What are the requirements and application process for MM2H?

Malaysia My Second Home guide · Updated August 2026

What are the requirements and application process for MM2H?

A practical foreign-buyer guide to the current MM2H categories, compulsory property purchase, required documents and the official application path in Malaysia.

This guide was checked against the current Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture MM2H portal, the official application checklist and the Malaysian Immigration Department’s pass procedures. It is written to help foreign property buyers understand the sequence before speaking to a licensed MM2H company.

Important scope and verification note

Jack Liew is a registered real estate negotiator, not an immigration lawyer or licensed MM2H operator. MM2H rules, state property thresholds, tax treatment and agency fees can change. Use this article as an orientation guide, then verify eligibility and submit through a currently licensed MM2H company.

MM2H essentials

The current programme at a glance

Main categories

Silver, Gold, Platinum and SEZ/SFZ

The national programme uses different fixed-deposit, pass-term, property and fee requirements for each category.

Standard minimum age

25 years old

Silver, Gold and Platinum require the principal applicant to be at least 25. The SEZ/SFZ route starts from age 21.

Application route

Use a licensed MM2H company

New applications must be submitted through a MOTAC-licensed MM2H tour operating business to the MM2H One Stop Centre.

Property requirement

Residential purchase is compulsory

The minimum starts at RM600,000 for Silver, but category floors do not override state foreign-purchase rules or project eligibility.

The short answer

Choose the category first, then apply through a licensed MM2H company

The current national MM2H programme has Silver, Gold and Platinum categories, plus a Special Economic Zone or Special Financial Zone route. The category determines the required fixed deposit, compulsory minimum property value, programme term, participation fee and permitted activities.

For Silver, Gold and Platinum, the principal applicant must be at least 25 years old. The SEZ/SFZ category begins at age 21. The application is not submitted through a property agent: it must go through a currently licensed MM2H tour operating business and the One Stop Centre MM2H.

Silver

USD150,000 fixed deposit, minimum RM600,000 residence, five-year renewable programme term and RM1,000 one-off participation fee.

Gold

USD500,000 fixed deposit, minimum RM1 million residence, 15-year renewable programme term and RM3,000 one-off participation fee.

Platinum

USD1 million fixed deposit, minimum RM2 million residence, 20-year renewable programme term and RM200,000 one-off participation fee.

SEZ/SFZ

USD65,000 fixed deposit for ages 21–49 or USD32,000 for ages 50+, with a property purchase in the designated development subject to the applicable state policy.

Rules shared across categories

Fixed deposit, residence purchase, stay and dependants

The fixed deposit must be placed with a Malaysian financial institution licensed under the Financial Services Act 2013 or Islamic Financial Services Act 2013. After MM2H approval, up to 50% of the principal fixed-deposit value may be withdrawn for approved residential purchase, education, medical or tourism purposes.

A residential purchase is compulsory after approval. The residence generally cannot be sold for 10 years unless the participant upgrades by purchasing a higher-value residence. Failure to comply with programme terms may affect the MM2H pass.

The current official overview states that participants below age 50 have a 90-day cumulative annual stay requirement that may be fulfilled between the principal, spouse and dependants. Participants aged 50 and above have no minimum annual stay requirement under that overview.

Dependants

A spouse, eligible children, medically certified disabled children, parents and parents-in-law may be included subject to the current rules.

Children aged 21–34

They must be unmarried and unemployed while in Malaysia to remain eligible as dependants.

Medical check

The principal and dependants must complete the required medical examination after receiving approval.

Insurance

Health-insurance evidence is part of the post-approval and endorsement documentation where applicable.

Document preparation

What documents are normally required for a new MM2H application?

The official new-application checklist identifies the Immigration Pass application form IM.12, passport biodata pages for the principal and dependants, proof of family relationships and certificates of good conduct or equivalent police-clearance documents for the principal and dependants aged 18 and above.

Only complete applications are accepted and applications undergo security screening by the Royal Malaysia Police. Documents not in English must be translated and certified through the accepted Malaysian embassy, high commission, consulate or Ministry of Foreign Affairs process stated in the official checklist.

  • Completed IM.12 immigration pass application form.
  • Principal applicant’s passport biodata page.
  • Each dependant’s passport biodata page, where applicable.
  • Marriage, birth, adoption or other proof of family relationship, translated and certified where required.
  • Certificate of Good Conduct, police certificate or clearance certificate for the principal and dependants aged 18 and above.
  • Any additional documents requested for the applicant’s category or circumstances.
Keep copies of every original document and confirm the latest checklist with the appointed licensed MM2H company before certification or translation work.
Step-by-step process

How does the MM2H application process work?

The official process runs through a licensed MM2H company and the One Stop Centre. Immigration approval remains under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

1. Confirm category

Check age, fixed deposit, property budget, permitted activities, annual stay and dependant needs before starting.

2. Verify and appoint an agent

Choose a company from MOTAC’s current licensed MM2H company list and confirm its licence validity.

3. Prepare documents

Complete the forms, passports, family proof, police clearance and translations or certifications required.

4. Agent submits application

The licensed company submits the complete application to the One Stop Centre MM2H through the current official system.

5. Government review

The application is checked by OSC MM2H and undergoes security screening. A conditional approval letter is issued if accepted.

6. Complete post-approval conditions

Within the period stated in the approval, prepare the Malaysian fixed-deposit certificate, medical report, insurance where applicable, stamped personal bond and valid passport.

7. Submit for endorsement

The licensed agent submits the post-approval documents and the applicant pays the applicable processing, participation, pass and visa fees.

8. Receive the MM2H pass

The Immigration Department completes the endorsement after the requirements and payments are accepted.

