The short answer
As at October 2026, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is a long-term pass, not permanent residence. The federal programme has four categories:
- Platinum: USD 1,000,000 fixed deposit, 20-year pass
- Gold: USD 500,000, 15-year pass
- Silver: USD 150,000, 5-year pass, renewable
- Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone (SEZ/SFZ): USD 65,000 at age 21 to 49, USD 32,000 at 50 and above, 10-year pass
Every federal category must buy a home in Malaysia and keep it for 10 years. The SEZ category buys only new property in Forest City, Johor, after approval and before the pass is endorsed.
You can bring your spouse, your children (under 21, or unmarried and not working up to 34, or disabled at any age), your parents and your spouse's parents. If you are under 50, the 90 days a year are counted across the family, so the rule is met if one parent spends 90 days here in a year. At 50 or older there is no minimum stay. Only Platinum may work or bring a domestic helper.
One point most guides miss: MM2H does not override the minimum price a state sets for foreign buyers. The home has to meet both, so in practice the higher one applies. On Silver in Kuala Lumpur you still need a home of at least RM 1,000,000, and in Selangor's main districts at least RM 2,000,000, bought from a developer. To check which homes clear both lines, WhatsApp Shyan Yee at +60 17-279 8932. Want me to work it out for your own case? WhatsApp +60 17-279 8932.
The four federal categories at a glance
| Platinum | Gold | Silver | SEZ/SFZ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age of main applicant | 25 | 25 | 25 | 21 |
| Fixed deposit | USD 1,000,000 | USD 500,000 | USD 150,000 | USD 65,000 (age 21–49); USD 32,000 (50+) |
| Can withdraw after approval | Up to 50% | Up to 50% | Up to 50% | Up to 50% |
| Must buy a home of at least | RM 2,000,000 | RM 1,000,000 | RM 600,000 | New property in Forest City, Johor, at Johor's minimum of RM 1,000,000 (a serviced apartment below that needs special state approval and a levy of at least RM 50,000) |
| Pass length | 20 years, renewable | 15 years, renewable | 5 years, renewable | 10 years, renewable |
| Minimum stay | 90 days a year if under 50; none from 50 | Same | Same | Same |
| Work or business on the pass | Allowed | Separate pass needed | Separate pass needed | Not allowed |
| Foreign domestic helper | Allowed | — | — | — |
| One-time participation fee | RM 200,000 | RM 3,000 | RM 1,000 | RM 1,000 |
| Renewal fee | RM 5,000 | RM 3,000 | RM 1,500 | RM 300 |
The deposit must sit in a bank licensed under the Financial Services Act 2013 or the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013. Since the May 2025 announcement the government encourages placing it in ringgit, at the equivalent of the US dollar figure. The official overview states there is no tax on foreign funds or income, or on the profit from fixed deposits in Malaysia; how LHDN treats your other income is set out under tax below.
Comparing two entry points for a 40-year-old: Silver locks up USD 150,000 and lets you buy anywhere that clears both minimums. The SEZ category locks up USD 65,000, which is USD 85,000 less, but the home must be new in Forest City. After approval, half of each can be drawn: USD 75,000 on Silver, USD 32,500 on SEZ. The other half stays in the bank for as long as you hold the pass. Not sure which one here suits you? WhatsApp +60 17-279 8932.
Who you can bring
Clients usually ask me this first, and MM2H is more generous here than most people expect.
| Family member | Allowed? | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | Yes | Husband or wife |
| Children (natural, step or adopted) under 21 | Yes | — |
| Children aged 21 to 34 | Yes | Unmarried and not working in Malaysia |
| Children with a disability | Yes, any age | Doctor's certificate |
| Parents, and your spouse's parents | Yes | — |
| Foreign domestic helper | Platinum only | — |
Dependants do not pay the participation fee. Each dependant pays a processing fee of RM 2,500, and everyone over 18 needs a police good-conduct certificate. Registered children can study up to university level at government-recognised schools and universities, on the MM2H pass or with a student pass issued automatically. If the main participant dies, the pass can be transferred to a registered next of kin.
