MM2H FAQ | Malaysia Visa

Malaysia operates three main MM2H programmes, each administered independently with distinct requirements:

• National MM2H (West Malaysia) – Covers Peninsular Malaysia with the highest financial requirements, mandatory 90-day annual stay, and tiered structure (Platinum/Gold/Silver) offering varying benefits including work rights for Platinum tier holders.
• Sabah MM2H – East Malaysia programme with significantly lower fixed deposit requirements (RM 150,000-300,000), no minimum stay requirement, and flexible residency allowing visa holders to live anywhere in Malaysia while maintaining Sabah as administrative base.
• Sarawak MM2H – East Malaysia programme featuring the lowest financial barriers (RM 150,000-300,000 FD), family-friendly policies allowing parents aged 60+ as dependents, and no mandatory minimum stay making it ideal for flexible international lifestyles.

Each programme has different financial thresholds, age limits, stay conditions, property purchase requirements, and administrative processes. The new SEZ/SFZ MM2H targeting Special Economic Zones will offer additional pathways with business-friendly provisions.

Financial requirements vary significantly across MM2H programmes and age brackets:

Work and business rights under MM2H depend on your programme tier and location:

• National MM2H Platinum Tier – Yes, work rights granted. Platinum holders can seek employment in Malaysia subject to approval, providing unique work flexibility unavailable in other tiers or programmes.
• National MM2H Gold/Silver Tiers – No employment allowed. Gold and Silver tier holders cannot work for Malaysian employers or operate businesses requiring active management presence.
• Sabah MM2H – No employment allowed. Visa holders cannot work for Malaysian companies or actively manage businesses, though passive investments and board positions may be permissible subject to approval.
• Sarawak MM2H – No employment allowed. Similar restrictions to Sabah MM2H preventing active employment or business management.
• SEZ/SFZ MM2H – Business activities allowed within SEZ/SFZ zones. This programme specifically targets entrepreneurs and investors with business interests in designated Special Economic Zones, allowing active business participation within these zones.

Remote work for overseas employers is generally allowed across all MM2H programmes. Visa holders can continue employment with foreign companies, receive overseas income, and work remotely from Malaysia without restriction, as this doesn't constitute Malaysian employment requiring work permits.

No. MM2H is not permanent residency.

MM2H is classified as a long-term Social Visit Pass under Malaysian immigration law, distinct from Malaysia's actual Permanent Residence (PR) programme which grants indefinite residence rights and potential citizenship pathways.

Key distinctions between MM2H and PR:

• MM2H Status – Conditional long-term visa renewable subject to continued compliance with financial requirements, stay obligations (where applicable), and programme conditions. Does not provide pathway to citizenship.
• PR Status – Permanent residence with indefinite validity not requiring renewal, fewer restrictions on employment and business activities, and eligibility for Malaysian citizenship application after sustained residence period.

However, MM2H pass holders benefit from indefinite renewability—as long as financial requirements and programme conditions remain fulfilled, visa holders can renew their MM2H status continuously, effectively providing long-term residence security without PR status formalities.

National MM2H passes issued for 5, 15, or 20 years remain renewable upon expiry. Sabah and Sarawak MM2H 5-year passes likewise renew indefinitely subject to continued qualification.

Yes—property purchase is allowed under all MM2H programmes, but rules differ significantly:

• National MM2H – Mandatory property purchase required. Applicants must purchase Malaysian property valued between RM 600,000 (for 50+ age group) and RM 2,000,000 (for younger applicants) as programme condition. Property ownership forms part of qualification requirements.
• Sabah MM2H – Optional property purchase with no strict minimum. While not mandatory, property ownership is encouraged and may strengthen applications. Sabah implements flexible minimum property values varying by district, generally lower than national requirements, with expatriate-friendly policies supporting foreign property investment.
• Sarawak MM2H – Optional property purchase with district-specific minimums. Not required for qualification but property ownership enhances application strength. Minimum property values vary by Sarawak district, typically ranging RM 300,000-600,000 depending on location and property type.
• SEZ/SFZ MM2H – Property purchase encouraged with special incentives. While details remain pending, SEZ/SFZ MM2H is expected to offer property purchase incentives, potentially including reduced minimums, expedited approvals, or investment-linked benefits for property buyers within designated zones.

Foreign property ownership rules apply: Regardless of MM2H status, foreigners must comply with state-specific minimum property values for foreign buyers (typically RM 600,000-1,000,000 for condominiums, varying by state). MM2H status may provide exemptions or reduced thresholds in certain states.

MM2H visa validity periods vary by programme tier:

• National MM2H Platinum Tier – 20 years validity. Longest initial visa period providing maximum security and minimizing renewal frequency for highest-tier applicants.
• National MM2H Gold Tier – 15 years validity. Substantial visa period balancing long-term security with mid-tier financial commitment.
• National MM2H Silver Tier – 5 years validity. Standard visa period renewable every 5 years subject to continued qualification.
• Sabah MM2H – 5 years validity. Renewable indefinitely as long as requirements remain fulfilled.
• Sarawak MM2H – 5 years validity. Renewable indefinitely subject to ongoing compliance.

All MM2H passes are renewable as long as financial requirements, stay obligations (where applicable), and programme conditions continue being met. Renewal processes typically require demonstrating maintained fixed deposits, ongoing income levels, valid medical insurance, and clean immigration records.

During visa validity, holders can enter and exit Malaysia freely without additional visa applications, though stay duration requirements apply to National MM2H (90 days annually) while Sabah and Sarawak impose no minimum stay.

