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What is Malaysia My Second Home or MM2H visa?
Introduced in 2002, the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa is a long-term visa that allows foreigners to stay in Malaysia. It is renewable based on the same conditions or requirements that the applicant used when they first applied. This visa is available to citizens of countries recognized by Malaysia. Participants can bring in their spouse, biological children, stepchildren, or adopted children (who are unmarried, under 34 years old, and not employed in Malaysia), disabled children (with no age limit), as well as their parents and parents-in-law. The new MM2H visa, announced in December 2023, is especially attractive to those who intend to make Malaysia their primary or only home, as the benefits are designed for long-term residency. Currently, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Immigration Malaysia are managing the program.
The minimum age for the MM2H visa is 21 (for the SEZ program) or 25 (for the Platinum, Gold, or Silver categories). Many seniors use it as a retirement visa, while those who enjoy living in Malaysia and work remotely can also use the MM2H visa to stay.
Why do I need MM2H visa?
Tourists entering Malaysia are granted a maximum three-month visa to stay in the country. However, some tourists abuse this privilege by doing "visa runs," where they exit Malaysia and re-enter after a few days. If one is lucky, they can do this several times before being caught and possibly banned from entering Malaysia. Legally, if you stay in Malaysia as a tourist for 50 days and then leave the country, you can return after 51 days without any issues. However, visa runs are costly, may lead to being blacklisted, and can be tiring. Additionally, tourists are legally not allowed to rent long-term (e.g., one-year contracts) properties in Malaysia. If you plan to stay long-term in Malaysia, it's better to get the MM2H visa.
What are the benefits of the new MM2H visa?
The main benefit of the MM2H visa, which is the primary objective of this program, is to allow participants to stay in Malaysia indefinitely. Other benefits include:
- Funds remitted into Malaysia are not taxed.
- If the main applicant passes away, the next-of-kin (who is part of the MM2H application) will be able to continue the visa as the main applicant.
- This visa is renewable every five years, and all you need to provide are passports, medical reports, and medical insurance (for those under 60 years old). The new requirements apply only to new participants.
- You are allowed to purchase comprehensive medical insurance. This is actually critical. Read this https://www.alterdomus.com.my/post/inflation-medical-insurance
These benefits demonstrate that with MM2H, Malaysia can become your primary home.
Officially stated in black and white on MOTAC’s website: https://www.motac.gov.my/en/services/license-application/travel-agency/send/144-mm2h/784-terms-and-regulations-for-new-participants-under-the-malaysia-my-second-home-mm2h
What are the alternatives for MM2H visa
For long-term visas, there are no alternatives. If your spouse is Malaysian, the spouse visa (or "wife of a citizen" visa) is only valid as long as the spouse is alive. In the event of death or divorce, the visa will be cancelled. The Sarawak MM2H visa is only valid for ten years. At the end of the ten years, the individual must reapply as a new applicant and meet the prevailing requirements, regardless of how stringent or difficult they may be. Other visas, such as the Guardian Pass, student visa, D'Rantau digital nomad visa, and others, are short-term. Once the term is over, the visa will be cancelled.
Assuming you are financially stable, the question you must ask yourself at the start of this journey is: "What do I want?" If you are 100% certain that you will leave Malaysia, regardless of what happens in the world, then a short-term visa may be suitable. However, if you are unsure but likely to stay long-term, then the MM2H visa is the better option. Malaysia is a wonderful place to live, and many who have worked here as expatriates are likely to stay after their work is completed or after they have retired. We have clients who initially planned to stay only a few years, but ended up staying permanently.
How about other countries?
Based on our twenty years of experience, Malaysia does not compete directly with other countries. South and Central America, including Mexico, Europe (Portugal, Spain, Malta, Cyprus, etc.), and Southeast Asia are prime locations for citizens of OECD countries and other high-cost countries to stay (whether working remotely or retiring). Each country attracts different categories of people, so it is important to find out which one suits you best. In Southeast Asia, English is understood and used only in Malaysia and the Philippines.
What other things I should consider?
Our experience, distilled over the last two decades, allows us to highlight several important yet often overlooked points:
- Remember, you grow older, not younger, as time passes. Your tendency to be mobile will decrease. For example, the mindset of “It’s okay, we’ll take a short-term visa and then move around countries” may no longer be practical as you age. This also applies to those with children. If you are financially stable, opt for the MM2H visa. Western civilisation seems to be heading in the wrong direction, and returning to your home country may not be the best option.
- The language spoken in a country is very important. This affects legal documents, communication in hospitals, and even everyday conversations. Don’t expect to learn the language quickly if it’s foreign to you, as this can significantly impact your "quality of life."
