If you are new to MM2H...

There are various types of visas available to foreigners. Listed below are the common and easy types. Employment, business, and Labuan visas are difficult and expensive to obtain. They are beyond our scope of expertise.

Student visa/Guardian visa

Short-term visa. If the child is no longer studying in Malaysia, the visa lapses.

De Rantau Digital Nomad visa

Short term (1 – 2 years). You are required to pay taxes. The application may take 2 – 3 months to be approved, and it is not easy to get this visa. Children may not be allowed to study in some international schools, and banks may not allow the opening of bank accounts.

Sabah MM2H (SBH-MM2H) or Sarawak MM2H (S-MM2H)

If you plan to stay in Sabah or Sarawak, please apply for the respective MM2H. We strongly recommend you don't stay in Peninsula Malaysia with either the Sabah or Sarawak MM2H. Sarawak MM2H is short-term. At the end of the 10-year period, the applicant must reapply as a new applicant and meet the prevailing requirements (at that point time). There is no automatic renewal. Sabah MM2H does not specify its renewability. The visa given is for 5+5 years. At the fifth year, the state Immigration will check if you have fulfilled the requirements of the respective MM2H. As these visas are new, during the midpoint 5-year extension, we don't know if the State Immigration will ask you to fulfill any new requirements that might be implemented after your visa issuance. Here is a sample approval letter for S-MM2H. Take note of page two, the item marked in yellow.

Peninsula Malaysia MM2H

MM2H is a long-term visa that is renewable every 5 years. At renewal, you just need to show valid passports, a medical checkup showing no infectious diseases like TB, AIDS, hepatitis, etc., and medical insurance (for those who are less than 60 years old). In the event of the passing of the main applicant, the next-of-kin can take over. The benefits above are meant for those who intend to make Malaysia their primary home and not a second home. Parents, parents-in-law, and children are allowed as dependents.

Property purchase is a requirement, and you are given a one-year grace period after the visa is issued on the passport to complete the property purchase. Existing properties can be used to meet the requirement, and no additional purchase is required.

The successful applicant has a 6-month grace period from the date of the approval letter to get the visa issued on the passport. To get the visa issued on the passport, the applicant must deposit funds as a fixed deposit (investment accounts are not acceptable) in a bank operating legally in Malaysia. Medical checkups showing no infectious diseases like TB, AIDS, hepatitis, etc., and medical insurance (for those who are less than 60 years old) are required as well.

Applications with spouses, children, parents, and parents-in-law can be made together in the first application, or they can be added later after the visa is issued. Charges apply if additions of dependents are done later.

How long does it take? We are not sure, although it is possible that the first few batches will be faster. Due to high demand, later batches may be slower. Perhaps 2 – 3 months?

Click here for the summary of the various MM2H programs on one page: https://www.penangmyhome.com/MM2H.pdf

We can help you with all versions of MM2H, but you need to know the details:

• SEZ (Special Economic Zone): If you are not familiar with Malaysia, please visit Johor Bahru. SEZ targets residents of Singapore. Don’t be tempted by the lower fixed deposit and property threshold prices. Visit Johor and see if you like it there or if you want to invest in a property there. You need to buy the property directly from the property developer.

• SILVER: This is the most popular category, and you can stay or buy properties anywhere in Peninsula Malaysia. Visa is renewed every 5 years. You can buy the property from anyone - owner or developer

• GOLD: 15-year visa. The first renewal is on the 15th year. Subsequently, the visa duration is 5 years. You can buy the property from anyone - owner or developer 

• PLATINUM: 20-year visa. The first renewal is on the 20th year. Subsequently, the visa duration is 5 years. This visa is meant for those who want to invest in private companies, work in Malaysia, or run a business here in Malaysia. You can buy the property from anyone - owner or developer

Property Purchase

Although at first glance, the requirements may seem onerous, but if you are planning to stay here long-term, it is best to buy rather than rent. We have had people who rented long-term and only realized that they had spent a huge sum of money on rent. You are only required to lodge ONE property for MM2H purposes. You can buy as many properties as you like. There are no property or inheritance taxes in Malaysia. Unlike other countries in Southeast Asia, you own the property, be it a condo or landed property, be it leasehold or freehold outright under your own name. Put it in your will and hand it down to anyone you wish, and the process is easy and straightforward. Buying a property at the right location and price ensures that you don’t lose money. Please work closely with us and let us advise you.

Medical Insurance

Malaysia has an excellent healthcare system, and medical insurance from locally incorporated companies has very reasonable premiums with good coverage. We will work with you to get the best coverage for your family.

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