Malaysia

Malaysia My Second Home Residency (MM2H) Overview

The Malaysia My Second Home program, commonly known as MM2H, is open to foreign nationals who meet tiered financial requirements and qualify for a long-term Social Visit Pass, allowing them to live in Malaysia for up to 20 years. 

The program operates across three tiers, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, plus a separate Special Economic Zone category for Johor Bahru, each with distinct fixed deposit, property purchase, and stay requirements.

The permit is issued as a multiple-entry Social Visit Pass valid for 5, 15, or 20 years, depending on the tier, and may be renewed every five years throughout that period. 

Applicants may include a spouse, biological children, stepchildren, and adopted children under 35 who are single and not working in Malaysia, disabled children of any age, and parents and parents-in-law.

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must provide a valid passport, clean criminal record, and complete a mandatory health screening at a government-approved clinic or hospital after receiving approval. Mandatory government-set agent fees apply to each tier and are payable to the licensed agent.

Three national tiers and one Special Economic Zone category are available: 

Silver Tier

• Minimum age of 25 years
• Fixed deposit of US$150,000 in a Malaysian licensed financial institution
• Up to 50% of the fixed deposit may be withdrawn on a reimbursement basis after visa endorsement for property purchase (where the sale and purchase agreement was signed up to two years before visa issuance), healthcare, education for children under the pass, and domestic tourism in Malaysia
• Minimum residential property purchase of MYR 600,000 (approx. US$152,000), to be completed within one year of visa endorsement, held for a minimum of 10 years
• Participation fee: MYR 1,000 (approx. US$250)
• Mandatory agent fee: MYR 40,000 (approx. US$10,000)
• Renewal fee: MYR 1,500 (approx. US$380) per application every 5 years
• Social Visit Pass is valid for 5 years, renewed every 5 years
• Business activities and employment in Malaysia are not permitted under this tier; a separate relevant pass is required

Gold Tier

• Minimum age of 25 years
• Fixed deposit of US$500,000 in a Malaysian licensed financial institution
• Up to 50% withdrawal permitted on the same reimbursement basis, applicable for property purchase with a minimum value of MYR 1,000,000
• Minimum residential property purchase of MYR 1,000,000 (approx. US$253,000), to be completed within one year of visa endorsement, held for a minimum of 10 years
• Participation fee: MYR 3,000 (approx. US$760)
• Mandatory agent fee: MYR 50,000 (approx. US$12,700)
• Renewal fee: MYR 3,000 (approx. US$760) per application every 5 years
• Social Visit Pass valid for 15 years, renewed every 5 years
• Business activities and employment in Malaysia not permitted under this tier; a separate relevant pass is required

Platinum Tier

• Minimum age of 25 years
• Fixed deposit of US$1,000,000 in a Malaysian licensed financial institution
• Up to 50% withdrawal permitted on the same reimbursement basis, applicable for property purchase with a minimum value of MYR 2,000,000
• Minimum residential property purchase of MYR 2,000,000 (approx. US$506,000), to be completed within one year of visa endorsement, held for a minimum of 10 years
• Participation fee: MYR 200,000 (approx. US$50,600)
• Mandatory agent fee: MYR 70,000 (approx. US$17,700)
• Renewal fee: MYR 5,000 (approx. US$1,270) per application every 5 years
• Social Visit Pass valid for 20 years, renewed every 5 years
• Business activities and employment in Malaysia permitted under this tier; foreign maids may be brought in

Special Economic Zone (SEZ/SFZ) Category

• Minimum age of 21 years
• Fixed deposit of US$65,000 for applicants aged 21 to 49, or US$32,000 for applicants aged 50 and above, held in any Malaysian bank
• Up to 50% of the fixed deposit may be withdrawn for property purchase, car deposit, education for children, or medical expenses
• Property must be purchased in the Forest City development in Johor Bahru, directly from the developer; resale of the property is not permitted for 10 years
• No minimum offshore income requirement
• Dependents eligible: spouse, biological children, stepchildren, and adopted children under 21, and parents and parents-in-law
• Application processing fee: MYR 3,000 (approx. US$760), non-refundable
• Social Visit Pass valid for 10 years
• Employment in Malaysia not permitted under this category; a separate relevant pass is required