The MM2H website and the programme terms both set the age band at 21 to 34, so a child stops being a dependant on turning 35. A son who is 33 today can stay on the family's pass for about two more years.
How long you must stay
| Main applicant's age | Federal MM2H | Sarawak | Sabah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 | 90 days a year, counted across the family | 30 days a year in Sarawak | 30 days a year in Sabah |
| 50 and above | No minimum on the official overview | 30 days a year in Sarawak | 30 days a year in Sabah |
The official overview counts the 90 days between the main applicant, the spouse and the dependants. So the rule is met if one parent spends 90 days here in a year.
How the family total works for a Silver family based in Singapore: the father flies in for 20 days in March, and the mother brings the children for 70 days from June to August. Between them the family reaches 90 days, even though neither parent stayed 90 days alone.
Age changes the picture. A 55-year-old on Gold who comes only for Chinese New Year still meets the federal rule, because there is no minimum stay from 50. The same person on Sarawak's S-MM2H would still need 30 days a year in Sarawak.
The home you must buy
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Minimum price | RM 2,000,000 (Platinum), RM 1,000,000 (Gold), RM 600,000 (Silver) |
| Deadline | Within 1 year after the pass is endorsed |
| Selling | Not within 10 years, except to buy a more expensive home |
| Using the deposit | After approval, up to 50% of the deposit can pay for the home you buy under the programme |
| A home you already own | The deposit can pay for it only if you bought it within 2 years before the pass was endorsed and it meets the category minimum |
| SEZ category | Only new property bought from the developer in Forest City, Johor, after approval and before the pass is endorsed; no subsale; Johor's minimum of RM 1,000,000 for foreigners applies (a serviced apartment below that needs special state approval and a levy of at least RM 50,000) |
| Breaking the rules | The pass can be revoked |
With real dates: if your pass is endorsed on 1 March 2027, the purchase must be complete by the end of February 2028, and you cannot sell for ten years from your purchase unless you upgrade to a more expensive home. Buying new from a developer also gives you the Housing Development Act's standard terms: delivery of a strata home within 36 months of the agreement, damages of 10% a year of the price for late delivery, and 24 months of defect repairs after you get the keys.
Two minimum prices, and you must clear both
MM2H sets its own minimum. Each state sets a separate minimum for every foreign buyer, and an MM2H participant is still a foreign buyer. The higher of the two is the one that matters.
| Where you buy | MM2H Silver minimum | State / territory minimum for foreigners | What you actually need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | RM 600,000 | RM 1,000,000, with consent from the land authority | RM 1,000,000 |
| Selangor (main districts) | RM 600,000 | RM 2,000,000, strata only (RM 1,000,000 in Hulu Selangor and Sabak Bernam) | RM 2,000,000 |
| Johor | RM 600,000 | RM 1,000,000; application fee RM 2,000 per title plus an approval levy of 3% of the price on a developer purchase (minimum RM 30,000) | RM 1,000,000 |
| Forest City, Johor (SEZ category) | Price set for the SEZ development | RM 1,000,000; a serviced apartment below that only with special state approval | RM 1,000,000, or a serviced apartment approved below it |
| Penang | RM 600,000 | RM 500,000 for MM2H participants, homes only, up to two units (other foreigners: RM 1,000,000 for island strata, RM 3,000,000 for island landed) | RM 600,000 |
| Perak | RM 600,000 | USD 150,000 per unit for MM2H participants (Perak circular 01/2026) | USD 150,000 or RM 600,000, whichever is higher in ringgit |
In Selangor, MM2H participants also buy only one home for their own use, from a developer, in an area the state designates.
So in Kuala Lumpur, Silver and Gold face the same floor: RM 1,000,000. In Selangor's main districts every category needs RM 2,000,000, so the category only changes the deposit, not the home. My state-by-state minimum price guide has the other states.