- Consider carefully if you plan to tell yourself, “I will only stay for a few years before I move on.” We have seen many cases where this mindset didn’t work. Why is this important? Due to inflation, things become more expensive and more difficult. If you applied for MM2H earlier, you may now face the reality of harder-to-meet requirements.
We don’t pressure people to apply, as it goes against our company policy, but the line between offering good advice and hard selling is indeed a thin one.
What are the requirements for MM2H?
The initial teaser for the new MM2H was released on 15th December 2023. The detailed requirements were announced in June 2024. MM2H sponsors began receiving their new licences in August/September 2024. Alter Domus (short for AD) submitted its first MM2H application in September, and the first approval was granted in mid-December 2024.
You can click here to download a summarized table : https://www.penangmyhome.com/MM2H.pdf
General requirements for all versions:
- Property purchase is compulsory, and only one property must be held for ten years. You can upgrade (in terms of price), but not downgrade. To sell the property before the ten years are up, you must cancel the visa. The 10-year lock-in period begins when the Sales and Purchase Agreement is lodged with the Ministry of Tourism, but you are not required to live in this property.
- There is no minimum income requirement, but you must declare the source of income (e.g. pension, funds drawdown, etc.).
- Dependents include spouse, children, stepchildren, parents, parents-in-law, disabled children (no age limit), and adopted children. Siblings and grandchildren are not allowed.
- Children can be dependents until they are 34 years old, unmarried, and not employed in Malaysia.
- The minimum age to apply is 21 for SEZ and 25 for other categories.
- If the main applicant is over 50 years old, then all participants in the MM2H application are not required to meet the 90-day minimum stay requirement in Malaysia.
- If the main applicant is under 50 years old, a cumulative minimum of 90 days in Malaysia among all MM2H participants is required. It need not be consecutive. Once the main applicant turns 50, they no longer have to meet the minimum stay requirement.
- The "minimum days to stay in Malaysia" is calculated annually on a pro-rata basis for the first year of the visa, and it cannot accumulate. The requirement must be met each year.
- 50% of the fixed deposit can be withdrawn immediately after submission of the sales and purchase agreement. However, the property must be purchased after the visa is issued. Property purchased before the visa is issued cannot be used to withdraw 50%, but can be used to meet the MM2H property purchase requirement.
- To withdraw 50% for children's education and medical expenses (not medical insurance premiums), the receipt dates must be after the visa is issued. You cannot use a receipt dated 2022 to withdraw for a visa issued in 2025.
- Property must be purchased within 12 months of the visa issuance date on the passport. A sales and purchase agreement certified by the income tax department must be presented as evidence of purchase.
- Other than applying for the visa, any other transactions requiring the passport must be done at the MM2H Centre in Putrajaya. They cannot be done outside of Malaysia.
- It is possible to add dependents later.
- You don't have to stay in the property that you bought.
- Common law marriage and same gender marriage is not acceptable.
- The birth certificate of the children must show that parents are indeed the main applicant and spouse. Otherwise, you need to shop adoption papers or custody letters.
There are four versions: Platinum, Gold, Silver and SEZ:
Platinum MM2H
- 20-year visa (5+5+5+5) and subsequently renewal every 5 years.
- Able to work, set up or invest in a company in Malaysia.
- Able to bring in a maid from home country.
- Need to deposit USD1,000,000 in a bank in Malaysia.
- Need to buy one residential property worth at least RM2,000,000.
- Participation fee – RM200,000 (payable to the government)
Gold MM2H
- 15-year visa (5+5+5) and subsequently renewal every 5 years.
- Cannot work, set up or invest in a company in Malaysia.
- Cannot bring in a maid from home country.
- Need to deposit USD500,000 in a bank in Malaysia.
- Need to buy one residential property worth at least RM1,000,000.
- Participation fee – RM5,000 (payable to the government)
Silver MM2H
- 5-year visa and subsequently renewal every 5 years.
- Cannot work, set up or invest in a company in Malaysia.
- Cannot bring in a maid from home country.
- Need to deposit USD150,000 in a bank in Malaysia.
- Need to buy one residential property worth at least RM600,000.
- Participation fee – RM1,000 (payable to the government)
SEZ /SFZ MM2H
- 10-year visa (5+5) and subsequently renewal every 5 years.
- Cannot work, set up or invest in a company in Malaysia.
- Cannot bring in a maid from home country.
- Need to deposit USD64,000 (less than 50 years old) or USD32,000 (more than 50 years old) in a bank in Malaysia.
- Minimum purchase price to be set by the state. Residential property purchase must be from developer only.
