Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) in 2026

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is a federal long-stay programme administered through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), with immigration approval under the Ministry of Home Affairs/Immigration Department. The current programme has four categories: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone (SEZ/SFZ).

Old articles describing one universal MM2H income/fixed-deposit requirement are no longer a reliable guide to the current programme.

Current MM2H categories

| Category | Fixed deposit | Pass term | Compulsory property | One-off participating fee | | --- | ---: | --- | ---: | ---: | | Silver | USD150,000 | 5 years, renewable | RM600,000+ | RM1,000 | | Gold | USD500,000 | 15 years, renewable | RM1,000,000+ | RM3,000 | | Platinum | USD1,000,000 | 20 years, renewable | RM2,000,000+ | RM200,000 | | SEZ/SFZ, age 21–49 | USD65,000 | 10 years, renewable | Qualifying SEZ property under state policy | RM1,000 | | SEZ/SFZ, age 50+ | USD32,000 | 10 years, renewable | Qualifying SEZ property under state policy | RM1,000 |

The current programme overview also publishes a RM5,000 principal processing fee and RM2,500 per dependant, separate from the category participation fee and Immigration/pass/visa charges.

Age and annual-stay rules

Silver, Gold and Platinum have a minimum principal age of 25. The SEZ/SFZ category starts at 21.

For participants aged 25–49, the current federal framework generally requires 90 cumulative days in Malaysia per year. The programme permits the principal and/or qualifying spouse/dependants to contribute to the annual presence requirement under the published rules. Participants aged 50 and above are listed with no annual minimum-day requirement in the current category overview.

The SEZ/SFZ age bands have their own structure, so always apply the age rule of the actual category.

Property purchase is compulsory

The current federal MM2H programme requires purchase and ownership of a qualifying Malaysian residence after approval. The property must generally be retained for 10 years, although upgrading to a higher-value property is permitted under the programme conditions.

SEZ/SFZ applicants are tied to qualifying property in the designated zone; the current programme specifically references Forest City, Johor, with the floor price governed by Johor's property-acquisition policy.

Fixed-deposit withdrawals

After approval, current MOTAC rules allow withdrawal of up to 50% of the principal fixed deposit for approved purposes such as property purchase, education, medical expenses and tourism-related expenditure. The remaining required balance must continue to satisfy programme conditions.

Work, career and business rights

This is one of the most important category differences:

  • Silver: no general business/investment activity or career opportunity under the category benefit table.
  • Gold: no general business/investment activity or career opportunity under the category benefit table.
  • SEZ/SFZ: likewise should not be treated as a general work permit.
  • Platinum: the current official category provides broader business/investment activities and career opportunities.

A Silver or Gold holder who wants ordinary Malaysian employment should not assume MM2H replaces the Employment Pass.

Dependants

Current MOTAC rules permit a broad dependant group, including:

  • spouse;
  • biological, step or adopted children below 21;
  • children aged 21–34 if single and unemployed while in Malaysia;
  • medically certified disabled children with no age limit; and
  • parents and parents-in-law.

Platinum participants may also bring a foreign maid under the published programme rules.

Dependants' ability to work, study or remain after changes in family circumstances must be checked under the specific immigration/pass rules; being listed as a dependant is not unrestricted work authorization.

How to apply

  1. Choose the correct MM2H tier based on age, capital, property plan and desired benefits.
  2. Engage a MOTAC-licensed MM2H tour operating business/operator, because current guidelines require applications through licensed operators.
  3. Submit the financial, identity, background and family evidence through the MM2H One Stop Centre process.
  4. After conditional approval, complete the required fixed deposit and property obligations within programme deadlines.
  5. Complete the mandatory medical examination and insurance requirements where applicable.
  6. Immigration issues/finalizes the long-term Social Visit Pass and multiple-entry visa.
  7. Maintain fixed-deposit, property, presence and renewal conditions throughout the programme.

Is MM2H permanent residence?

No. MM2H is a renewable social visit pass framework. Even a 20-year Platinum term is not the same legal status as Malaysian permanent residence and should not be advertised as citizenship-by-investment.

Tax considerations

MOTAC lists a programme tax benefit for foreign funds/income and fixed-deposit returns, but tax outcomes depend on the Income Tax Act, source/residence facts and current Inland Revenue Board rules. Do not treat a programme marketing summary as individualized tax advice or a universal exemption from Malaysian tax.

MM2H vs DE Rantau

DE Rantau is designed for qualifying remote/freelance professionals and is much shorter. MM2H is a capital/property-based long-stay programme and may fit retirees, financially independent residents and high-net-worth households better.

MM2H vs PVIP

Malaysia's Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) is another high-value long-term option. Current Immigration materials describe a 20-year structure with a RM1,000,000 fixed deposit, substantial participation fees, and income/net-worth tests. It is a distinct programme from MM2H; compare current official requirements rather than calling either one a generic “golden visa.”

Common mistakes

  • using legacy MM2H rules instead of the current four-category system;
  • ignoring compulsory property ownership;
  • assuming Silver or Gold grants general employment rights;
  • forgetting the annual stay rule for younger participants;
  • counting all family members as dependants without checking age/status rules; and
  • describing a long-term social visit pass as permanent residence.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest federal MM2H fixed-deposit tier?

The SEZ/SFZ category publishes USD32,000 for applicants age 50+ and USD65,000 for ages 21–49, but it has designated-zone property requirements. The nationwide Silver tier is USD150,000.

Can I withdraw the entire fixed deposit after approval?

No. Current rules permit a maximum 50% withdrawal for specified approved purposes while programme conditions remain in force.

Can Silver or Gold MM2H holders work?

Those tiers are not general work/career categories. Ordinary employment should be assessed under the appropriate Employment Pass or other work authorization.

Does MM2H give Malaysian citizenship?

No. It is a renewable long-stay social visit programme, not citizenship-by-investment.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Malaysia