Unlocking Malaysia's potential: new residency and investment programs that invite global talent

Malaysia’s latest immigration programs reflect a commitment to attracting top international talent, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), and businesses. The revamping of Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) tiers, the Premium Visa Program (PVIP) for active investors and those looking for a longer-term option, the DE Rantau Digital Nomad Visa, and the newly announced Golden Pass and Family Office schemes, is aiming to make Malaysia an attractive hub for expatriates, investors, and digital entrepreneurs.

Here’s a breakdown of each program's opportunities and benefits, tailored to meet diverse global needs.

MALAYSIA MY SECOND HOME: NEW TIERS FOR LONG-TERM RESIDENCY

The MM2H program now offers four tailored categories—Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) —designed to suit applicants across various financial tiers:

Platinum: Designed for HNWIs, this category requires a minimum stay of 90 days annually and a fixed deposit of $1 million. The visa is valid for 20 years and benefits include the ability to study, work, access medical services, and invest in Malaysia.

Gold: Designed for middle-income applicants, this category requires a minimum stay of 90 days annually, a fixed deposit of $500,000, and the purchase of a property (with T&C). It grants a 15-year visa, which is ideal for retirees settling in Malaysia and those seeking educational opportunities for their children in Malaysia.

Silver: Suitable for applicants seeking a lower financial commitment, this category requires a minimum stay of 90 days annually, pledges a fixed deposit of $ 150,000, and also requires purchasing a property (with T&C). It offers a 5-year visa, ideal for retirees to settle in Malaysia or families seeking educational options for children.

Special Economic Zone (SEZ): Designed for applicants interested in a specific area—currently limited to Forest City in Johor—this category requires a minimum stay of 90 days annually, a fixed deposit of $65,000 for applicants aged 21-49, and $32,000 for those aged 50 and above, and the purchase of a property (with T&C). It grants a 10-year visa, which is ideal for retirees to settle in Malaysia and families seeking educational options for children in this zone.

This structured approach enables residents to enjoy Malaysia’s high quality of life, modern infrastructure, and affordable lifestyle with flexibility.

PREMIUM VISA PROGRAM (PVIP): LONG-TERM RESIDENCY

The PVIP is designed explicitly for high-net-worth individuals and successful entrepreneurs looking to stay longer or establish or expand their businesses in Malaysia.

Requirements

-Financial Capacity: Applicants must have proof of offshore income of RM40,000 monthly or RM480,000 annually.

-Fixed Deposit: A fixed deposit of RM1 million is required.

Benefits

-Long-Term Residency: Enjoy a 20-year visa, providing long-term residency in Malaysia.

-Flexibility: Visa holders can work, study, and invest freely in Malaysia without any minimum stay requirement or mandatory property purchase.

-Family Inclusion: Bring family members to Malaysia under the PVIP.

Application Process

-The application process is relatively efficient, typically taking 3-4 months.

The PVIP program grants successful applicants almost the same rights as Malaysian PR holders. It is ideal for individuals seeking a comfortable and flexible lifestyle in Malaysia, with the freedom to pursue business opportunities, education, and healthcare.

DE RANTAU PROGRAM: A HAVEN FOR DIGITAL NOMADS

De Rantau is a newly created Professional Visit Pass that enables eligible foreign digital nomads to live and work in Malaysia. This program offers extended visas to digital nomads and freelancers, providing access to co-working spaces, networking events, and “nomad hubs” nationwide. Remote professionals can work from various locations in Malaysia with reliable broadband and services supporting a mobile lifestyle, creating a dynamic ecosystem for local and international talent.

Requirements

The program is available to foreign digital nomads with a minimum annual income of $24,000 for tech professionals or $60,000 for non-tech professionals and to local digital nomads with a minimum annual income of RM36,000.

Application Process

-The application process takes 6-8 weeks after submission.

GOLDEN PASS SCHEME: ATTRACTING UNICORNS AND VENTURE CAPITALIST

The Malaysian government recently introduced the Golden Pass scheme to attract unicorn start-ups and venture capitalists (VCs), aiming to establish Malaysia as a top business hub in Southeast Asia. This initiative seeks to draw investment while fostering innovation and creating new job opportunities.

Key benefits of the Golden Pass scheme

-For Unicorns:

Fee exemptions: Exemptions on employment passes for senior management executives.

Rental subsidies: Subsidized rental rates for office spaces.

Tax concessions: Tax incentives and breaks to encourage investment and growth.

-For VCs:

Work visa exemptions: Exemptions for senior executives on work visas.

Subsidized office spaces: Subsidized rental rates for office spaces.

Expedited license registrations: Streamlined and faster process for obtaining necessary licenses.

Exempted fees for employment passes: Waived fees for employment passes for key personnel.

SINGLE FAMILY OFFICE SCHEME: A FINANCIAL HUB FOR HNW FAMILIES

Malaysia's Family Office Incentive Scheme is a recent initiative to attract Single Family Offices (SFOs) to establish operations in Johor’s Forest City Special Financial Zone. This program provides a 0% tax rate on qualifying investment income, subject to certain conditions. Its goal is to encourage wealth management firms to choose Malaysia, thereby increasing local employment and economic activity in Forest City. The scheme is anticipated to be launched by early 2025.

WHY MALAYSIA? INCENTIVES AND STRATEGIC GROWTH

Beyond its attractive visa and residency programs, Malaysia invests heavily in infrastructure projects like the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and the Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ). With additional tax breaks in sectors like renewable energy, manufacturing, and advanced technology, Malaysia presents an attractive environment for foreign investors.

From MM2H’s tiered residency options to PVIP’s longer-duration program, these initiatives welcome global talent and investment. Malaysia is now making it easier than ever for expatriates, digital nomads, investors, and family offices to establish roots in a multicultural, modern, and strategically positioned Southeast Asian economy.

With these pathways to residency, Malaysia invites the world to consider a new base in Asia, combining cultural richness with business opportunities.