Acquire Malaysian Residence

The Government of Malaysia enables applicants and their families to live in the country through the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Program or the Premium Visa Program (PVIP). In exchange for an investment into the country, successful applicants are granted a long-term multiple-entry visa.

The MM2H visa is a 10-year, multiple-entry visa. MM2H applicants must be at least 35 years old. Main applicants and their spouses must spend 90 days per year in Malaysia (children, parents, and parents-in-law are exempt from this requirement).

The PVIP visa is a 20-year, multiple-entry visa, issued in five-year tranches. PVIP applicants can be of any age and may work and run a business in Malaysia. They are not required to reside in Malaysia.

Benefits of Malaysian residence by investment

• Straightforward, efficient residence by investment program
• 20-year residence visa, renewable for a further 20 years
• No age restriction for main applicant
• Live, work, and conduct business in Malaysia
• Ability to include a spouse, parents, parents-in-law, and children who are not married and under 21 years old
• No minimum stay requirement
• Multicultural population and contemporary way of life
• Option to purchase any number of residential properties, from MYR 300,000 (approximately USD 70,000) to MYR 1 million (approximately USD 212,000), which varies from state to state
• Taxation only levied on income sourced in Malaysia, and an extensive network of double tax agreements in place

Requirements of the Premium Visa Program

To acquire Malaysian residence under PVIP, upon application submission, foreign nationals must submit proof of offshore income worth a minimum MYR 40,000 (approximately USD 8,500) per month or MYR 480,000 (approximately USD 100,000) per year.

Upon approval, successful applicants:

• Must invest MYR 1 million (approximately USD 212,000) into a local fixed deposit account. This investment must be maintained throughout the applicant’s stay in Malaysia under the program.

Note: Applicants may withdraw up to MYR 500,000 (approximately USD 106,000) after the first year if they wish, for approved expenses relating to a house purchase, education for their children in Malaysia, or medical expenses.

• Need to purchase medical health insurance if they are aged 60 or below
• Must undergo a medical check-up in Malaysia

Procedures and time frame of Malaysian residence by investment

The Malaysia Immigration Department will issue a conditional approval letter to each approved applicant. The MM2H visa does not allow its holders to work in Malaysia. Both the MM2H and PVIP visas do not lead to permanent residence.

After the MM2H or PVIP application for residence has been submitted to the Malaysian government and initial approval has been granted, the client can visit the country to complete the remaining requirements (namely, opening a bank account and fulfilling the medical requirements). Henley & Partners will assist with this process.

Thereafter, full approval will be granted and the applicant and their included family receive their long-term multiple-entry visas to Malaysia (10 years under the MM2H program and 20 years under the PVIP). The whole process takes three to six months.

Both the initial MM2H visa and the PVIP visa are valid for an initial period of five years and can be renewed thereafter.