In short: MM2H is Malaysia's long-stay residence programme for foreigners. It has four categories (Silver, Gold, Platinum and SEZ/SFZ), each with a fixed deposit, a one-off fee, a compulsory property purchase and a renewable pass of 5 to 20 years. Applications go through a licensed MM2H operator, not directly to the government.
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is the government's long-stay residence programme for foreigners. Since its 2002 launch it has been reworked several times, and today it runs on four categories, each with its own fixed deposit, fee, property rule and pass length. This guide pulls the official figures into one place and explains what each requirement means in practice, especially the part most guides skip: the property you must buy.
MM2H quick facts (2026)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H), run by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) |
| Categories | Silver, Gold, Platinum, SEZ/SFZ |
| Minimum age | 25 (Silver, Gold, Platinum); 21 (SEZ/SFZ) |
| Fixed deposit | USD150,000 (Silver); USD500,000 (Gold); USD1,000,000 (Platinum); USD65,000 for ages 21–49 or USD32,000 for 50+ (SEZ/SFZ) |
| One-off participating fee | RM1,000 (Silver); RM3,000 (Gold); RM200,000 (Platinum); RM1,000 (SEZ/SFZ) |
| Pass validity | 5 years (Silver); 15 years (Gold); 20 years (Platinum); 10 years (SEZ/SFZ), all renewable |
| Property purchase | Compulsory: RM600,000 or above (Silver), RM1,000,000 or above (Gold), RM2,000,000 or above (Platinum); Forest City, Johor for SEZ/SFZ |
| Minimum stay | 90 days (cumulative) a year for participants below 50 |
| Work or business | Permitted for Platinum only |
| How to apply | Only through an MM2H operator licensed by MOTAC |
Why people choose Malaysia
The official programme describes Malaysia as a destination known for cost-effective living, cultural diversity and quality of life. In practice, the draw for most applicants is a long, renewable pass (up to 20 years on Platinum), the ability to bring a spouse, children and parents under one application, an exemption from tax on foreign funds (confirm the exact scope with the Ministry or an operator), and access to long-term medical treatment and tertiary education for dependants.
The four categories at a glance
| Silver | Gold | Platinum | SEZ / SFZ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed deposit | USD150,000 | USD500,000 | USD1,000,000 | USD65,000 (21–49) / USD32,000 (50+) |
| Participating fee (one-off) | RM1,000 | RM3,000 | RM200,000 | RM1,000 |
| Property to buy | RM600,000+ | RM1,000,000+ | RM2,000,000+ | Forest City, Johor (state policy) |
| Pass validity | 5 years | 15 years | 20 years | 10 years |
| Renewal fee | RM1,500 | RM3,000 | RM5,000 | RM300 |
| Business / career | Not allowed | Not allowed | Permitted | Not allowed |
Full side-by-side detail is in the Silver vs Gold vs Platinum vs SEZ comparison, and every cost is broken down in the MM2H cost guide.
Who can apply
The programme is open to eligible individuals from sovereign countries that have diplomatic relations with Malaysia. You must be 25 or older for Silver, Gold and Platinum, or 21 or older for SEZ/SFZ. Dependants can include your spouse, children (below 21, or 21 to 34 if unemployed and single while in Malaysia), medically certified children with disabilities of any age, and parents or parents-in-law. Platinum participants can also bring a foreign maid. The requirements and application guide covers documents and the step-by-step process.
How the application works, in short
You cannot file with the government directly. A licensed MM2H operator submits your documents to the One Stop Centre MM2H, which reviews them. If accepted, you receive an approval notice and then have 90 days to prepare the final documents (fixed deposit certificate, health insurance, a medical check-up report from a panel clinic, a stamped personal bond and a valid passport). After you pay the fees, the pass is endorsed. Immigration matters and the final approval sit with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The property you must buy
This is where most readers need more than the official summary. Buying a residence is not optional on the mainland categories: you must purchase and own one after approval, at or above your category's minimum value, and you cannot sell it for 10 years (upgrading to a higher-value residence is allowed). Failing the terms can lead to the pass being revoked. Because the home is a 10-year commitment, it is worth choosing for location, rental demand and resale, not just to clear the price floor. See buying property for MM2H for the rules and current projects by category.
Where MM2H participants usually live
Most MM2H buyers shortlist Kuala Lumpur city centre, Petaling Jaya, Penang and Johor Bahru, mainly for hospitals, international schools, transport links and airport access. Browse all areas to compare.
Frequently asked questions
What is MM2H?
MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) is a Malaysian government programme that gives eligible foreigners a renewable social visit pass with a multiple-entry visa, so they can live in Malaysia long term. It is run by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, with immigration approval handled by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
What are the MM2H categories in 2026?
There are four: Silver, Gold, Platinum and SEZ/SFZ (Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone). Passes last 5, 15, 20 and 10 years respectively, and all are renewable.
How much is the MM2H fixed deposit?
USD150,000 for Silver, USD500,000 for Gold and USD1,000,000 for Platinum. SEZ/SFZ is USD65,000 for ages 21 to 49 and USD32,000 for ages 50 and above. The deposit must sit in a Malaysian financial institution licensed under the Financial Services Act 2013 or the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013.
Do I have to buy property for MM2H?
Yes. The official guidelines say it is compulsory to purchase and own a residence after approval: RM600,000 or above for Silver, RM1,000,000 or above for Gold, RM2,000,000 or above for Platinum. SEZ/SFZ participants buy in Forest City, Johor, subject to Johor state policy. The residence cannot be sold for 10 years, although you can upgrade to a higher-value one.
Who can apply for MM2H?
Eligible individuals from sovereign countries that have diplomatic relations with Malaysia, aged 25 or above for Silver, Gold and Platinum, or 21 or above for SEZ/SFZ. Spouses, children, and parents or parents-in-law can be included as dependants.
Can I work in Malaysia on MM2H?
Only Platinum participants may conduct business or investment activities and take up career opportunities. Silver, Gold and SEZ/SFZ participants are not permitted to do so under the official guidelines.
Can I apply for MM2H directly?
No. Applications must be submitted and completed through an MM2H operator licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture under the Tourism Industry Act 1992, and processed through the One Stop Centre MM2H. The Ministry publishes the list of licensed operators on its website.
How many days a year must I stay in Malaysia?
Participants below 50 must be present in Malaysia for 90 days (cumulative) in one year. For participants aged 25 to 49, the principal and/or their dependants can fulfil the stay requirement.
About this guide. Everything here is based on the official guidelines published by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (mm2h.gov.my), checked 27 October 2026. Rules, fees and processing can change, so always confirm with the Ministry or your operator. MM2H applications must be submitted through an MM2H operator licensed by the Ministry; PropertyIndexMY is an information guide and does not process MM2H applications.