General Conditions (All Tiers)

• Applicants under 50 must spend at least 90 cumulative days per year in Malaysia. This requirement can be met collectively by the main applicant and all dependents. It is calculated on a per-calendar-year basis and cannot be carried over across years.
• No minimum offshore income requirement under the June 2024 guidelines
• Medical health insurance from a Malaysian insurer is compulsory for all applicants aged under 60
• Mandatory health screening at a MOTAC-approved clinic or hospital must be completed after approval and before visa endorsement, for the main applicant and all dependents
• Citizens of Israel and North Korea are not eligible

Program Data and Expert Take 2026

Route to Citizenship

The MM2H Social Visit Pass is a long-term residency pass and does not impy a direct pathway to Malaysian permanent residency or citizenship through the program itself. 

The pass is renewed every five years, provided the holder continues to meet the eligibility conditions, including maintaining the fixed deposit and property ownership.

Malaysian permanent residency requires a separate application under standard Malaysian immigration law and is subject to the discretion of the Director General of Immigration. 

Malaysian citizenship by naturalization requires continuous lawful residence in Malaysia for a minimum of 10 out of the 12 years immediately preceding the application, with the final year being uninterrupted. 

Applicants must be of good character, have adequate knowledge of the Malay language, and intend to reside permanently in Malaysia. 

Malaysia does not permit dual nationality, and naturalized citizens are required to relinquish all prior citizenships.

Mobility and Taxation

Mobility

Malaysian citizens can access approximately 183 destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Australia, and all ASEAN member states. 

As an ASEAN member, Malaysia maintains visa-free arrangements with all other ASEAN member states. 

Tax

Funds brought into Malaysia as a fixed deposit under the MM2H program are exempt from Malaysian income tax. 

Malaysia operates a territorial tax system, and foreign-sourced income not remitted to Malaysia is generally not subject to Malaysian income tax. 

MM2H holders who spend fewer than 182 days per year in Malaysia are generally not considered tax residents and are taxed only on Malaysian-sourced income. 

Holders who spend 182 days or more per year become tax residents and may be subject to Malaysian income tax on income remitted to Malaysia. 

Resident individuals pay progressive income tax of 0%–30% on Malaysian-sourced income, while non-residents are taxed at a flat 30% with no personal reliefs. 

Malaysia has double tax treaties with over 70 countries that may reduce liability. Applicants should seek independent tax advice.

How to Apply

The program is administered by the One Stop Center MM2H, operated by the Ministry of Tourism and the Immigration Department of Malaysia under the Tourism Industry Act 1992. 

Applications cannot be submitted directly; all applications must be lodged through a licensed MM2H agent accredited by MOTAC. 

The process typically runs as follows: 

• Step 1: Engage a licensed MM2H agent, who will assess eligibility, prepare all documentation, and submit the application to the One Stop Centre MM2H on the applicant’s behalf.
• Step 2: Submit all required documents through the agent, including a valid passport, police clearance certificate, completed application forms, and financial evidence supporting the fixed deposit requirement.
• Step 3: Receive the Conditional Approval Letter from the MM2H Centre; the applicant then has 90 days from the date of the approval letter to complete all endorsement requirements.
• Step 4: Travel to Malaysia to complete the mandatory health screening at a MOTAC-approved clinic or hospital, open the fixed deposit account at a Malaysian licensed bank, and arrange Malaysian health insurance if under 60 years of age.
• Step 5: Receive the Social Visit Pass endorsed in the passport; complete the residential property purchase within one year of visa endorsement and submit proof to the MM2H Centre.
• Step 6: Renew the Social Visit Pass every five years by submitting updated documents including a valid passport, medical report, and health insurance, along with the applicable renewal fee, to the One Stop Centre or Immigration Department of Malaysia.