A worked example: Silver, buying in Kuala Lumpur
A 45-year-old applicant with a spouse and two children under 21 joins on Silver and buys a RM 1,000,000 condominium in Kuala Lumpur.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fixed deposit | USD 150,000 (or the ringgit equivalent) |
| Part of the deposit that can go to the home after approval | Up to 50%, USD 75,000 |
| Participation fee | RM 1,000 |
| Processing fees | RM 5,000 + 3 × RM 2,500 = RM 12,500 |
| Online system fee | RM 500 per application, before SST |
| One-off government fees above, together | RM 14,000 before SST |
| Pass fee | RM 500 a year, on top |
| Stamp duty on the transfer at the foreign rate of 8% | RM 80,000 |
| Stamp duty on the loan agreement | 0.5% of the loan |
| Lawyer's fee for the sale agreement, buying from a developer | RM 7,312.50 before service tax (65% of the RM 11,250 standard scale, Solicitors' Remuneration Order 2023) |
The 8% stamp duty is the line most families forget to budget for. My stamp duty guide has the full scale.
Every government fee
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Participation fee (once) | RM 200,000 Platinum, RM 3,000 Gold, RM 1,000 Silver and SEZ | Main applicant only |
| Processing fee | RM 5,000 main applicant; RM 2,500 each dependant | Main applicant and each dependant |
| Online system fee (from 1 August 2025) | RM 500 per application, before SST | Applicant |
| Visa fee | RM 0 to RM 50 | Depends on nationality |
| Fixed pass fee | RM 500 a year | Charged for each year of the pass |
| Renewal fee | RM 5,000 Platinum, RM 3,000 Gold, RM 1,500 Silver, RM 300 SEZ | Main applicant |
The agent's own fee is separate from these government fees. Before you hire an agent, ask for the fee, and what it covers, in writing.
For a Silver family of four (two parents, two children), the one-off government fees come to RM 14,000 before SST: participation RM 1,000, processing RM 12,500 and the online system fee RM 500. The fixed pass fee of RM 500 a year and the visa fees are paid on top.
Work, business and study
- Platinum: may work and run a business on the MM2H pass.
- Gold and Silver: need to apply for the relevant employment or business pass separately.
- SEZ: work and business are not allowed.
- Children: can study at government-recognised institutions up to university level.
Take a Gold couple in their forties. Their USD 500,000 deposit and RM 1,000,000 home give them 15 years of residence, but not the right to work. If one of them later takes a job in Kuala Lumpur, that person still needs an employment pass, like any other foreign worker. On Platinum, the USD 1,000,000 deposit brings the right to work on the MM2H pass itself. On the SEZ category, at USD 65,000 or USD 32,000, work and business are not allowed at all. If you plan to keep earning here, settle this before you choose a category.
For study, a 19-year-old on the family pass can enrol at a government-recognised university on the MM2H pass or a student pass issued automatically. MOTAC's client charter target for permission to study is 14 working days.
What you need to apply
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Licensed agent | Every federal application goes through an MM2H agent licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (MOTAC) |
| Where | The MM2H One Stop Centre, through the online system |
| Income proof | Offshore income requirement dropped in the 2024 terms, but the authorities may ask for employment or income details |
| Police certificate | Main applicant and every dependant over 18, from the home country or country of residence, at least 6 months' validity left |
| Documents | Form IM.12, passport pages, proof of family relationship, all translated into English and certified |
| Security vetting | Royal Malaysia Police vetting; random interviews since 2025 |
| Medical | Check-up at a MOTAC-appointed clinic after approval, for the applicant and dependants |
| Insurance | Health insurance for anyone aged 60 or younger, from approval (within 90 days of the conditional approval letter) and again at renewal |
| Nationality | From a country with diplomatic relations with Malaysia |
Giving false information is an offence under the Immigration Act, with a fine of up to RM 10,000, up to 5 years' jail, or both.
