Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Application

Long-term residence in Malaysia for retirees, family relocations, and HNW investors — through the MOTAC-administered MM2H programme. We coordinate your application with a licensed MM2H agent and handle everything around it: property search, banking, insurance, dependent applications, and tax structuring.

What Is MM2H?

The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme is a long-term residence visa administered by MOTAC — the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture — under the Tourism Industry Act 1992. It is not tied to employment. Instead, applicants demonstrate financial capacity through a fixed deposit in a Malaysian bank and a property purchase in Malaysia, in exchange for a renewable multi-year residence pass.

The programme was completely reset in July 2024 and has remained stable through 2026. The current framework consists of four tiers — SEZ, Silver, Gold, and Platinum — each with its own financial thresholds, visa duration, and lifestyle conditions. The Sarawak state government runs its own parallel programme (Sarawak S-MM2H) under different rules.

MM2H is the right pathway for foreigners who want to live in Malaysia long-term without running a Malaysian business or working for a Malaysian employer — although the Platinum tier opens up limited investment and directorship rights.

The Four MM2H Tiers

Each tier matches a different financial profile and visa term. Property purchase is compulsory for all mainland tiers. The fixed deposit must sit in a licensed Malaysian financial institution under the Financial Services Act 2013 or Islamic Financial Services Act 2013.

Notes on the tiers:

• SEZ is currently limited to Forest City in Iskandar Puteri, Johor — a Special Economic Zone adjacent to Singapore. Designed for younger professionals and digital-economy entrepreneurs; minimum age drops to 21.
• Silver is the entry-level mainland tier — most popular for retirees with moderate savings.
• Gold suits multigenerational family relocations seeking a 15-year horizon without the Platinum capital commitment.
• Platinum is the only mainland tier with work rights — limited to investments, directorships, and shareholdings (not standard employment). Best for HNW individuals running international businesses with a Malaysian footprint.

The 90-day annual stay rule (cumulative, can be shared between principal and dependents) applies to applicants under 50 across all tiers. Applicants aged 50 and above are exempt from minimum stay.

Who Qualifies

• Citizen of any country with diplomatic relations with Malaysia
• Minimum age 25 (Silver / Gold / Platinum) or 21 (SEZ)
• Clean criminal record — police clearance certificate (Letter of Good Conduct) required from country of residence
• Valid passport with at least 18 months remaining
• Demonstrable financial strength — beyond the fixed deposit, MOTAC expects evidence of liquid assets sufficient to sustain residence in Malaysia (industry guidance: minimum RM 1,500,000 in liquid assets for comfortable approval, plus monthly income evidence)
• Health insurance covering Malaysia (mandatory; waiver possible for applicants over 60)
• Medical examination in Malaysia (panel clinic) before pass endorsement

Dependents

MM2H is one of the broadest dependent-friendly programmes in Asia. The following family members can be included at no additional fixed deposit requirement:

• Spouse (legally registered marriage)
• Biological or legally adopted children, unmarried, up to 34 years old, not employed in Malaysia
• Disabled children, any age, no upper limit
• Parents and parents-in-law (subject to MOTAC documentation requirements; Platinum tier offers the broadest support)

Each dependent requires their own passport, photographs, and — if 18 or above — police clearance certificate. The 90-day stay requirement (under-50 principals) is cumulative across the family, so dependent stays count toward the principal’s minimum.

Documents Required

From the principal applicant

• Valid passport (at least 18 months validity, with empty pages)
• Recent passport photographs (MM2H specification)
• Police Clearance Certificate / Letter of Good Conduct from the country of residence
• Curriculum Vitae outlining career, qualifications, and financial profile
• Bank statements (last 3–6 months) demonstrating liquid asset strength and monthly income flow
• Proof of monthly income — pension letter, salary slips, rental income proof, dividend statements
• Marriage certificate (if including spouse)
• Birth certificates of all dependent children
• Medical examination report from Malaysian panel clinic (post-Conditional Approval)
• Health insurance policy covering Malaysia

Additional documentation specific to financial review

• Source of funds documentation for the fixed deposit
• Recent tax returns (last 1–2 years)
• Property purchase intent or property identification (helpful at application; mandatory completion within 12 months of endorsement)
• For Platinum: documentation of intended business or directorship activity

Translations and certifications: All documents not originally in English must be translated by an authorised translator and endorsed as Certified True Copy by your home embassy or by the Malaysian embassy in the home country. We coordinate translation and certification through our network.

