Malaysia: MM2H and long-stay residence
MalaysiaAsia- Premium Visa Programme income
- RM40,000 a month or RM480,000 a year, or net worth of at least RM1 billion
- As of 2026-10-25 · [6]
Overview
Malaysia suits retirees, families and location-independent professionals who want a long-term base in South-East Asia with good healthcare, international schools and English widely spoken. Instead of residence by investment in the European sense, it offers renewable passes with multiple-entry visas, each tied to its own financial conditions.
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H), run by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers plus a Special Economic Zone tier in Forest City, Johor. Each tier requires a fixed deposit with a licensed Malaysian bank and the purchase of a home after approval. Applications go through licensed MM2H agents and the One Stop Centre, and the Immigration Department gives final approval.
The Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) of the Immigration Department targets high earners: up to 20 years, no minimum stay and the right to work and do business. The DE Rantau Nomad Pass, administered by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), covers remote workers and freelancers for up to 24 months.
Tax residence depends on days: 182 days or more in a calendar year usually makes you resident. Residents pay progressive rates of up to 30%, non-residents a flat 30% on Malaysian income, and foreign-sourced income received by resident individuals is exempt until the end of 2036, subject to conditions.
Licensed Malaysian immigration agents file the applications and Malaysian tax advisers review the tax position; Redomiciled coordinates the choice of route and the preparation.
- Foreign-sourced income of resident individuals
- Exempt when received from 2022-01-01 to 2036-12-31, subject to conditionsAs of 2026-10-25 · [10]
MM2H and other Malaysian long-stay passes
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is a long-term pass run by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture that lets foreigners live in Malaysia in return for a fixed deposit and a home purchase. As of October 2026, it has Silver, Gold, Platinum and Special Economic Zone tiers, with passes lasting from 5 to 20 years.
MM2H is open to nationals of countries with diplomatic relations with Malaysia, aged 25 or over for Silver, Gold and Platinum and 21 or over for the Special Economic Zone tier. Applications go through an MM2H operator licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the One Stop Centre; the Immigration Department makes the final decision, and a medical check-up at an appointed clinic follows approval.
The fixed deposit is USD 150,000 for Silver, USD 500,000 for Gold and USD 1 million for Platinum. In the Special Economic Zone tier it is USD 65,000 for applicants aged 21 to 49 and USD 32,000 from age 50. Up to half of the deposit can be withdrawn after approval for buying a home, education, medical care or tourism in Malaysia.
Buying a home after approval is compulsory: at least RM600,000 for Silver, RM1 million for Gold and RM2 million for Platinum, or a property in Forest City, Johor, at the state's floor price for the zone tier. The home may not be sold for 10 years except to upgrade to one of higher value. Passes run for 5 years (Silver), 15 years (Gold), 20 years (Platinum) or 10 years (zone tier), and after the programme period they can be renewed in five-year steps.
Participants under 50 must spend 90 days a year in Malaysia, cumulatively; between 25 and 49 the days can be met by the principal or dependants. Spouses, children under 21, unmarried and unemployed children up to 34, children with disabilities and parents or parents-in-law can be included. Only Platinum allows business, investment and career activities.
Two other passes suit different profiles. The Premium Visa Programme offers up to 20 years with no minimum stay and the right to work, for applicants with RM40,000 a month in income and a RM1 million fixed deposit. The DE Rantau Nomad Pass lets remote workers and freelancers earning at least USD 24,000 a year in tech roles, or USD 60,000 in other roles, stay for 3 to 12 months, renewable to 24 months in total.
Licensed MM2H operators and PVIP agencies handle the filings, and Malaysian tax advisers explain the tax effects; we help you choose between the passes and prepare the file.
Who it suits
Retirees and families
You want a long-term base, will buy a home and do not need to work locally (Silver or Gold).
Wealthy families who want to work
You can meet the Platinum deposit and want business and career rights in Malaysia.
High earners without a property plan
You earn RM40,000 a month or more and want no minimum stay (Premium Visa Programme).
Remote workers and freelancers
You work for clients or employers abroad and want up to two years in Malaysia (DE Rantau).
Requirements
- Required
Minimum age
25 for Silver, Gold and Platinum; 21 for the Special Economic Zone tier.
- Required
Licensed operator
MM2H applications go through an operator licensed by the ministry; PVIP through an authorised agency.
- Required
Fixed deposit
With a bank licensed in Malaysia, at the amount for your tier.
- Required
Home purchase
Compulsory after MM2H approval, at or above the tier minimum, and held for 10 years.
- Required
Medical check-up
At a panel clinic or hospital appointed by the ministry, after approval.
- Depends on your case
Dependants
Spouse, children, parents and parents-in-law can be added under the tier rules.
Documents
- PassportIts validity limits the pass period, so renew it in good time.
- Proof of fundsBank statements supporting the fixed deposit; income evidence for PVIP.
- Civil status documentsMarriage and birth certificates for dependants, translated into English where needed.
- Medical reportFrom an appointed clinic or hospital.
- Home purchase documentsSale and purchase agreement for the MM2H property.
- Employment or client evidenceContract, three months of payslips or invoices and bank statements, for DE Rantau.