- Participation fee – RM1,000 (payable to the government)
Why is it the Malaysian government make it compulsory to buy a property?
Firstly, and most importantly, if you plan to make Malaysia your primary residence, buying a property and living in it, rather than renting, is a more economical choice. MM2H is geared towards those who want to stay here for the long term.
What are the documents required for application of MM2H?
There are two critical documents – letter of no criminal record for those over the age of 18, and kinship documents that need to be certified by the Malaysian Embassy or High Commission. Examples include the marriage certificate and birth certificates (to link the children to the main applicant or to link the participants to their parents). The rest of the documents, such as passport photocopies, photos, etc., are easy to provide.
Will MM2H change and will it affect me?
Yes, MM2H can change, but since its inception in 2002, although verbal only, requirements were grandfathered and renewals were done using the same set of requirements the participant used when he applied for it years ago. contrary to what many think, there were not many changes. Please read https://www.alterdomus.com.my/post/debunking-myths-that-have-been-swirling-around-mm2h
Quotes from newspapers stating that changes to the requirements will be rare:
"The Special Committee has clarified that the newly implemented MM2H framework and regulations will not be modified after changes to the political landscape or Cabinet reshuffles,"
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/18/three-tier-mm2h-to-be-a-permanent-feature-says-tiong
Sequence of Processing:
- You prepare the documents. Critical documents include a letter of no criminal record, marriage certificate, birth certificates (if your parents or children are accompanying you), and valid passports (preferably with at least 2 years of validity). As these need to be certified by the Malaysian embassy, you may need a few weeks to prepare them.
- You scan the documents to us (if you have a document scanner) and then courier the original documents to us. The complete list of required documents is provided.
- We collect a deposit of 20% of the application cost.
- We will submit the documents to apply for the MM2H visa.
- We need to wait approximately 2-3 months.
- Once the approval letter is obtained, we will inform you. You have 90 days from the date of the approval letter to come in and collect the visa. We recommend that you collect the visa no later than the second month. Extensions will only be granted on a case-by-case basis. We guide you throughout the process, as we have had clients who made costly mistakes by not following the correct procedures. We have lined up bankers, reputable solicitors, property agents, and other specialists to assist you. You don't have to worry.
- To obtain the visa, you need to have (a) a bank account and an MM2H Fixed Deposit (short for FD) in USD or Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) equivalent, (b) a medical checkup, and (c) medical insurance.
- For children aged 21-34 years, a Statutory Declaration of single status and proof of unemployment in Malaysia must be obtained from any Commissioner of Oaths in Malaysia.
- We collect the disbursement fees, which include government visa fees, medical checkup fees, basic medical insurance fees, security bond, government application fees, and processing fees.
- We will take your passports, medical form, bank LIEN letter, and Statutory Declaration (if required) to the MM2H Centre in Putrajaya for the visa to be issued on the passports (also known as "passport endorsement").
- We will collect the final part of our professional fee upon passport return.
- Once the visa is on the passport, we have 12 months to submit the sales and purchase agreement (short for SPA), receipts, and invoices for the residential property purchase to MOTAC. It may take 1-6 months (depending on the state) to get the SPA ready. If you do not purchase a property and submit the required documents within 12 months, the visa will be cancelled.
If you have a property in Malaysia, you can use that property provided:
- You can show the SPA that contains your name or joint name with your spouse, who is registered as a dependent under your MM2H application.
- The property must be valued at above RM600,000 for the Silver category, as stated in the SPA (not the valuation).
- You are not entitled to withdraw 50% from the FD (see item below).
Those who purchase property after endorsement can withdraw 50% of the FD, provided the SPA has been lodged with the MM2H Centre in Putrajaya.
The 90-day minimum stay in Malaysia begins on the date of visa issuance. This will be checked every 5 years when your visa is due for renewal.
We strongly prefer that you work closely with us from the beginning to the end. Please don’t go out and buy any property, or speak to any bankers, insurance agents, etc. You may end up getting the wrong information, which could lead to costly mistakes.
Why do we need an agent? Seems to be easy enough for us to do it
This dates back to when MM2H first started. There were two major issues – fraud and efficiency. A lot of fraud and abuse were committed by both agents and participants alike. For agents, as they are Malaysians, the Malaysian government can take action against them, but for participants, who are foreigners and mobile, they may disappear once exposed. We have encountered instances of potential fraud when fraudulent participants asked us for advice so that they could apply on their own. The new MM2H requirements mandate that agents be relicensed, and we must provide a RM200,000 bank guarantee.
