Malaysia My Second Home
MM2H Malaysia: make Malaysia your second home
Harvestman is a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agency. We help you work out which category you can realistically meet, prepare the documentation, and submit through the proper channel.
You will know what the programme asks of you — and what it costs — before you commit anything.
- Licensed MM2H agency
- Kuala Lumpur based
- Guidance from preparation to submission
- International applicants
The programme
What is Malaysia My Second Home?
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is a visa programme run by the Government of Malaysia that grants eligible foreign nationals a renewable, multiple-entry social visit pass. It is a long-term residency pass — a long term visa for living in Malaysia rather than a travel visa, a work permit, or a route to citizenship. For most participants it is a way to hold a settled, legal base in Malaysia while keeping their affairs elsewhere intact.
The programme is administered by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) through the One Stop Centre (OSC MM2H). Immigration matters, including the final approval, sit with the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Immigration Department of Malaysia. That split matters: no agency, Harvestman included, decides whether you are approved.
Applications also cannot be lodged directly by the applicant. Every MM2H application must be submitted through a tour operating business licensed by MOTAC under the Tourism Industry Act 1992. Using a licensed agency is a requirement of the programme, not an optional convenience.
Four categories, four different commitments
MM2H is organised into Silver, Gold, Platinum and a Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone (SEZ/SFZ) route. They differ in three ways that actually change your decision: the capital you must place and keep in Malaysia, how long the pass runs, and what MM2H applicants are permitted to do once they hold it. Silver, Gold and Platinum open at 25; the SEZ/SFZ route opens to applicants aged 21 years old and above, and reduces its deposit again once you are 50 years old.
That last point is the one most people miss. Only one category permits you to work or run a business in Malaysia. If earning an income here is part of your plan, it narrows your options immediately. Compare the four categories.
Programmes
Which MM2H programme fits your plans?
Start from what you want your life here to look like, then check which category supports it. The figures below are the published requirements at the time of review.
Silver
Lowest entry. A long-term base without working here.
- Pass
- 5 years, renewable
- Fixed deposit
- USD 150,000
- Work or business
- Not allowed
Gold
Three times the term for a larger deposit.
- Pass
- 15 years, renewable
- Fixed deposit
- USD 500,000
- Work or business
- Not allowed
Platinum
The only category that permits work or business.
- Pass
- 20 years, renewable
- Fixed deposit
- USD 1,000,000
- Work or business
- Permissible
SEZ / SFZ
Much lower deposit, but the property must be in Forest City.
- Pass
- 10 years, renewable
- Fixed deposit
- USD 65,000 / 32,000 (50+)
- Work or business
- Not allowed
Harvestman does not determine eligibility. Approval rests with the Malaysian authorities.
Not sure which of these you could actually meet?
The long view
A move, or an option to move?
Most guides treat MM2H as a relocation decision: you move, you live here, you renew. For a good number of participants that is exactly what it is. But the programme is written in a way that also supports a second, quieter use, and it is worth understanding before you choose a category.
You do not necessarily have to be the one who stays
Participants must be present in Malaysia for a cumulative 90 days in one year. For participants aged 25 to 49, the published guidelines state that this length of stay may be fulfilled by the principal and/or their dependants. A spouse or children resident here can satisfy the requirement while the principal continues to work elsewhere.
Set that against the terms: 20 years on Platinum, 15 on Gold, 10 on SEZ/SFZ, each renewable. And should the principal die, the pass is transferable to the next-of-kin among the registered dependants. These are long-dated, inheritable arrangements, not short-stay permits.
Taken together, MM2H can function as a standing option on living in Malaysia — a legal, durable route that is already open if your circumstances change, rather than one you begin arranging at the point you need it. For families holding careers in Singapore, Hong Kong or elsewhere in the region, that is often the real attraction.
But the option is not free, and you should price it honestly
Holding MM2H means capital sitting still. The fixed deposit stays with a Malaysian institution, and while up to 50% of the principal may be withdrawn after approval for a residence, education, or medical and tourism activities in Malaysia, the balance remains committed. The property purchase is compulsory after approval and cannot be sold for 10 years unless you are upgrading to one of higher value.
So the honest framing is not “a free safety net”. It is a long-dated commitment of capital in exchange for long-dated certainty of access. Whether that trade is worth making depends on your circumstances, your other options, and what you think you are insuring against. We would rather talk that through with you than sell you a category.
Weighing a move against simply having the option?
Where would you feel at home?
A city base, an island lifestyle, or a new chapter in the south. Select a location and imagine your everyday life here.
Kuala Lumpur
A connected city base.
Imagine a home with the city within reach. Start with the neighbourhood, then think about the routines that would make it yours.
- Explore Mont Kiara, Bangsar or KL city living
- Plan around schooling and everyday routines
- Discuss your preferred home and surroundings
Your enquiry: Kuala Lumpur. No obligation.