Costs to plan for

Participation, processing, pass and professional fees are different items

The official category overview currently lists a processing fee of RM5,000 for the principal and RM2,500 for each dependant. The one-off participation fee is separate and depends on the selected category. Visa and pass charges, medical examinations, insurance, document translation and certification, agent service fees, property costs and legal fees should be budgeted separately.

Do not assume that a quoted package includes every government and third-party cost. Ask the licensed company for a written itemised fee schedule and refund or cancellation terms before paying.

Jack can help compare property options, but MM2H application fees and immigration services must be confirmed with a licensed MM2H company.
Foreign-buyer property check

The MM2H property minimum is not the only property rule

The national MM2H category states a minimum residential purchase value, but property acquisition is also affected by state authority rules, foreign ownership thresholds, title restrictions, consent requirements and the eligibility of the specific project or unit. A RM600,000 Silver minimum does not automatically mean every RM600,000 home in Malaysia is available to a foreign purchaser.

Before booking, ask a Malaysian conveyancing lawyer to confirm the purchaser’s eligibility, state consent, title, restriction in interest, financing, taxes, stamp duty and the interaction between the purchase timeline and MM2H approval.

Check the state

Foreign-purchase thresholds and consent procedures differ by state and can change.

Check the exact title

Residential, commercial, serviced-apartment and restricted-interest titles can carry different implications.

Check the unit

The project being generally marketed to foreigners does not replace legal verification of the exact unit.

Check the sequence

Coordinate booking, approval, financing and the compulsory purchase obligation with the licensed MM2H company and lawyer.

Stay current

Verify the rules again before submitting or purchasing

The current MM2H portal is maintained by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and should be the first reference for category terms. The Malaysian Immigration Department page is useful for pass endorsement, dependant, renewal and related immigration procedures, but some legacy wording can coexist with the newer category framework.

Tax treatment is fact-specific. The official portal describes an exemption for incoming foreign funds such as fixed deposits, but applicants should obtain advice from a Malaysian licensed tax professional for their income, residence and reporting circumstances.

Recheck the official category overview, guidelines, licensed-company list and Immigration procedures immediately before acting.
Official category overview

MM2H category requirements at a glance

The table summarises the current official category overview. Currency conversion, state property rules and additional application costs are not included.

RequirementPlatinumGoldSilverSEZ/SFZ
Minimum principal age25252521
Fixed depositUSD1,000,000USD500,000USD150,000USD65,000 age 21–49; USD32,000 age 50+
Programme term20 years, renewable15 years, renewable5 years, renewable10 years, renewable
Minimum residence valueRM2,000,000RM1,000,000RM600,000Price set for the designated SEZ development and state policy
One-off participation feeRM200,000RM3,000RM1,000RM1,000
Annual stay below age 5090 cumulative days90 cumulative days90 cumulative days90 cumulative days
Annual stay age 50+No minimum stated in current overviewNo minimum stated in current overviewNo minimum stated in current overviewNo minimum stated in current overview
Maximum FD withdrawalUp to 50% for approved purposesUp to 50% for approved purposesUp to 50% for approved purposesUp to 50% for approved purposes
Renewal fee after programme termRM5,000RM3,000RM1,500RM300
Before you apply

Four checks that prevent expensive mistakes

Confirm the official category

Match the fixed deposit, property purchase, age, annual stay and activity permissions to your actual plan.

Verify the licensed company

Search the current MOTAC register and confirm the company licence is valid before signing or paying.

Get property legal advice

Have a Malaysian conveyancing lawyer verify the state threshold, title, consent and exact unit eligibility.

Request itemised costs

Separate government processing, participation, pass and visa fees from agent, insurance, medical, legal and property costs.

Frequently asked questions

Common MM2H questions from foreign property buyers

What is the minimum age for MM2H?

The principal must be at least 25 for Silver, Gold and Platinum. The SEZ/SFZ category accepts applicants from age 21.

What is the cheapest current MM2H category?

By fixed-deposit amount, the SEZ/SFZ route is lower at USD65,000 for ages 21–49 and USD32,000 for ages 50 and above, but it requires a property purchase in the designated development under the applicable state policy.

How much fixed deposit is required for MM2H Silver?

The current official Silver requirement is USD150,000 in an eligible Malaysian financial institution.

Must an MM2H participant buy property in Malaysia?

Yes. The current national programme makes residential purchase compulsory after approval, with minimum values that depend on category. State foreign-purchase rules also apply.

Can the MM2H property be sold?

The current category terms state that it cannot be sold for 10 years, except when upgrading by purchasing a higher-value residence. Confirm the procedure before any transaction.

Can I apply for MM2H directly?

Current official guidelines state that applications should be submitted and completed through a MOTAC-licensed MM2H tour operating business.

Can I include my children and parents?

Eligible dependants include a spouse, qualifying children, medically certified disabled children, parents and parents-in-law. Children aged 21–34 must be unmarried and unemployed while in Malaysia.

Does MM2H allow employment in Malaysia?

The current category pages state that business, investment activities and career opportunities are permissible for Platinum, while Gold, Silver and SEZ/SFZ state they are not allowed. Verify the exact permitted activity before acting.

Does the RM600,000 Silver minimum mean I can buy any RM600,000 property?

No. The MM2H category floor does not override state foreign-purchase thresholds, consent rules, title restrictions or the eligibility of the exact unit.

Where should I verify the latest MM2H requirements?

Use the official MOTAC MM2H portal, its licensed-company register and the Malaysian Immigration Department procedures. Recheck them immediately before applying.

Need help comparing property options after checking MM2H eligibility?

Jack can help compare location, property type, layout and current project information. Immigration applications must still be handled by a licensed MM2H company, and legal eligibility should be checked by a Malaysian lawyer.

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