Yes—all MM2H programmes allow dependents, though specific rules vary:

Universally allowed dependents across all programmes:

• Spouse – Legally married spouse automatically qualifies as dependent without additional financial requirements beyond principal applicant's qualification.
• Children under 21 years – Unmarried children below 21 years qualify as dependents, enabling families to relocate together with children attending Malaysian international schools.
• Disabled children (any age) – Children with disabilities qualify as dependents regardless of age, recognizing caregiving responsibilities and family unity considerations.

Programme-specific dependent provisions:

• Sarawak MM2H – Parents aged 60+ allowed as dependents. Unique provision enabling multi-generational family migration where elderly parents can join applicants, particularly valuable for Asian families practicing multigenerational living.
• National MM2H (25-49 age group) – Dependents may fulfill stay requirements. Younger applicants' 90-day annual stay requirement can be met through dependent family members' presence, providing flexibility for working applicants maintaining overseas commitments.

Dependent visa validity matches principal applicant's MM2H pass duration. Dependents receive Social Visit Pass tied to principal holder's status, renewable alongside main application.

Stay requirements differ fundamentally between MM2H programmes:

• National MM2H – Yes, 90 days annually required. All National MM2H tiers (Platinum/Gold/Silver) mandate minimum 90 cumulative days physical presence in Malaysia per calendar year. Non-compliance may affect renewal eligibility. Days can be accumulated across multiple entries throughout the year.
• Sabah MM2H – No minimum stay requirement. Visa holders face no mandatory physical presence obligations, enabling complete flexibility for international lifestyles, frequent travelers, or those maintaining primary residence elsewhere while securing Malaysian residency option.
• Sarawak MM2H – No minimum stay requirement. Similar flexibility to Sabah MM2H without mandated annual presence, ideal for snowbirds, digital nomads, or individuals seeking residency insurance without commitment to extended Malaysian residence.
• SEZ/SFZ MM2H – Flexible stay rules based on SEZ residency. Expected to implement stay requirements linked to SEZ business activities or property ownership within zones, potentially more flexible than National MM2H while ensuring economic contribution to SEZ development.

National MM2H compliance tracking: Immigration monitors entry/exit records verifying 90-day annual presence. Applicants in 25-49 age bracket may fulfill requirements through dependent family members' stay, providing flexibility where principal applicant maintains overseas employment.

MM2H processing timelines vary by programme and application complexity:

• National MM2H – 3-6 months processing time. Longer timeline reflects comprehensive documentation requirements, multi-tier assessment, security clearances, and federal coordination. High-net-worth Platinum applications may receive priority processing.
• Sabah MM2H – 2-4 months processing time. Streamlined state-level administration with more direct approval pathways. Established agent relationships and complete documentation can expedite processing toward lower end of range.
• Sarawak MM2H – 3-4 months processing time. State-administered programme with efficient processing systems developed over years. Clear documentation and local agent support facilitates smoother approvals.
• SEZ/SFZ MM2H – Expected faster processing (timeline TBA). One-stop centre model promises accelerated approvals for investors and entrepreneurs targeting SEZ zones, potentially 1-3 months with streamlined investment-linked pathways.

Factors affecting processing speed:

• Documentation completeness – Thorough, accurate documentation submitted upfront significantly reduces processing time versus incomplete applications requiring clarifications and resubmissions.
• Background checks – Security clearances, police reports, and reference verifications introduce variables outside applicant control, particularly for applicants from certain countries requiring enhanced screening.
• Agent expertise – Licensed MM2H agents familiar with programme requirements, common pitfalls, and officer expectations can navigate process more efficiently than self-applications.
• Financial verification – Bank account seasoning requirements, income documentation authentication, and fund source verification can extend timelines if not properly prepared in advance.

Yes—MM2H holders have full access to Malaysian healthcare, education, and insurance markets:

Healthcare Access:

• Private hospitals nationwide – MM2H holders can use Malaysia's extensive private hospital network offering internationally-accredited facilities, English-speaking medical staff, advanced medical technology, and treatment costs 50-80% below Western equivalents.
• Medical tourism reputation – Malaysia ranks among world's top medical tourism destinations with JCI-accredited hospitals providing complex procedures at exceptional value, from cardiac surgery to orthopedics to fertility treatments.
• Healthcare affordability – Consultation fees typically RM 50-150 ($12-35 USD), specialist appointments RM 100-300, diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests priced fractionally compared to Western markets, making quality healthcare genuinely affordable even without insurance.

Medical Insurance:

• Mandatory in Sabah & Sarawak – Both East Malaysia MM2H programmes require medical insurance covering hospitalization with minimum coverage amounts specified by state authorities, renewable annually throughout MM2H duration.
• Recommended for National MM2H – While not strictly mandatory, comprehensive medical insurance strongly advised given longer visa periods and potential major medical expense exposure despite affordability.
• Insurance availability – International and local insurers offer MM2H-specific health insurance products. Pre-existing condition coverage varies—early insurance procurement before conditions develop advisable for maximum coverage scope.

Education Access:

• International schools – MM2H dependent children can enroll in Malaysia's extensive international school network offering curricula including International Baccalaureate (IB), British IGCSE/A-Levels, American curriculum, Australian curriculum, and various national systems (Japanese, Korean, French, German schools available in major cities).
• Education affordability – International school fees in Malaysia range RM 20,000-80,000 annually ($4,500-18,000 USD), substantially lower than comparable international schools in Singapore, Hong Kong, or Western countries while maintaining high educational standards.
• University access – MM2H holders' children can attend Malaysian universities at international student rates, accessing high-quality tertiary education at costs significantly below Western universities. Some programmes offer pathway to local student rates after extended residence.