Penang
An island rhythm of your own.
Picture your week between neighbourhood life and time by the coast. Tell us whether you prefer a lively urban setting or a quieter residential base.
- Consider George Town and island neighbourhoods
- Balance city convenience with coastal living
- Discuss where you would like to settle
Your enquiry: Penang. No obligation.
Johor
Your next chapter in the south.
Explore a southern base around Johor Bahru or Iskandar Puteri. If Forest City interests you, ask us to explain that specific programme route.
- Explore Johor Bahru and Iskandar Puteri
- Consider your family and cross-border travel plans
- Ask separately about the Forest City route
Your enquiry: Johor. No obligation.
Explore these locations as lifestyle ideas. Your programme and property requirements need a separate review; selecting Johor does not mean every property qualifies for the Forest City route. This map shows Peninsular Malaysia only.
Requirements
MM2H requirements in 2026
Two things are worth understanding before you read the numbers. First, most of the financial commitments fall after approval, not before — you are not asked to place a million dollars, or buy an RM 2 million residence, to find out whether you qualify. Second, the categories are not simply cheaper and more expensive versions of the same thing: the rights attached to them differ, and only one of them leaves you allowed to work.
| Category | Pass duration | Fixed deposit | Participating fee | Property | Min. age | Work / business |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | 5 years, renewable | USD 150,000 | RM 1,000 | From RM 600,000 | 25 | Not allowed |
| Gold | 15 years, renewable | USD 500,000 | RM 3,000 | From RM 1,000,000 | 25 | Not allowed |
| Platinum | 20 years, renewable | USD 1,000,000 | RM 200,000 | From RM 2,000,000 | 25 | Permissible |
| SEZ / SFZ | 10 years, renewable | USD 65,000 (21–49) USD 32,000 (50+) | RM 1,000 | Forest City, Johor — floor price per Johor state policy | 21 | Not allowed |
Fixed deposit
Held with a Malaysian financial institution licensed under the Financial Services Act 2013 or the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013. After approval, up to 50% of the principal may be withdrawn for a residence, education, or medical and tourism activities in Malaysia. The remainder stays in place.
Property purchase
Compulsory after approval, not before. The purchase must meet your category’s threshold, and the property cannot be sold for 10 years — unless you are upgrading to a residence of higher value.
Minimum stay
Participants must be present in Malaysia for a cumulative 90 days in one year. For participants aged 25 to 49, that requirement can be met by the principal and/or their dependants rather than the principal alone.
Medical check-up
Compulsory for the principal and every dependant, at a clinic or hospital on the MOTAC-appointed panel, after approval to participate is received.
Dependants
Spouse; biological, step or adopted children under 21; children aged 21 to 34 who remain unemployed and single while in Malaysia; medically certified disabled children with no age limit; and parents or parents-in-law. Platinum participants may additionally bring foreign domestic help.
Education and medical
Dependent children may pursue education at private educational institutions in Malaysia, subject to obtaining a Student Pass. The Student Pass application must be submitted separately, and we provide assistance and application services to facilitate the process. The published guidelines also allow dependants to pursue education up to tertiary level at government-recognised higher learning institutions. Long-term medical treatment is permitted within the pass validity period, though medical expenses themselves remain yours to fund or insure.
Work and business
Business and investment activity and career opportunities are permissible under Platinum only. Under Silver, Gold and SEZ/SFZ, neither is allowed, so an employment contract with a Malaysian employer is not open to you on those categories. Platinum participants may also bring a foreign domestic worker. This is the single biggest practical difference between the categories.
Tax treatment
The programme provides tax exemption on incoming foreign funds such as the fixed deposit. Tax position varies with individual circumstances and residency status, so take professional advice rather than planning from a general statement.
Pass validity and renewal
The pass is renewable and issued with a Multiple Entry Visa. Its validity is tied to the validity of your passport — if the passport expires first, the pass is affected, so passport renewal timing matters.
Last reviewed: 15 September 2026. Source: the official MM2H programme guidelines and category pages published by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture — mm2h.gov.my.
Requirements may vary and regulations can change. Harvestman is a licensed agency, not a government body, and has no role in the approval decision. Applicants should obtain professional advice for their individual circumstances, including on tax, property and legal matters.
Process
How an MM2H application actually proceeds
The process has several stages and involves more than one government body. It is not effortless, and we will not pretend otherwise. What it is, is predictable — you can know what happens at each stage and what is expected of you. We do not publish a processing time, because that is not ours to promise.
Eligibility review
We look at age, available funds, dependants and what you want to do in Malaysia, then identify which category is realistic — including, where it applies, the answer that none currently is. Better to know now than three months in.