Our Process

Important compliance note: Since July 2024, MM2H applications can only be submitted by a licensed MM2H agent registered with MOTAC under the Tourism Industry Act 1992. Horizon Hub Consulting is not itself a licensed MM2H agent — we are your project coordinator, working with a licensed MM2H agent on your behalf and managing every dependency around the application: tax structuring, property search, banking, insurance, and dependent visa logistics.

We work in seven phases. End-to-end timeline is typically 5–6 months from engagement to endorsed pass:

1. Phase 1 — Free Consultation & Tier Selection (Day 0). We confirm your eligibility, recommend the right tier (Silver / Gold / Platinum / SEZ) based on financial profile and lifestyle goals, and map dependent strategy. Written recommendation within 24 hours.
2. Phase 2 — Licensed Agent Engagement (Week 1). We engage a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent from our trusted panel and align them with your application requirements.
3. Phase 3 — Document Collection & Translation (Weeks 1–4). Personal, financial, and dependent documents collected. Police clearance certificates, marriage certificates, and birth certificates translated and CTC-endorsed.
4. Phase 4 — Application Submission & MOTAC Review (Weeks 4–16). Application submitted via the licensed agent through the One Stop Centre MM2H (OSC MM2H). Standard review: approximately 60 working days (~3 months) to Conditional Approval Letter (CAL) valid for 6 months.
5. Phase 5 — Fund Transfer & Banking (Weeks 16–18). On receipt of CAL, fixed deposit funds transferred to a licensed Malaysian bank. We coordinate banking onboarding and KYC. Health insurance enrolled.
6. Phase 6 — Entry, Medical & Endorsement (Weeks 18–22). Entry to Malaysia within 6 months of CAL. Medical examination at Malaysian panel clinic. Bank LIEN letter obtained. Visa endorsement appointment at MM2H Centre, Putrajaya. Endorsement typically completed in 7–12 days.
7. Phase 7 — Property Purchase (within 12 months of endorsement). Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) signed and submitted to MOTAC within 12 months (3–6 months for SEZ). Up to 50% of the fixed deposit can be withdrawn after property completion. We coordinate property search, legal review, and submission.

You receive a project tracker covering MOTAC milestones, banking, property, and dependent applications in parallel.

Key 2026 Rules to Know

These are the rules that catch most applicants out:

• Property purchase is mandatory for all mainland tiers (Silver/Gold/Platinum/SEZ). 12-month deadline from endorsement; 10-year sale restriction by state land authority (5–10 years depending on state).
• State-level minimum prices override MM2H minima where higher. Johor, Penang, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur each apply their own foreign-buyer thresholds — sometimes significantly above the MM2H tier minimum.
• Existing Malaysian property can satisfy the property requirement only if the SPA was signed within 2 years of the MM2H visa endorsement date. Property purchased 3+ years before endorsement does not qualify.
• 50% fixed deposit withdrawal from year 2 onward is allowed for approved categories: property purchase, medical expenses, children’s education, and approved tourism activities. The remaining 50% stays locked.
• Police interviews can be required. Some applicants are called for security vetting interviews with the Royal Malaysia Police as part of enhanced background screening.
• DIY applications no longer accepted. All MM2H applications must go through a MOTAC-licensed agent (this requirement has been in force since the July 2024 relaunch).
• Sarawak operates separately. S-MM2H has different financial rules (RM 500,000 in liquid funds, no property purchase), runs its own programme, and issues its own visas. Best for those specifically targeting Sarawak.
• Visa renewal is on the same conditions as the original application — fixed deposit must remain in place, property must still be held, and stay requirements (where applicable) must be met.
• 2026 stamp duty changes are affecting foreign property buyers. The property purchase step requires careful timing and tax structuring.

Why Horizon Hub

• Coordinator, not agent. We are not a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent — and we are explicit about that. We engage a licensed agent on your behalf and manage every dependency around the application: property search, banking onboarding, tax structuring, insurance, and dependent applications. You get one accountable contact across all of these workstreams.
• Tier-fit recommendation. Our consultation pre-screens your financial profile against the four tiers — many applicants apply for Silver when Gold or SEZ would have been better fits, costing time and re-application fees.
• Property guidance without conflicts. We do not earn commissions from property developers. Property recommendations are aligned to your tier, location preferences, and exit liquidity — not agent kickbacks.
• Multilingual. English, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and other major business languages supported throughout the 5–6 month process.
• Family relocations. Schools, banking, healthcare, and home-search coordinated alongside the visa — single project manager, parallel workstreams.
• Post-endorsement continuity. Annual renewals, FD adjustments, property compliance, dependent passes — same team that ran the application stays for the implementation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which MM2H tier is right for me?

