Business income from a Malaysian-registered business. - Director's fees from a Malaysian company.
Tax residency for individuals:
- You become Malaysian tax resident if you are physically present in Malaysia for 182 days or more in a calendar year (or under "linked period" / "qualifying" rules). - Resident progressive rates run from 0% (first RM 5,000) to 30% (above RM 2 million). - Non-residents are taxed at a flat 30% on Malaysian-source income.
MM2H and tax, common misunderstandings:
- MM2H does not give you tax residency. Only physical presence does. Many MM2H holders deliberately stay under 182 days a year to remain non-resident in Malaysia and resident in their home country (or nowhere). - The 60 days/year minimum stay rule for MM2H is well below tax-residency triggers, so your tax position is independent of your visa. - No wealth tax, no inheritance tax, no capital gains tax on listed securities in Malaysia. - RPGT is the major exception, substantial and filed at point of sale of Malaysian property.
What MM2H holders should do early:
1. Engage a Malaysian tax adviser before starting MM2H, especially if you'll exceed 182 days. 2. Keep clean records of income source, banking, and remittance trails. 3. Watch the FSI exemption order each Budget (October/November announcement). 4. If you are a US citizen, file your US returns regardless, the US is one of the only countries that taxes citizens on global income.
Renewal, Cancellation and Common Reasons for Rejection
Renewal:
- Apply through your agent 6 months before visa expiry. - Requirements: deposit still in place at original level (less any approved 50% withdrawal), valid medical insurance, evidence of compliance with the 60 days/year minimum stay (immigration entry/exit records), updated medical and police clearance from agent's request list. - MOTAC reserves the right to review against the rules current at renewal, historically, applicants under the legacy programme were renewed under their original rules, but the 2021 episode showed this is not guaranteed. The 2024 reboot did not retrospectively force legacy holders into Silver/Gold/Platinum, but a future revision could.
Cancellation (voluntary):
- Notify agent → they file with KDN → return your visa endorsement page → receive FD release letter → bank releases funds. - Plan for 6-12 weeks for the deposit to clear. - No penalty beyond agent admin fees and any forex movement.
Cancellation (involuntary):
- Failure to keep deposit at the required level (e.g., bank-side issues, currency conversion below threshold). - Criminal conviction (anywhere in the world, KDN runs periodic checks). - Failure to meet the 60 days/year minimum stay over the visa term. - Fraud or material misrepresentation on the original application. - Insolvency / bankruptcy proceedings disclosed post-issue.
Common reasons applications fail:
1. Asset documentation that conflates net worth with liquid assets. Investment property, private business equity, and pension lump sums available later don't qualify as "liquid". 2. Income that is partially Malaysian-sourced. The USD 10,000 monthly must be offshore in the documentary sense. 3. Recent name / passport / marital status changes without a clear documentary trail. 4. Politically Exposed Person (PEP) flags in screening. 5. Inconsistencies between agent-prepared CV and supporting documents. 6. Age below the tier minimum, Silver has been positioned as 25+ for general applicants and 35+ in some MOTAC criteria; Gold and Platinum require 25+. Verify with your agent before paying any deposit fee.
Working with agents, what to watch for:
- Use only MOTAC-licensed agents (list on mm2h.gov.my). - Avoid agents promising "guaranteed" approval or 30-day timelines. - Pay agent fees in tranches tied to milestones (CAL, FD opening, endorsement), not 100% upfront. - Get the FD bank account opened in your own name only, never in the agent's name. - Read the appointment letter carefully, especially the cancellation refund clause.
The Road Ahead: Why MM2H Is Set to Get Easier and More Attractive
These are forward-looking predictions, not guarantees, but the momentum behind MM2H points firmly upward, and the next few years look genuinely bright for anyone eyeing Malaysia as a second home.
Processing will get dramatically faster. Expect MOTAC's One-Stop Centre to clear the 2024-2025 backlog and bring the Conditional Approval Letter timeline back toward, and eventually below, the 90-working-day target by 2027, as digital submission and inter-agency data-sharing mature.