For the police certificate, count back six months from its expiry. A certificate valid until 30 June 2027 has to go in by the end of December 2026.
What that looks like for one family: a couple with children aged 22 and 17 needs three police certificates (both parents and the 22-year-old). The 22-year-old must be single and not working in Malaysia to stay on the pass. All four go for the medical check-up after approval.
Step by step, and how long it takes
- Pick a licensed MM2H company. New applicants cannot apply on their own; the application must go through a company licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (MOTAC).
- The company files online. Since 1 August 2025 new applications go through the MM2H online system, which carries a separate online system fee of RM 500 per application before SST. Since 1 October 2025 the company books its One Stop Centre visits through an online appointment system.
- Screening. Every application goes through Royal Malaysia Police security screening, and the police may interview applicants at random.
- Conditional approval. Your agent receives the conditional approval letter. MOTAC's client charter target is 90 working days from a complete application, subject to the bank's confirmation.
- Within 90 days of that letter, prepare the fixed deposit certificate, health insurance if you are 60 or younger, the medical check-up report from a MOTAC panel clinic for you and each dependant, a personal bond stamped at LHDN (RM 10 stamp duty), and a valid passport.
- Pay and get endorsed. Pay the processing, participation, pass and visa fees, and the MM2H pass is endorsed in your passport. The one-year clock to buy your home starts here.
| Service after you join | MOTAC client charter |
|---|---|
| Renewal (5-year extension) | 30 working days |
| Fixed deposit withdrawal | 3 working days |
| Termination | 3 working days |
| Permission for a child to study | 14 working days |
| Moving the pass to a new passport | 1 working day |
A realistic calendar: submit a complete file on 1 February 2027, and 90 working days lands in about mid-June 2027. You then have 90 days, to mid-September, to place the deposit, finish the medical check-ups and insurance, and stamp the bond, before endorsement starts your one-year home clock.
A policy from a Malaysian insurer, or an overseas policy with worldwide cover, is accepted. MOTAC publishes a list of insurers you may use, but the list is not compulsory.
Tax while you live here
- MM2H does not decide your tax residence. LHDN counts days: 182 days or more in Malaysia in a year generally makes you tax resident; less than that, generally not.
- Rent from a Malaysian home: a non-resident pays a flat 30% with no reliefs, filed on Form M; a resident is taxed at the normal scale rates with reliefs.
- Money you bring in from abroad: foreign income received in Malaysia by a resident individual is exempt until 31 December 2036, other than partnership income, provided it was taxed in the country it came from. The extension from 2026 to 2036 is law: the Income Tax (Exemption) (No. 5) Order 2022 (Amendment) Order 2024, made on 11 December 2024 and in force from 1 January 2027.
- Interest on the fixed deposit: the official MM2H overview states there is no tax on the profit from fixed deposits in Malaysia.
- Selling the home: real property gains tax applies as for any foreigner; see RPGT rates in 2026.
Same pass, two outcomes: a retiree on Silver spends 200 days a year in Penang and is generally tax resident. If her foreign pension was taxed where it was paid and is not partnership income, it is tax-free when she brings it in. Her brother, also on Silver, spends 60 days a year here and lets out a second flat: he files Form M and pays 30% of the net rent, RM 7,200 on RM 24,000.
Leaving the programme and the deposit
- While you are in: up to 50% of the fixed deposit can be withdrawn after approval, for a home, education or medical costs in Malaysia, or tourism in Malaysia.
- When you leave: the rest of the deposit comes out only after MOTAC cancels the pass and issues a termination letter, which you give to the bank. MOTAC's target for a termination is 3 working days from a complete submission.
- Breaking the rules: failing to buy within a year, or selling within 10 years except to move to a more expensive home, breaks the terms, and the terms say a breach can lead to the pass being revoked.
