In short: Silver is the entry category (USD150,000 deposit, RM600,000 property, 5-year pass). Gold lifts the pass to 15 years for a USD500,000 deposit and a RM1,000,000 property. Platinum (USD1,000,000 deposit, RM200,000 fee, RM2,000,000 property) is the only category with work rights and a 20-year pass. SEZ/SFZ ties the property to Forest City, Johor.
Malaysia's MM2H programme has four categories. They share the same basics (a fixed deposit, a one-off fee, a compulsory property purchase and a minimum stay) but the numbers and the rights attached differ a lot. All figures below come from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture's published category pages, checked 27 October 2026.
MM2H categories compared
| Silver | Gold | Platinum | SEZ / SFZ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 25 | 25 | 25 | 21 |
| Fixed deposit | USD150,000 | USD500,000 | USD1,000,000 | USD65,000 (21–49) / USD32,000 (50+) |
| Participating fee (one-off, principal only) | RM1,000 | RM3,000 | RM200,000 | RM1,000 |
| Property purchase | RM600,000 or above | RM1,000,000 or above | RM2,000,000 or above | Forest City, Johor (state property policy) |
| No-sale period | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
| Pass validity (renewable) | 5 years | 15 years | 20 years | 10 years |
| Renewal fee (after max term) | RM1,500 | RM3,000 | RM5,000 | RM300 |
| Minimum stay | 90 days a year (below 50) | 90 days a year (below 50) | 90 days a year (below 50) | 90 days a year (below 50) |
| Business / investment / career | Not allowed | Not allowed | Permissible | Not allowed |
| Foreign maid | Not listed | Not listed | Allowed | Not listed |
| Tax exemption on foreign funds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Silver: the entry category
Silver suits participants who mainly want a long-stay base. The USD150,000 deposit can be partly withdrawn (see below), the RM1,000 fee is the lowest on the mainland, and the property floor of RM600,000 opens up new launches across Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Penang. The trade-offs are the 5-year pass and no right to work or run a business.
Gold: a longer pass, a bigger property
Gold lifts the pass to 15 years and the property floor to RM1,000,000, which is the range where larger layouts in established addresses become available. Like Silver, it does not allow business or career activities.
Platinum: the only category with work rights
Platinum asks the most (a USD1,000,000 deposit, a RM200,000 participating fee and a property of RM2,000,000 or above) and gives the most: a 20-year pass, permission for business, investment and career activities, and the right to bring a foreign maid.
SEZ/SFZ: Forest City, Johor
The Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone category was added for investors establishing themselves in those zones. It has the lowest deposit and age threshold, a 10-year pass and the cheapest renewal at RM300, but the property purchase is tied to Forest City, Johor under Johor's property acquisition policy.
The fixed deposit, in plain terms
In every category the deposit must be held in 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 buying a residence, education, medical expenses and tourism activities in Malaysia. The rest stays on deposit.
Next: the full cost breakdown, or which properties qualify for each category.
Frequently asked questions
Which MM2H category is best?
It depends on budget and goals. Silver has the lowest entry (USD150,000 deposit, RM600,000 property) but a 5-year pass and no work rights. Gold gives a 15-year pass. Platinum is the only category that allows business, investment and career activities, and it has a 20-year pass, but needs a USD1,000,000 deposit and a RM200,000 participating fee.
What is the difference between Silver and Gold MM2H?
Silver needs a USD150,000 fixed deposit, a RM1,000 participating fee and a property of RM600,000 or above, with a 5-year pass. Gold needs a USD500,000 deposit, a RM3,000 fee and a property of RM1,000,000 or above, with a 15-year pass. Neither permits work or business activities.
Is SEZ/SFZ cheaper than Silver?
The SEZ/SFZ deposit is lower (USD65,000 for ages 21 to 49, USD32,000 for 50+), and the minimum age is 21. But the property must be in Forest City, Johor, subject to Johor state policy, and the participant must still stay 90 days a year if below 50.
Can I upgrade from Silver to Gold later?
The official guidelines do not describe a category-upgrade route. They do allow upgrading your purchased residence to one of higher value within the 10-year no-sale period. Ask a licensed operator about changing category.
Does Platinum allow me to work in Malaysia?
Yes. Under the official guidelines, business and investment activities and career opportunities are permissible for Platinum participants only.
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.