Efficiency – If you have visited the MM2H One-Stop Centre, you will realise that individuals who transact with the MM2H Centre often have a lot of questions. Granted, information is not easily available online, and there is a communication barrier between the counter staff and participants whose first language is not English. It takes a lot of time and effort to get things done. Questions such as “How do I apply/renew the MM2H visa?” require considerable attention and time. There have been cases of participants being rude and screaming at the counter staff. While the number of individual direct applicants is small, this group of people can slow down the entire system.
Who or what is Alter Domus (MM2H) Sdn. Bhd. ?
Alter Domus (MM2H) Sdn. Bhd., or AD for short, is a MOTAC-licensed MM2H sponsor company or MM2H agent headquartered in the state of Penang, Malaysia. This Malaysia-registered company has been operating as a licensed MM2H sponsor since 2006. Its predecessor, Alter Domus Management and Services, operated since 2004, prior to the licensing requirement in 2006, when the "(MM2H)" in the company name became a licensing requirement.
In 2006, we obtained the first licence number, MM2H/0001, and in 2024, during the re-licensing exercise, we became the first legacy MM2H sponsor to be relicensed with the licence number MM2H810. Of the first twenty licence holders, only nine remain. Of these nine, only three are licensed to process new applications. This demonstrates our commitment to MM2H, as we were the first to act and remain proactive. We walk the talk.
We have been operating continuously since 2004 and made it through COVID with only one year of financial loss, thanks to our existing customer base. We have helped them enter Malaysia without any hassle and assisted them with renewals and transfers of their visa to new passports.
You can view AD as a migration agent for inbound migration to Malaysia. We will assist you with the MM2H visa and relocation to Malaysia (including the import of pets, driving licence conversion, import of household effects, etc.).
Why should I choose Alter Domus (MM2H) Sdn. Bhd to be my sponsor?
As of 12th January 2025, there are over 80 licensed MM2H agencies in Malaysia. These new licence holders have licences starting from MM2H801. Ours is MM2H810. You can visit the official MOTAC website to verify the validity of licensed agents. So, what makes Alter Domus (MM2H) Sdn. Bhd. stand out?
- The pioneer since 2004 and still operating, making us the most experienced, knowledgeable, and probably the company with the most clients.
- The only company that is professionally managed, with probably the largest number of employees. We can handle volume processing.
- The only company that has a vision, mission, and value statement. Please click here : https://www.alterdomus.com.my/about-alter-domus
- We occupy a three-storey building (3,000 sqft built-up) in central Georgetown, Penang.
- We are in the process of setting up branches in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. We submitted the request for branch openings on 27th December 2024, and it is currently being processed and pending approval.
- We have excellent Google reviews. Reviews are important to help you determine if you are making the right decision when selecting your service provider.
- All our clients eventually become our friends. We provide advice on everything from MM2H to socioeconomics, taxation, and investment strategies.
- Our charges are reasonable and acceptable, contrary to what people say on social media.
So, what is so great about Alter Domus (MM2H) Sdn. Bhd.?
Here are some other critical points for you to consider when selecting an agent or sponsor for MM2H:
- We provide solutions, and if we cannot help you, we will find someone who can. We stand by your side, as we have done for the last 20 years.
- Everything we do is legal.
- All our clients eventually become our friends. Do we really want to be dishonest and risk destroying what we have built since 2004?
- You can tap into our expertise and experience, which has been distilled over the last two decades. It is misguided to say that you don’t need any help from a local or that you can get all the information from the internet. There are things you will need a trusted local to assist you with.
- We advise you. We don’t just do what you ask us to do. We will guide you through the options, as sometimes you may overlook certain critical matters.
- Visit Facebook and search for the Malaysia My Second Home group. You can see how our clients have commented about us. You can click on https://www.facebook.com/groups/3151159434956470/search/?q=alter%20domus
Two words to describe Alter Domus (MM2H) Sdn. Bhd.:
We deliver!
What is the cost of applying for MM2H visa?
You will need to prepare at least USD 250,000 to cover all expenses, with the largest costs being property purchase, followed by the fixed deposit and then our fee. If you are certain that Malaysia will be your primary residence, most of these costs will be one-time expenses.
The Malaysian government has set rules regarding agency fees. Please refer to the following link on the website of Malaysia’s Attorney General’s Chambers, which clearly states the fixed charges:
https://lom.agc.gov.my/act-view.php?type=pua&no=P.U.%20(A)%20185/2024&status=PRINCIPAL
However, before you dismiss this, please speak to us first. Send us an email and talk to our Managing Director, CH'NG Toh Ghee (TG for short). He has extensive knowledge and is up-to-date on many areas, including economics, politics, and has done a lot of critical thinking on what is happening around the world. He can provide you with valuable insights. You can email him at tohghee.chng@alterdomus.com.my