A Gold family shows how the money moves. The USD 500,000 deposit goes into a Malaysian bank. After approval they draw USD 250,000 towards the home and school fees, and the other USD 250,000 stays put. Years later, when the family leaves, the termination letter goes to the bank and the remaining USD 250,000 is released.
Sarawak and Sabah run their own programmes
East Malaysia has separate schemes with lower deposits but different conditions.
| Sarawak S-MM2H | Sabah MM2H (Silver) | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 30 | 25 |
| Fixed deposit | RM 500,000 in a designated Sarawak bank (keep at least RM 250,000 after approval) | RM 500,000 (Gold USD 500,000; Platinum USD 1,000,000) |
| Deposit withdrawal | After one year, up to 50%, for a home in Sarawak, a car, medical costs or children's education | After one year, up to 50%, for a home, education or medical costs |
| Income | Pension or income of RM 10,000 a month (RM 15,000 with dependants), or savings of RM 100,000 (RM 200,000 with dependants) | RM 10,000 a month single, RM 15,000 with family |
| Family you can bring | Spouse, parents, children aged 21 and below, children with a disability at any age | Spouse, parents, parents-in-law, children under 21 or full-time students who do not work |
| Must buy a home | No; if you do, at least RM 600,000 in Kuching, RM 500,000 elsewhere | Yes, high-rise, at least RM 600,000 (Gold RM 1,000,000; Platinum RM 2,000,000) |
| Selling the home | — | Not within 10 years; after 5 years, allowed if you buy a home of equal or higher value |
| Stay | 30 days a year in Sarawak | 30 days a year in Sabah |
| Pass | 5 + 5 years | 5 + 5 years (Gold 15, Platinum 20) |
| Work | Part-time in approved sectors, up to 20 hours a week | Not on Silver or Gold; Platinum allowed |
| Medical insurance | Local medical insurance for anyone under 60 | Required |
| Domestic helper | — | Allowed under current practice |
| Processing fee | RM 5,000 | RM 3,000 (Platinum RM 200,000) |
Sarawak's guideline excludes applicants from Israel and North Korea; Sabah's Silver page excludes Israel, Nigeria and Bangladesh. Both require a local licensed agent or sponsor.
Who Sarawak suits: a retired couple in their fifties who want a base in Kuching without buying. They put RM 500,000 in a Sarawak bank and must keep at least RM 250,000 there after approval. After a year they may draw up to half, RM 250,000, for a car, medical bills or a home in Sarawak. They need no home purchase and spend 30 days a year in Sarawak. If they do buy, the home must be at least RM 600,000 in Kuching.
Which category fits whom
This is how I usually sort it out with clients.
- You are under 50 and want the smallest deposit. The SEZ category asks USD 65,000 at age 21 to 49, against USD 150,000 on Silver, but you can only buy new in Forest City. If you want to live in Kuala Lumpur, Silver is the lowest deposit that lets you, and the state rule means you buy at least RM 1,000,000 anyway, so compare the deposit, not the home price.
- You are 50 or older and want somewhere to spend winters. Silver or Gold, because there is no stay minimum at your age; pick by how much deposit you are comfortable locking in.
- You want to work or run a company here. Platinum is the only category that allows it on the pass. On Gold or Silver, budget for a separate work or business pass; on SEZ it is not allowed.
- You need a domestic helper for an elderly parent. Platinum, or Sabah.
- You do not want to be forced to buy. Sarawak is the only programme where buying is optional.
- You are looking at the SEZ category for the low deposit. It only lets you buy new property from the developer in Forest City, at Johor's minimum of RM 1,000,000 (a serviced apartment below that needs special state approval and a levy of at least RM 50,000), with no subsale and no selling for 10 years. Look hard at where you would really want to live before taking that route.
Mistakes families make
- Choosing the category before choosing the home. In Kuala Lumpur and Selangor the state minimum, not the MM2H minimum, decides your budget.
