Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Requirements: Complete 2026 Guide
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is a long-term residence programme for eligible foreigners who want to make Malaysia their second home.
The programme now operates through several categories with different fixed-deposit, property, participation-fee and pass-duration requirements. This guide explains the current federal MM2H framework in practical terms.
What Is Malaysia My Second Home?
Malaysia My Second Home, commonly known as MM2H, is a Malaysian programme designed for eligible foreign nationals seeking a long-term stay arrangement in Malaysia.
It should not be confused with Malaysian permanent residence, citizenship or an ordinary employment pass.
Renewable Pass
The duration depends on the MM2H category selected.
Dependants
Eligible family members may be included subject to programme conditions.
Fixed Deposit
Applicants must meet the fixed-deposit requirement for their category.
Residential Purchase
Property purchase requirements apply under the programme.
The Platinum category provides a longer renewable MM2H term, but the current programme should not be advertised as automatically granting Malaysian Permanent Residence.
MM2H Categories at a Glance
| Category | Fixed Deposit | Property | Term | Participation Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | USD 150,000 | RM 600,000+ | 5 Years | RM 1,000 |
| Gold | USD 500,000 | RM 1,000,000+ | 15 Years | RM 3,000 |
| Platinum | USD 1,000,000 | RM 2,000,000+ | 20 Years | RM 200,000 |
| SEZ / SFZ Age 21–49 |
USD 65,000 | According to relevant SEZ development requirement | 10 Years | RM 1,000 |
| SEZ / SFZ Age 50+ |
USD 32,000 | According to relevant SEZ development requirement | 10 Years | RM 1,000 |
Programme requirements should always be reconfirmed against the latest MOTAC terms before application.
MM2H Silver Category
Silver is the entry federal category under the current tiered MM2H framework.
The pass is renewable subject to the prevailing programme requirements. Applicants should budget separately for property acquisition, processing, professional services and other associated costs.
MM2H Gold Category
Gold substantially increases the financial commitment in exchange for a longer MM2H term.
The category may suit applicants seeking a longer-term Malaysia base and who are comfortable with the substantially higher fixed-deposit and residential-property commitment.
MM2H Platinum Category
Platinum is the highest tier in the current federal MM2H framework.
The financial commitment is significantly higher than Silver and Gold. The 20-year MM2H term is renewable subject to the applicable requirements.
Do not describe Platinum as automatically providing Malaysian Permanent Residence. MM2H and Permanent Residence are different statuses.
MM2H SEZ / SFZ Category
Malaysia also provides a Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone MM2H route with lower fixed-deposit requirements but specific property conditions connected to qualifying developments.
Fixed deposit
Fixed deposit
Renewable
Principal applicant
The minimum property requirement follows the price determined for the relevant SEZ residential development rather than the ordinary Silver, Gold or Platinum property threshold.
How Does the MM2H Fixed Deposit Work?
The fixed deposit is one of the core financial requirements of the current MM2H programme.
Can You Withdraw the Fixed Deposit?
Under the current framework, a maximum of 50% may be withdrawn after the permitted period for approved purposes including residential property purchase, medical treatment, education and tourism activities in Malaysia.
If you plan to establish or invest in a Malaysian business, prepare separate business capital rather than building the commercial plan around withdrawing the MM2H deposit.
Is Property Purchase Compulsory Under MM2H?
The current federal MM2H framework includes compulsory residential property acquisition requirements after approval.
Minimum qualifying residential property value.
Minimum qualifying residential property value.
Minimum qualifying residential property value.
The approved residence is subject to programme restrictions concerning disposal. Applicants should also check state-level foreign-property rules before committing to a purchase because property requirements can involve additional rules outside MM2H itself.
How Many Days Must an MM2H Participant Stay in Malaysia?
The current programme distinguishes between younger and older applicants.
90 Days Per Year
The annual requirement can be satisfied collectively by the principal applicant and/or spouse and dependants according to the programme conditions.
No Minimum Annual Stay
The current MOTAC overview states that there is no minimum annual stay requirement for this age group.
The age framework differs from the ordinary Silver, Gold and Platinum categories.
Who Can Be Included as an MM2H Dependant?
The current MM2H framework provides considerably broader family coverage than some older versions of the programme.
Dependent eligibility should be checked individually because age, marital status, employment and other conditions can affect qualification.
Can MM2H Holders Work or Run a Business?
This requires more careful treatment than older MM2H articles often suggest. Owning a Malaysian company, investing in a business and having permission to perform employment or operational work are separate legal questions.
MM2H can be your family’s long-term residence strategy while a properly structured Malaysian company can separately form part of your investment or business strategy.
Does MM2H Automatically Make Foreign Income Taxable in Malaysia?
MM2H status and Malaysian tax treatment are not the same question. Tax exposure depends on Malaysian tax law, residence status, the nature and source of income and the prevailing foreign-sourced income rules.
Tax rules change independently of MM2H programme conditions. Applicants with international income, investments or businesses should obtain tax advice based on their actual circumstances.
How the MM2H Application Process Works
MM2H or Business Setup in Malaysia?
They solve different problems.
Residence-Focused
- Long-term Malaysia lifestyle
- Family residence planning
- Fixed deposit requirement
- Residential property requirement
- No need to create a business merely to qualify
Business-Focused
- Build and operate a Malaysian business
- Corporate bank-account pathway
- Revenue-generating commercial activity
- Employment-pass routes where eligible
- Capital deployed into the business rather than MM2H qualification
If your primary objective is to actively build a business and generate income in Malaysia, compare the MM2H route against a properly structured company + eligible expatriate-pass strategy before committing substantial funds to either pathway.
Choosing an MM2H Category
Silver
For applicants comfortable with a USD150,000 fixed deposit and RM600,000+ property requirement.
Gold
For applicants seeking a substantially longer pass with higher financial commitment.
Platinum
For applicants with significant capital seeking the longest federal MM2H term.
SEZ / SFZ
For eligible applicants willing to meet the special-zone property conditions in return for a lower fixed deposit.
MM2H Mistakes to Avoid
Using Old Requirements
MM2H changed substantially after the older RM1 million deposit framework.
Assuming Platinum = PR
A long MM2H pass should not be confused with Permanent Residence.
Ignoring Property Cost
The fixed deposit is not the only major financial commitment.
Using Deposit as Business Capital
Plan separate capital for any Malaysian company or investment.
Assuming Work Rights
Residence status and employment authorisation should be treated separately.
Choosing by Deposit Alone
Pass duration, property, family and long-term objectives matter too.
Planning Your Long-Term Move or Investment in Malaysia?
Your best structure depends on what you actually want to achieve: long-term family residence, property ownership, business investment, active business operations—or a combination of them.
Our advisory team can help evaluate the commercial structure around your Malaysia plan and coordinate with the appropriate licensed professionals where specialist MM2H processing is required.