- MM2H Platinum
- USD 1 million deposit; home of RM2 million or more; 20-year passWork and business permittedAs of 2026-10-25 · [2]
- MM2H Gold
- USD 500,000 deposit; home of RM1 million or more; 15-year passAs of 2026-10-25 · [3]
- MM2H Silver
- USD 150,000 deposit; home of RM600,000 or more; 5-year passAs of 2026-10-25 · [4]
- MM2H Special Economic Zone
- USD 65,000 deposit (age 21–49) or USD 32,000 (50+); home in Forest City; 10-year passAs of 2026-10-25 · [5]
- Deposit withdrawal
- Up to 50% after approval, for a home, education, medical care or tourismAs of 2026-10-25 · [1]
- Minimum stay
- 90 days a year, cumulative, below age 50As of 2026-10-25 · [1]
- Minimum age
- 25 (Silver, Gold, Platinum); 21 (Special Economic Zone)As of 2026-10-25 · [1]
- Premium Visa Programme
- Up to 20 years; RM1,000,000 fixed deposit; no minimum stayAs of 2026-10-25 · [6]
- DE Rantau Nomad Pass
- 3–12 months, renewable to a maximum of 24 monthsAs of 2026-10-25 · [7]
Timeline
- 1Choose the passMM2H tier, Premium Visa Programme or DE Rantau, based on stay, work and budget.
- 2Appoint a licensed operatorPrepare the file and submit it through the One Stop Centre or the immigration portal.
- 3Approval and conditionsPlace the fixed deposit and complete the medical check-up.
- 4Buy the homeComplete the compulsory MM2H purchase at or above the tier minimum.
- 5Pass, stays and renewalsReceive the pass with a multiple-entry visa, meet the 90-day rule if under 50, and renew in time.
Tax notes
- Tax residence is day-based: 182 days or more in Malaysia in a calendar year generally makes you resident. Holding a pass does not by itself make you resident.
- Residents pay progressive rates from 0% up to 30% on Malaysian income above RM2 million; non-residents pay a flat 30%.
- Foreign-sourced income received in Malaysia by resident individuals between 2022 and the end of 2036 is exempt, subject to conditions; MM2H also lists tax exemption on incoming foreign funds such as the fixed deposit.
- Dividends are generally tax-free under the single-tier system, but since the 2025 year of assessment individuals pay 2% on annual dividend income above RM100,000 from resident companies.
General information, not tax advice. Your position depends on your circumstances.
Banking fit
- The fixed deposit anchors both MM2H and the Premium Visa Programme, so choose a bank early and agree on how withdrawals for approved purposes work.
- Malaysian banks offer multi-currency and international transfer services, subject to their own customer due diligence.
Questions
What are the new MM2H requirements?
MM2H now has Silver, Gold, Platinum and Special Economic Zone tiers. Each requires a fixed deposit with a Malaysian bank, a compulsory home purchase after approval, a medical check-up and, below age 50, 90 days a year in Malaysia.
How much is the MM2H fixed deposit?
USD 150,000 for Silver, USD 500,000 for Gold and USD 1 million for Platinum. In the Forest City zone tier it is USD 65,000 for ages 21 to 49 and USD 32,000 from 50. Up to half can be withdrawn after approval for approved purposes.
How many days must I stay in Malaysia under MM2H?
Participants under 50 must be in Malaysia for 90 days a year, counted cumulatively. Between 25 and 49, the days can be met by the principal, the dependants or both. From age 50 the stay requirement does not apply.
Can I buy any property for MM2H?
The home must meet the tier minimum: RM600,000 for Silver, RM1 million for Gold and RM2 million for Platinum, or a property in Forest City for the zone tier. It must be kept for 10 years unless you upgrade to a more valuable home.
What is the Malaysia Premium Visa Programme?
A pass of up to 20 years from the Immigration Department, with no minimum stay and permission to work and run a business. It requires RM40,000 a month in income or RM1 billion in net worth, plus a RM1 million fixed deposit.
Does Malaysia have a digital nomad visa?
Yes, the DE Rantau Nomad Pass. Remote workers and freelancers need at least USD 24,000 a year in tech roles or USD 60,000 in other roles. The pass runs for 3 to 12 months and can be renewed to 24 months in total.
Banking in our network
We do not publish institution names: the right partner depends on your profile, and each institution keeps its own view on who it will serve.
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No partner institution in our network is based here; companies and residents here are introduced to partners in other jurisdictions.
- Both MM2H and the Premium Visa Programme require a fixed deposit with a licensed Malaysian bank, so a local banking relationship is part of the application itself. Withdrawals are capped and tied to approved purposes.
- In our experience Malaysian banks usually identify new customers in person. Malaysian banks are outside our banking network; international accounts can be planned separately through our banking assessment.
Questions
Does MM2H lead to permanent residence or citizenship?
No. MM2H is a long-term pass with a multiple-entry visa. Once the programme period ends, it can be renewed in five-year steps with fresh documents, but it does not convert into permanent residence or citizenship.
Is foreign income taxed in Malaysia?
For resident individuals, foreign-sourced income received in Malaysia between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2036 is exempt, subject to conditions; income from a Malaysian partnership is excluded. Malaysian-source income is taxed at progressive rates of up to 30%.
Can I work in Malaysia on MM2H?
Only in the Platinum tier, which permits business, investment and career activities. Silver, Gold and Special Economic Zone participants may not work or run a business in Malaysia under their pass.
Sources
- 1.Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MM2H): Requirements and regulations, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 2.MM2H: Platinum category, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 3.MM2H: Gold category, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 4.MM2H: Silver category, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 5.MM2H: Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone category, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 6.Immigration Department of Malaysia: Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) FAQ, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 7.MDEC: DE Rantau Pass FAQ, version 10.0 (28 August 2026), retrieved 2026-10-25
- 8.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Malaysia, taxes on personal income, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 9.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Malaysia, individual residence, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 10.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Malaysia, income determination (foreign income, dividends), retrieved 2026-10-25
- 11.Redomiciled internal notes: MM2H high-level summary (internal), retrieved 2026-10-25
- 12.Redomiciled internal notes: Malaysia residence and structuring overview (internal), retrieved 2026-10-25
- 13.Redomiciled internal notes: Malaysia tax residence and programmes (internal), retrieved 2026-10-25
Reviewed by the Redomiciled team on .
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