The Silver tier will become the regional bargain. As Thailand's Elite Visa and the UAE Golden Visa keep raising prices, Malaysia's entry-level Silver tier is likely to look increasingly generous by 2028, a low-deposit, English-speaking, centrally located base that few competitors can match on value.
Expect a smoother, more transparent agent ecosystem. Tighter MOTAC licensing and published service standards should squeeze out the operators advertising outdated numbers, giving applicants clearer pricing and milestone-based fees by 2027.
Sarawak MM2H will keep punching above its weight. With its lower thresholds and unique parent-inclusion rule, S-MM2H is poised to draw a growing wave of retirees to Kuching and Miri, and a long-floated "Premium" tier could finally launch, broadening the options for those who don't fit federal Platinum.
The ringgit's relative affordability becomes a tailwind. A stable, competitively valued ringgit means MM2H holders' offshore income stretches further on Malaysian property, healthcare and daily living, and moving money in cheaply via a service like Wise makes funding the fixed deposit and living costs simpler than ever. Keeping your FX and rate-monitoring sharp with a comparison tool like RinggitPlus only sweetens the deal.
Digital integration will modernise the holder experience. Renewals, FD partial-withdrawal applications and compliance reporting are all likely to move online by 2029, cutting paperwork and trips to the agent.
Malaysia has every incentive to win the second-home race, and for prospective MM2H holders, the years ahead look like the best time yet to make the move.
MM2H Tier Chooser + MOTAC Application Timeline (2025-26)
Pick your tier by the two gates MOTAC checks first, the fixed deposit (FD) and the mandatory property buy. Since the July 2024 reform, every mainland tier requires you to purchase residential property (beyond locking an FD) and hold it for 10 years. The old RM40,000/month offshore-income and RM1.5m liquid-asset tests were scrapped for the mainland programme, a change most older guides still get wrong.
The chooser, match your budget to a tier
| Tier | Fixed deposit (locked in a MY bank) | Min. property you must buy | Visa | Stay rule (under-50) | Work? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEZ / SFZ | USD 65,000 (age 21-49) / USD 32,000 (50+) | Forest City home ≥ RM 500,000 | 10 yrs, renewable | 90 days/yr cumulative | No |
| Silver | USD 150,000 | RM 600,000 | 5 yrs, renewable | 90 days/yr cumulative | No |
| Gold | USD 500,000 | RM 1,000,000 | 15 yrs, renewable | 90 days/yr cumulative | No |
| Platinum | USD 1,000,000 | RM 2,000,000 | 20 yrs, renewable | 90 days/yr cumulative | Work / business permitted |
| Sarawak (S-MM2H) | RM 500,000 (covers family unit) | No federal-style buy mandate | 5 yrs, renewable | 30 days/yr in Sarawak (main applicant) | No |
Applicants aged 50+ are fully exempt from the 90-day stay rule on the mainland tiers. Up to 50% of the FD can be released after Year 1 against an approved property purchase, healthcare or local education.
Three decision shortcuts
- Tightest budget / Johor-Singapore base → the SEZ/SFZ tier (FD from USD 65k, Forest City home from RM 500k) is the cheapest legal entry and carries a 10-year renewable visa, but it ties you to the Forest City Special Financial Zone.
- Retiree on a pension who fails the mainland buy mandate → go Sarawak. S-MM2H kept an income route (RM10,000/month offshore income, single applicant) or an alternative RM100,000 liquid-savings route, and uniquely lets you include parents aged 60+ as dependants.
- Want the longest visa + the right to work → only Platinum grants the right to work or run a business in Malaysia.
The MOTAC timeline, realistic weeks per stage
Plan ~4-6 months from engaging an agent to the visa sticker, then a separate 12-month window to complete the property purchase.