Document preparation
Passports, financial evidence and supporting records are assembled and checked against the current checklist. Certification requirements vary by document and by country of origin, so we confirm what needs a certified true copy (CTC), what needs a notary public, what needs legalisation at an embassy, and what needs translation into the English language. Most delays begin here, with documents that are incomplete, expired or inconsistent, so this stage is worth doing slowly.
Application submission
Your application is lodged through Harvestman as a MOTAC-licensed agency, via the One Stop Centre MM2H. This is the only route available — applicants cannot submit directly.
Government review
The application is assessed by the Malaysian authorities. Final approval is a matter for the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Immigration Department. We keep you informed, but no agency can accelerate or guarantee this stage.
Post-approval requirements
Once your approval comes through, the fixed deposit is placed with a licensed Malaysian institution, the medical check-up is completed at a panel clinic to provide proof of medical fitness, and the property purchase is arranged within your category’s threshold. This is where most of the capital commitment and payment actually happens.
MM2H pass and relocation
Visa issuance follows: the pass is endorsed with its Multiple Entry Visa and the practical side of living in Malaysia begins — banking, schooling, healthcare registration and settling into a home. We stay reachable through this period rather than closing the file at approval.
Why Malaysia
What daily life here actually looks like
For many international residents, living in Malaysia offers the convenience of a modern Asian city alongside established healthcare, education and regional connectivity — without the cost base of Singapore or Hong Kong. It is worth being specific about what a long stay in Malaysia actually means day to day.
A city that is easy to live in
Kuala Lumpur is a working capital rather than a resort. English is widely spoken in professional and clinical settings, which removes much of the friction that makes relocation exhausting elsewhere. Neighbourhoods such as Mont Kiara, Bangsar and Damansara have long-established international communities, condominium living with shared facilities, and the ordinary conveniences — groceries, clinics, banking — within a short drive.
Healthcare you can plan around
Malaysia has a mature private hospital sector concentrated in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor, and MM2H permits long-term medical treatment within the pass validity period. For applicants in their fifties and sixties, this is often the deciding factor rather than a footnote — being able to keep a consultant, a specialist and a hospital in the same city you live in.
Schooling for the whole stay
Dependent children may pursue education at private educational institutions here, including a large international school sector offering British, American and IB curricula — which matters if your family may move on again later and needs continuity. That route is subject to obtaining a Student Pass; the application must be submitted separately, and we provide assistance and application services to facilitate the process. The published guidelines also allow dependants to study up to tertiary level at government-recognised higher learning institutions.
Well placed for the region
Kuala Lumpur is a regional hub with direct links across Asia, the Gulf and Australia, so family visits and business travel stay manageable. Day to day, Malaysia is genuinely multicultural — Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous communities living alongside each other — which tends to make arriving here less isolating than a single-culture destination.
The question is not whether Malaysia is appealing. It is whether it fits the next twenty years of your plans.
Why Harvestman
A licensed agency you can check
MM2H applications can only be lodged through a MOTAC-licensed tour operating business, so every legitimate MM2H agent holds that licence. It is the floor, not a distinction. What is worth judging an agency on is whether its claims can be verified and how carefully your case is handled.
Licensed MM2H agency
HARVESTMAN (MM2H) SDN BHD holds licence MM2H887, issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and valid from 16 December 2024 to 15 December 2028. It is registered as a head office under the inbound category.
You do not have to take that on trust: the licence appears in MOTAC’s public register of licensed MM2H companies under MM2H887 — and you should ask any agency you speak to for the same.
Guidance from preparation to submission
From the first eligibility conversation through document preparation, submission and the post-approval requirements, you deal with the same team rather than being passed between departments. If your circumstances do not fit the programme, we will say so at the first stage.
Kuala Lumpur presence
Suite E-8-4, Block E, Plaza Mont Kiara, No. 2 Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. An address you can visit is a reasonable thing to expect from an agency handling a commitment of this size.
Support through the application journey
We work with applicants applying from outside Malaysia as well as expatriates already resident here, and we stay reachable after approval, when the fixed deposit, medical and property steps actually fall due.
Fees and renewal
Visa fees, renewal and the long-term commitments
Most guides stop at the fixed deposit. In practice, MM2H participants also carry a small set of recurring obligations, and the rules for what happens after the initial term are published. These are worth knowing before you plan around a twenty-year horizon.
Visa fees on renewal
The MM2H sticker pass is renewable every five years, or in line with your passport validity. The published renewal fees are a Visa Fee of RM0 to RM50 depending on the participant’s nationality, plus a Fixed Pass Fee of RM500 per year.
Medical insurance at renewal
Once the maximum programme term has been completed, the pass can be renewed every five years. MM2H holders are required to produce a copy of a valid passport, a copy of the latest medical report, and health insurance. Renewals go to the One Stop Centre MM2H or to Malaysian Immigration.