The right tier depends on financial capacity and lifestyle. Silver is the entry-level mainland tier (USD 150k FD, 5-year visa) — best for retirees with moderate savings. Gold (USD 500k, 15 years) suits multigenerational families. Platinum (USD 1m, 20 years) is the only tier with work rights — best for HNW individuals with active business interests. SEZ (USD 32k–65k, Forest City only) is the most affordable entry, especially for those over 50, but limited to Forest City property.

Can I work in Malaysia on an MM2H visa?

Generally no. Silver, Gold, and SEZ tiers do not include work rights. Platinum holders may be company directors and shareholders — limited business activity, but not standard employment. If you need to work for a Malaysian employer, an Employment Pass is the right route.

How long does the application take?

Approximately 60 working days (~3 months) for the Conditional Approval Letter, then 6 weeks for fund transfer, banking, medical, and endorsement. End-to-end: 5–6 months from engagement to passport with MM2H pass endorsed. The property purchase has a separate 12-month window after endorsement.

Is property purchase mandatory?

Yes for all mainland tiers (Silver/Gold/Platinum/SEZ). The minimum prices are RM 600k (Silver), RM 1m (Gold), RM 2m (Platinum), and RM 500k (SEZ — Forest City only). Sale of the property is restricted for 10 years (5–10 depending on state). Sarawak S-MM2H is an exception — no property purchase required.

Can I bring my family?

Yes. Eligible dependents include your spouse, unmarried children under 34 (not employed in Malaysia), disabled children of any age, and parents and parents-in-law. Each dependent is added to the principal’s pass without additional fixed deposit. See our Dependent Pass & Family Visas page for the family pass framework.

Can I withdraw my fixed deposit?

Up to 50% can be withdrawn from year 2 onward for approved purposes — property purchase, medical, education, or tourism-related activity. The remaining 50% must stay locked for the duration of the visa.

Can I apply for MM2H myself, without an agent?

No. Since July 2024, all MM2H applications must be submitted via a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent. DIY applications are no longer accepted. We engage a licensed agent on your behalf and run the project alongside.

Can I use a property I already own in Malaysia?

Only if the Sale and Purchase Agreement was signed within 2 years of your MM2H visa endorsement date. Property purchased 3 or more years before endorsement does not qualify to satisfy the property requirement.

Do I have to live in Malaysia continuously?

No. Under 50: minimum 90 days per year (cumulative, can be shared with dependents). Aged 50+: no minimum stay requirement. The 90-day rule applies to all four tiers.

What happens when my MM2H pass expires?

MM2H passes are renewable on the same conditions as the original application — fixed deposit, property, and stay requirements must continue to be met. We handle renewals as a continuation of the original engagement.

How does MM2H differ from an Employment Pass?

Employment Pass requires Malaysian employment and is tied to a specific employer. MM2H is a residence visa with no employment requirement, supported by financial commitment instead. Many foreign founders use both: a Sdn Bhd sponsoring an EP for active business operations, and MM2H for the spouse and children seeking longer-term residence security.

What about Sarawak S-MM2H?

The Sarawak state government runs its own parallel programme with different rules — typically requiring RM 500,000 in liquid assets and no property purchase. S-MM2H is administered by the Sarawak Tourism Ministry and is geographically restricted to Sarawak. We coordinate S-MM2H separately for clients targeting that state specifically.

Choose the Right MM2H Tier — Confidently

Free 30-minute consultation. Written tier recommendation within 24 hours covering financial fit, dependent strategy, property considerations, and realistic timeline. We engage a licensed MM2H agent on your behalf. No obligation.

info@horizonhubconsulting.com

• ↑ Back to Visas & Immigration Services (parent)
• → Malaysia Employment Pass (EP) (alternative if active employment is the goal)
• → Dependent Pass & Family Visas (broader family visa framework)
• → Professional Visit Pass (PVP) (short-term professional engagement)
• → SDN.Bhd Registration (for MM2H Platinum holders setting up Malaysian business)