- Treating the home as something you can cash out. You can upgrade, but you cannot sell to buy cheaper. A Silver family that sells its RM 1,000,000 condominium in year three to buy a cheaper one breaks the terms, and the pass can be revoked.
- Missing the one-year purchase deadline. Shortlist homes while the application is in progress, so you are not rushed after endorsement.
- Not budgeting the 8% stamp duty. On a RM 1,000,000 home that is RM 80,000, and MM2H does not exempt you from it, or from real property gains tax when you eventually sell.
- Expecting MM2H to lead to permanent residence. It is a long-term pass; the programme's terms give no route to permanent residence or citizenship.
Official sources
The figures above were checked on 21 October 2026 against:
- MM2H official website (category overview, guidelines and category pages, last updated 10 February 2026)
- MM2H guidelines
- MM2H SEZ/SFZ category page
- Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture: Terms and Regulations for New Participants (accurate as of 22 July 2024)
- MOTAC announcement, 28 May 2025 (purchase deadline, Forest City rule, ringgit deposit)
- MOTAC announcement on the online system, 1 August 2025
- MOTAC application checklist (updated 27 January 2025)
- Licensed MM2H agents
- Income Tax (Exemption) (No. 5) Order 2022 (Amendment) Order 2024, P.U.(A) 451/2024 (laid before Parliament as Statutory Paper 43 of 2025)
- Selangor Land and Mines Office: circular Bil. 1/2014 (Appendix B: the MM2H route)
- Penang Land and Mines Office: guideline for acquisition by non-citizens (updated 1 August 2024; RM 500,000 for MM2H participants)
- Johor land office circular Bil. 3/2025 on fees for foreign purchases (in force 1 July 2025)
- Sarawak S-MM2H, Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts
- Sabah MM2H, Sabah Tourism
Rules change, so confirm the current terms with a licensed agent before you transfer the deposit. When you are ready to look at homes that clear both the MM2H and the state minimum, WhatsApp Shyan Yee (REN 46305, IQI Realty) at +60 17-279 8932.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my family under MM2H?
Yes. You can bring your spouse, children under 21, unmarried children aged 21 to 34 who do not work in Malaysia, children with a disability at any age (with a doctor's certificate), and your parents and your spouse's parents. Only Platinum participants may also bring a foreign domestic helper. Dependants do not pay the participation fee, but each dependant pays a processing fee of RM 2,500.
How many days a year must I stay in Malaysia under MM2H?
If you are under 50, 90 days a year, counted across the family, so the rule is met if one parent spends 90 days here in a year. If you are 50 or older, the official MM2H overview shows no minimum stay. Sarawak and Sabah ask for 30 days a year in the state.
How much is the fixed deposit for MM2H in 2026?
USD 1,000,000 for Platinum, USD 500,000 for Gold, USD 150,000 for Silver, and for the Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone (SEZ/SFZ) category USD 65,000 (age 21 to 49) or USD 32,000 (age 50 and above). The deposit sits in a licensed Malaysian bank, and the government encourages keeping it in ringgit at the equivalent amount. After approval, up to 50% can be withdrawn for buying a home, education, medical costs or tourism.
Is the interest on my MM2H fixed deposit taxed?
No. The official MM2H overview states there is no tax on foreign funds or income, or on the profit from fixed deposits in Malaysia.
Do I have to buy a property under MM2H?
Yes, in every federal category. Platinum must buy at least RM 2,000,000, Gold RM 1,000,000 and Silver RM 600,000, within one year of the pass being endorsed, and the home cannot be sold for 10 years except to upgrade to a more expensive one. The SEZ category can only buy new property from the developer in Forest City, Johor, after approval and before the pass is endorsed, and Johor's minimum of RM 1,000,000 for foreigners applies there too (a serviced apartment below that needs special state approval and a levy of at least RM 50,000).
Can I use the fixed deposit to pay for the home?
