Malaysia now provides three distinct residency pathways for foreign nationals—two long‑term “My Second Home” schemes and a newer Premium Visa—each with its own age, income, and investment thresholds.
My Second Home (MM2H) – 5‑year renewable pass
- Eligibility: Primary applicant must be ≥ 35 years old.
- Financial criteria:
- Liquid assets of at least 1.5 million MYR.
- Monthly income of 40 000 MYR.
- Property: Applicants may purchase residential property above 500 000 MYR (or 1 million MYR in certain states), but buying is not mandatory.
- Dependents: Spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be included.
Sarawak My Second Home (SMM2H) – 10‑year renewable pass
- Income‑based route:
- Combined average monthly income of 10 000 MYR for a couple or 7 000 MYR for a single applicant (average over the previous six months).
- Asset‑based route:
- Liquid funds of 100 000 MYR for a couple or 50 000 MYR for a single applicant, demonstrated via bank statements, securities, pensions, etc.
- Age‑specific conditions:
- 40‑49 years: Must either have children enrolled in a Sarawak school or invest in real estate—600 000 MYR in Sarawak or 500 000 MYR elsewhere.
- 30‑39 years: Must have children who are students in Sarawak.
- Residency requirement: Minimum stay of 30 days per year in Sarawak.
- Fees: No government processing fees.
- Dependents: Same as MM2H (spouse and unmarried children under 21).
Premium Visa – up to 20 years (extendable to 40)
- Investment: Fixed deposit of 1 million MYR in a Malaysian bank.
- No principal withdrawals in the first year; up to 50 % of the principal may be withdrawn thereafter.
- Income proof: Offshore earnings of at least 40 000 MYR per month (≈ 480 000 MYR annually).
- Flexibility: No minimum physical presence, no state‑specific stay requirements, and no age limit for the main applicant (subject to immigration rules).
- Dependents: Allows inclusion of spouse, children, parents, parents‑in‑law, and domestic staff.
Practical considerations
- Age matters: Younger applicants (30‑39) must have school‑age children in Sarawak for SMM2H, while those 40‑49 face higher real‑estate investment thresholds.
- Income vs. assets: MM2H relies on high monthly income, whereas SMM2H offers an alternative asset‑based route with lower thresholds.
- Property purchase: Only MM2H mentions optional property buying; SMM2H and the Premium Visa focus on deposits and offshore income.
- Physical presence: SMM2H mandates a 30‑day annual stay in Sarawak; the Premium Visa imposes none, making it attractive for frequent travelers.
These programs give prospective expatriates a range of options—from high‑income retirees to investors seeking long‑term residence—provided they meet the stipulated financial and, where applicable, educational or property requirements.
