Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Program
A long-term residence visa for retirees wishing to spend their retirement in Malaysia
The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program is a long-term residency scheme that allows foreigners to settle in Malaysia. This visa is designed for retirees, wealthy investors and expats looking to reside in Malaysia in the long term, provided they meet specific financial criteria.
Key Features of MM2H Visa in Malaysia
- Provides a renewable visa with durations ranging from 5 years (silver) to 20 years (platinum), depending on the selected category.
- Enjoy lifestyle benefits with Malaysia’s lower cost of living compared to Western countries like in the US. For example, you can rent an entire two-bedroom apartment in Kuala Lumpur for less than USD 600.
- Enjoy tax benefits on offshore income including pension funds, inheritance, interests, and dividends are tax exempt. Personal items, including pets can even be brought to the country tax-free!
- MM2H holders can include spouses, and unmarried children (in some cases, up to age 34) can be included in the program. You can also bring dependents such as in-laws or parents are also eligible.
- Purchase residential properties in Malaysia (although state approval may be required for purchases in certain areas like Sarawak). After application, you can withdraw up to 50% of your fixed deposit for property purchase, subject to terms and conditions.
- MM2H holders can also register a limited company in Malaysia while retirees can work part-time up to 20 hours per week.
- You can open local bank accounts in Malaysia (foreigners are not allowed to open a bank account without a visa).
MM2H Visa Categories and Requirements
In June 2024, the Immigration Department of Malaysia introduced a three-tiered system with varying requirements and visa duration. Along with these changes, the minimum age requirement has been lowered from 30 to 25.
MM2H Silver Tier
- Fixed deposit requirement: USD 150,000
- Visa validity: 5 years (renewable every 5 years after initial term)
- Minimum property purchase: RM 600,000
- Minimum stay requirement: 90 days per year cumulatively
- Participation fee: RM 1000
- Include your spouse, unmarried children until the age of 35, parents, and parents-in-law.
- Can withdraw up to 50% of the fixed deposit after one year for property purchase, tourism, healthcare, and education.
The MM2H Silver Tier participants are not allowed to work or invest in a business in Malaysia.
MM2H Gold Tier
- Fixed deposit requirement: USD 500,000
- Visa validity: 15 years (renewable every 5 years after initial term)
- Minimum property purchase: RM 1 million
- Minimum stay requirement: 90 days per year cumulatively
- Participation fee: RM 3000
- Include your spouse, unmarried children until the age of 35, parents, and parents-in-law.
- Can withdraw up to 50% of the fixed deposit after one year for property purchase, tourism, healthcare, and education.
The MM2H Gold Tier participants are not allowed to work or invest in a business in Malaysia.
MM2H Platinum Tier
- Fixed deposit requirement: USD 1 million
- Visa validity: 20 years (renewable every 5 years after initial term)
- Minimum property purchase: RM 2 million
- Minimum stay requirement: 90 days per year cumulatively
- Participation fee: RM 200,000
- Include your spouse, unmarried children until the age of 35, parents, and parents-in-law.
- Can withdraw up to 50% of the fixed deposit after one year for property purchase, tourism, healthcare, and education.
The MM2H Platinum Tier participants are eligible to work or invest in a business in Malaysia.
Conditions Under Special Economic and Financial Zones
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has established specific criteria for MM2H programs within the country’s Special Economic Zones. The goal is to promote economic growth through incentives and infrastructure support. These zones are strategically located near economic hubs such as Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone or East Coast Economic Region and Northern Corridor Economic Region.
MM2H Under SEZ/FEZ
- Fixed Deposit Requirement: USD65,000 for under 50 years, USD32,000 for 50 and above
- Visa Validity: 10 years (renewable)
- Minimum Property Purchase: RM600,000
- Minimum Stay Requirement: 90 days per year cumulatively
- Participation Fee: RM1,000
- Include your spouse, unmarried children until the age of 35, parents, and parents-in-law.
- Can withdraw up to 50% of the fixed deposit after one year for property purchase, tourism, healthcare, and education.
- Not permitted to work without a separate work permit
Required Documents for Malaysia My Second Home Visa (MM2H) Application
Here’s what you need for a Malaysia My Second Home Visa application:
- Completed MM2H application form for both main applicant and dependents.
- Letter of application (cover letter) to explain your purpose for joining the MM2H program. This includes your dependents (if any) and financial capabilities.
- Resume/CV of the main applicant including academic qualifications, working experiences, and any skills or expertise.
- Six recent passport-sized photographs sized 3.5×5.0cm or 99x142px with blue background
- Colored passport copies from front to back (including dependents). If you renewed your passport within the last year, include a copy of your previous passport.
- Proof of financial capability including bank statements and fixed deposit certificates.
- Letter of Good Conduct (LOGC) issued by the Police Department or Security Agencies from your country of origin or domicile country.
- Marriage certificate for your spouse or Birth certificate for your children as proof of relationship when applying for dependents.
- Proof of medical insurance coverage.
- Evidence of purchasing property (if applicable).
Keep in mind that all official documents must be in English (or translated to English) and validated by the relevant embassy or high commission. If the original documents are not in English, they must be translated by a qualified translator in your country of origin, domicile country, or Malaysia.
Interested in relocating to Malaysia? Fill out the form below and get in touch with one of our own relocation experts in Malaysia!
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Sohaib Ikram
Sohaib Ikram serves as the Director of Emerhub in Malaysia.
FAQs about MM2H Visa in Malaysia
It primarily depends on the type of MM2H visa. If you’re a Silver or Gold tier holder, you’re restricted from direct employment with a Malaysian company. However, Platinum tier pass holders are allowed to start their own business or invest in the country. To be eligible to work in Malaysia as an MM2H pass holder, you need to be over 50 and require permission from the Immigration department. If your goal is full-time employment for a Malaysian company as an MM2H pass holder, exploring alternative visa options such as work visas or expatriate visas would be necessary.
As an MM2H visa holder, you are required to hold the property you purchase for a minimum of 10 years. You are not allowed to sell the property for 10 years unless you upgrade to a more expensive property. This requirement is part of the conditions introduced in the program revamp effective June 2024.
Yes, the MM2H program offers the flexibility to apply while you are already in Malaysia on a tourist visa. Many foreigners choose to stay in the country while waiting for their MM2H approval, as approvals are often obtained within 90 working days.
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