- Document pack, 4-8 weeks (police clearance is the usual bottleneck)
- Agent submission to the One-Stop Centre, Putrajaya, 1-2 weeks
- MOTAC + KDN review → Conditional Approval Letter (CAL), 4-12 weeks
- Enter Malaysia & fulfil conditions (open FD, medical check, buy insurance), 4-8 weeks
- Visa endorsement, 1-2 weeks; then 12 months from approval to sign the property SPA
> Watch-outs: the property lock-in means you cannot sell for 10 years (you may upgrade to a higher-value home). State minimum foreign-buyer prices can override the federal floor, e.g. parts of Selangor and KL require RM 1m-2m regardless of tier. Verify every figure at mm2h.gov.my; agents still advertise pre-2024 numbers.
Methodology: The chooser keys on the two non-negotiable gates MOTAC screens first, (1) the USD fixed deposit you can lock in a Malaysian bank and (2) the RM minimum-price residential property you must now buy and hold for 10 years, then cross-references the age-based stay obligation (90 cumulative days/year for applicants under 50; 50+ exempt). Income is no longer a federal gate: the July 2024 reform abolished the old RM40,000/month offshore-income and RM1.5m liquid-asset tests for the mainland tiers. The Sarawak (S-MM2H) track is scored separately because it kept an income/savings test and reset its own thresholds on 1 January 2025. Figures verified June 2026 against MOTAC's SEZ guidance, mm2h.com tier tables, Forest City's May 2026 SFZ guidance, InvestSarawak and ASEAN Briefing; cross-check mm2h.gov.my before paying any agent.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CAL (Conditional Approval Letter) | MOTAC's in-principle approval issued after policy and security vetting. It triggers the window to enter Malaysia, open the fixed deposit and complete in-country steps before visa endorsement. |
| Fixed deposit (FD) | A sum locked in your own name at a licensed Malaysian bank that underpins the visa. Up to 50% can be released after Year 1 against approved property, healthcare or education spending. |
| SEZ / SFZ tier | The newest, lowest-cost MM2H category (FD from USD 65,000, carrying a 10-year renewable visa) for buyers in a designated Special Economic / Special Financial Zone, currently Forest City within the Johor-Singapore SEZ, with a Forest City property minimum of RM 500,000. |
| S-MM2H | Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home, a state-run programme administered separately from the federal scheme, with its own thresholds reset on 1 January 2025 (FD RM 500,000), a retained income/savings test, and a 30-day annual stay requirement. |
| Property lock-in | The post-2024 rule requiring every mainland MM2H holder to buy a minimum-price residential property and hold it for 10 years; upgrading to a higher-value home is allowed but outright sale within 10 years is not. |
| One-Stop Centre (OSC) | The MOTAC processing unit in Putrajaya where licensed agents lodge MM2H applications; it coordinates with KDN/Immigration for security clearance. |
This guide is general information, not immigration or financial advice. MM2H rules, fee structures and tier thresholds are reviewed periodically by MOTAC and KDN. Sarawak MM2H is administered separately and changes independently. Always verify current requirements at mm2h.gov.my, sarawaktourism.com, and with a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent before paying any fee or making property / banking commitments.
Sources & References
This guide is cross-referenced against primary official sources, regulatory references, and locally relevant materials.
- Official MM2H Portal (MOTAC) Primary source for current tier rules, fees, agent list and application forms
- Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Policy authority for the federal MM2H programme
- Immigration Department of Malaysia (KDN) In-country visa endorsement, renewal and cancellation; background and security vetting
- Sarawak Tourism Board (S-MM2H) Sarawak-administered MM2H with separate, lower ringgit-denominated thresholds
- LHDN (Inland Revenue Board) Foreign-source income exemption guidance and tax residency rules for MM2H holders
- MOTAC, Official MM2H Guidelines
- MOTAC, Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone MM2H
- MM2H.com, Special Finance Zone MM2H Visa
- Forest City Issues Guidance on SFZ MM2H Requirements (May 2026)
- InvestSarawak, New Requirements for S-MM2H in 2025
- Wise, MM2H Visa Requirements and Benefits: 2026 Guide
Further reading: ASEAN Briefing