Yes. After approval, up to 50% of the deposit can be withdrawn to pay for the home you buy under the programme. If you already own a home here, the deposit can pay for it only if you bought it within 2 years before the pass was endorsed and it meets the category minimum.
Does MM2H let me buy below the state minimum price for foreigners?
No. MM2H participants are foreigners, so the home has to clear whichever is higher, the MM2H minimum or the state minimum. In Kuala Lumpur that means at least RM 1,000,000 even on Silver. In Selangor's main districts it means at least RM 2,000,000, strata only. Penang's land office sets RM 500,000 for MM2H participants, below every category minimum, so on Silver the line in Penang is RM 600,000.
Can MM2H holders work in Malaysia?
Only Platinum participants may work or run a business on the MM2H pass. Gold and Silver participants need to apply for the relevant pass separately. The SEZ category is not allowed to work or run a business. In Sarawak, participants may work part-time in approved sectors for up to 20 hours a week.
Can my children study in Malaysia on MM2H?
Yes. Registered children can study up to university level at government-recognised institutions, either on the MM2H pass or with a student pass issued automatically.
How much are the MM2H government fees?
A one-time participation fee of RM 200,000 (Platinum), RM 3,000 (Gold) or RM 1,000 (Silver and SEZ); a processing fee of RM 5,000 for the main applicant and RM 2,500 for each dependant; an online system fee of RM 500 per application (before SST) since 1 August 2025; a visa fee of RM 0 to RM 50 depending on nationality; a fixed pass fee of RM 500 a year; and a renewal fee of RM 5,000, RM 3,000, RM 1,500 or RM 300 by category.
Can I apply for MM2H without an agent?
Not as a new applicant. MOTAC says applications cannot be made individually and must go through an MM2H company it has licensed. Existing participants who handled their own application from the start may deal with later services themselves.
How long does MM2H approval take?
MOTAC's client charter target is 90 working days from a complete application, subject to the bank's confirmation. After your agent receives the conditional approval letter, you have 90 days to place the deposit, get the medical check-up and insurance, and stamp the personal bond.
Can I take my fixed deposit back when I leave MM2H?
Yes. Up to 50% can be withdrawn after approval for a home, education, medical costs or tourism in Malaysia. The rest comes out after MOTAC cancels the pass and issues a termination letter for the bank; MOTAC's target is 3 working days.
Do MM2H holders pay Malaysian tax?
MM2H does not change tax residence. LHDN uses day counts, generally 182 days a year. A non-resident pays a flat 30% on Malaysian rent. Foreign income received in Malaysia by a resident individual is exempt until 31 December 2036, other than partnership income, provided it was taxed in the country it came from.
Does MM2H give permanent residence?
No. The pass length is set by your category, each pass sticker runs only as long as your passport, and the programme's terms give no route to permanent residence or citizenship.
Do I need to show income for MM2H?
Not for the federal programme. The offshore income requirement was dropped for every category in the 2024 terms, although the authorities can ask for employment or income details during the application. Sarawak and Sabah (Silver) still ask for monthly income or savings.
Who can I bring under Sarawak or Sabah MM2H?
Sarawak takes a spouse, parents, children aged 21 and below, and children with a disability at any age. Sabah takes a spouse, parents, parents-in-law, and children under 21 or full-time students who do not work.
What is the difference between Sarawak MM2H and the federal MM2H?
Sarawak's S-MM2H asks for age 30 and above, a RM 500,000 deposit in a Sarawak bank, plus monthly income or savings; buying a home is optional (RM 600,000 in Kuching, RM 500,000 elsewhere if you do), you stay 30 days a year in Sarawak, and you may work part-time in approved sectors. The pass is 5 plus 5 years.
Written by
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Need Personalized Advice on Malaysian Real Estate?
Speak with licensed senior agent Shyan Yee (REN 46305) for MM2H property consultations, help with the consent from the land authority that foreign buyers need (the state authority outside KL), and a curated project shortlist.