Your complete guide to the MM2H programme. Live, invest, and own luxury property in Penang with the right advice from someone who knows the market inside out.
Explore the Categories →Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is a government programme under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) that allows foreign nationals to live in Malaysia on a long-term, renewable basis.
It is not permanent residency or citizenship. It is a multiple-entry social visit pass that gives you the freedom to come and go as you please, with the stability of a long-term visa.
The 2025 update introduces four clear tiers, removes the offshore income requirement, and makes the programme accessible to a wider range of applicants starting from age 21.
For property buyers, this is significant. Every MM2H holder is required to purchase residential property in Malaysia. As a Penang-based luxury realtor, I help MM2H holders find the right home that meets both the programme requirements and their lifestyle expectations.
The 2025 MM2H programme offers four categories. Each comes with a mandatory property purchase requirement, making your home selection a critical part of the process.
Fixed Deposit (age-dependent)
Fixed Deposit
Fixed Deposit
Fixed Deposit
| Requirement | SEZ / SFZ | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Deposit | USD 65K (21-49) USD 32K (50+) | USD 150,000 | USD 500,000 | USD 1,000,000 |
| Visa Duration | 10 years | 5 years | 15 years | 20 years |
| Min Age | 21 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Min Property Value | Per SEZ policy | RM 600,000 | RM 1,000,000 | RM 2,000,000 |
| Participation Fee | RM 1,000 | RM 1,000 | RM 3,000 | RM 200,000 |
| Processing Fee | RM 5,000 (principal) + RM 2,500 (per dependent) | |||
| FD Withdrawal (50%) | Allowed after approval for property, education, medical, tourism | |||
| Stay (under 50) | 90 days/year (cumulative, shared with dependents) | |||
| Stay (50+) | No minimum stay required | |||
| Dependents | Spouse, children (under 35, single), parents, in-laws | |||
| Business / Work | No | No | No | Yes |
| Tax on Foreign Income | Exempt (including FD profits) | |||
| Renewal Fee | RM 300 | RM 1,500 | RM 3,000 | RM 5,000 |
All documents must be translated into English and certified by a Malaysian Embassy, High Commission, Consulate, or Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Valid passport copies for principal applicant and all dependents (biodata page).
Personal resume covering background, qualifications, and work experience.
Latest 3 consecutive months of bank statements from your country of origin.
Two recent passport-sized photos with blue background (3.5cm x 5.0cm) per person.
Marriage certificate (if with spouse), birth certificates (if with children). Must be certified and translated.
Certificate of Good Conduct for principal and all dependents aged 18+. Must be valid for at least 6 months.
Current employment verification for the main applicant.
Medical report from your country of origin. After approval, check-up at MOTAC-appointed clinic required.
For dependents aged 21-34: declaration of single status and not employed in Malaysia.
Speak with a licensed MM2H agent to understand which category fits your situation. This is also where I come in to help you plan your property strategy in Penang.
Confirm your package, sign the agency agreement, and pay a 20% deposit to get started.
Gather all required documents and get them translated and certified. This usually takes 1 to 2 months.
Your agent submits the full application to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for review. Processing takes around 2 to 3 months.
Once approved, you receive a conditional approval letter. Pay the remaining 80% of fees within 7 days. The approval is valid for 3 months.
Arrive in Malaysia for visa endorsement. Stay for at least 3 to 4 working days to complete the process.
Open a bank account, place your fixed deposit, complete medical check-up, purchase medical insurance, and finalize your property purchase.
Congratulations. Your MM2H pass is endorsed in your passport. Welcome to your second home in Malaysia.
It depends on your age. If the main applicant is 50 years old or above, there is no minimum stay requirement for you or your dependents. If you are 49 or younger, yes, you need to accumulate 90 days per year, but the good news is your spouse and dependents can help you meet this requirement together. The days are counted cumulatively across the family.
Yes. You can purchase property before or after obtaining your MM2H approval. If you buy before getting the visa, that property counts towards your MM2H requirement. If you buy after, you need to purchase within one year and submit proof of ownership. Either way, this is where having the right property advisor matters.
You can apply to withdraw up to 50% of your fixed deposit after one year from your visa issuance date. The withdrawal must be used for property purchase, education, medical expenses, or tourism in Malaysia. You will need to provide proof of your property purchase and obtain approval from the Tourism Ministry before the bank releases the funds.
You cannot sell the property within the first 10 years. However, there is an exception: you are allowed to sell if you are upgrading to a property of higher value. If you fail to maintain property ownership, your MM2H pass may be revoked.
You can place the fixed deposit in either USD or the equivalent amount in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). The deposit must be placed in a Malaysian bank that is licensed under the Financial Services Act 2013 or Islamic Financial Services Act 2013.
Only Platinum holders are allowed to work or operate a business in Malaysia. For Silver and Gold categories, business and employment activities are not permitted. If needed, you would have to apply for the relevant work pass separately.
You can bring your spouse, biological children, stepchildren, or adopted children under 21 (or aged 21 to 34 if they are single and not working in Malaysia), children with disabilities (no age limit, with medical proof), and your parents and in-laws. Platinum holders can also bring a foreign maid.
The conditional approval letter is valid for 3 months. You must enter Malaysia and complete the endorsement process within that window. If you miss the deadline, you will need to request an extension from the MM2H department.
Yes. Every person aged 18 and above, including the main applicant, spouse, and dependents, must provide a police clearance certificate from their country of origin or country of residence. The certificate must be valid for at least 6 months.
Because property purchase is mandatory under MM2H, and the home you choose is one of the biggest decisions in this process. The wrong property can lock you in for 10 years with poor returns. The right one becomes a real asset. As a luxury realtor based in Penang since 2014, I help MM2H holders navigate the local market, find properties that meet both the programme requirements and your lifestyle, and make sure the transaction is handled properly. Think of it as getting both your visa and your investment right from the start.
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