Passport validity
If your passport expires before the MM2H pass does, you must renew the security sticker into the new passport. Because the duration of stay permitted is tied to passport validity, passport renewal timing is a practical part of maintaining the visa.
Opening the fixed deposit
After approval you open a fixed deposit account with a bank in Malaysia licensed under the Financial Services Act 2013 or the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013. Amounts are set in US dollars; the participating fee and property thresholds are set in MYR.
Buying the property
To purchase a property in Malaysia you will sign a sales and purchase agreement and complete the transfer under Malaysian conveyancing practice. Foreign ownership floor prices are set by state, which is why the SEZ route ties you to the Forest City development in Johor.
If the principal dies
The MM2H pass is transferable to the next-of-kin among the registered dependants in the event of the death of the principal, so a family’s right to reside in Malaysia does not end with the applicant.
Applying in Sabah or Sarawak? This page covers the federal Malaysia My Second Home programme administered by MOTAC, whose special economic zones route currently applies to Forest City in Johor, in Peninsular Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak administer certain immigration matters separately from the federal government, so if you are considering Sarawak MM2H or a Sabah equivalent, ask us which programme applies to your intended state before planning around the figures above.
If MM2H is not the right fit. Malaysia operates other long-stay routes, including a separate digital nomad visa, with their own criteria. Where MM2H does not suit your circumstances we will say so and point you toward the pass that might, rather than starting an application that is unlikely to succeed.
Consultation
Not sure which MM2H category may suit you?
Your age, family situation and long-term plans can all affect which MM2H option is worth considering — and whether you want to work here changes the answer entirely. Tell us a little about your circumstances and our team can help you understand the available pathways.
If the programme is not a fit for you, we will tell you plainly rather than start an application.
FAQ
Common questions about MM2H
What is the MM2H visa?
MM2H is a renewable, multiple-entry social visit pass for eligible foreign nationals who want a long-term base in Malaysia. It is not a work permit in most categories, and it does not lead automatically to permanent residence or citizenship.
What are the MM2H requirements in 2026?
Each category sets its own fixed deposit, one-off participating fee and minimum property value, and all participants face a cumulative 90-day annual stay requirement, a compulsory post-approval medical check-up and a compulsory property purchase. The full comparison is in the requirements section above, with the official source and review date.
What is the minimum age for MM2H?
25 for the Silver, Gold and Platinum categories, and 21 for the SEZ/SFZ category.
How much fixed deposit is required?
USD 150,000 for Silver, USD 500,000 for Gold and USD 1,000,000 for Platinum. SEZ/SFZ requires USD 65,000 for ages 21 to 49, or USD 32,000 for ages 50 and above. After approval, up to 50% of the principal may be withdrawn for a residence, education, or medical and tourism activities in Malaysia.
Is property purchase compulsory?
Yes, after approval. The purchase must meet your category’s threshold, and the property cannot be sold for 10 years unless you are upgrading to one of higher value. For SEZ/SFZ the property must be in Forest City, Johor.
Do I really have to stay 90 days a year?
Participants must be present in Malaysia for a cumulative 90 days in one year. For participants aged 25 to 49, that requirement may be fulfilled by the principal and/or their dependants rather than the principal alone.
Can my spouse and children join me?
Yes. A spouse; biological, step or adopted children under 21; children aged 21 to 34 who remain unemployed and single while in Malaysia; medically certified disabled children with no age limit; and parents or parents-in-law. Platinum participants may also bring foreign domestic help.
Can I work in Malaysia under MM2H?
Only under the Platinum category, where business and investment activities and career opportunities are both permissible. Under Silver, Gold and SEZ/SFZ, neither is allowed. If working here is part of your plan, this determines your category before any other consideration does.
How long is the MM2H pass valid?
Five years for Silver, 15 for Gold, 20 for Platinum and 10 for SEZ/SFZ, each renewable and issued with a Multiple Entry Visa. In every case the pass validity is tied to the validity of your passport, so passport renewal timing matters.
Can I apply for MM2H myself?
No. Every application must be submitted through a tour operating business licensed by MOTAC under the Tourism Industry Act 1992, and processed through the One Stop Centre MM2H. This is a condition of the programme.
What are the MM2H visa fees on renewal?
The sticker pass is renewable every five years or in line with passport validity. Published renewal fees are a Visa Fee of RM0 to RM50 depending on nationality, plus a Fixed Pass Fee of RM500 per year.
Do I need medical insurance?
Yes at renewal. Once the maximum programme term has been completed, MM2H participants renewing the pass must produce a valid passport copy, the latest medical report and health insurance. A medical checkup at a MOTAC panel clinic is also compulsory after initial approval.
Is approval guaranteed?
No, and you should treat any agency that promises otherwise with caution. Applications are assessed by the Malaysian authorities, and final approval rests with the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Immigration Department. What an agency can do is make sure your application is complete, accurate and correctly lodged.