Residency by Investment in Malaysia

Malaysia My Second Home or MM2H is a program for foreigners who want to obtain residency in this country and relocate legally. The program is quite permissive and involves a number of clear and simple formalities that can be explained in detail by our immigration lawyers in Malaysia. Those interested in Malaysian residency by investment are invited to speak with our team of specialists and benefit from our legal services.

Malaysian residency by investment – How to reside in Malaysia

Foreigners who want to relocate to Malaysia for a long period of time can join the MM2H program, alongside their family members. Although this program does not guarantee permanent residence in Malaysia, foreign nationals can live in this country as long as they want, without any restriction. Here is what this program entails and what are the conditions for residence by investment in Malaysia, mentioning that our specialists can help you move to Malaysia:

• An Approval Letter provided by the Malaysian Immigration Department is required.
• Under the MM2H rules in force since June 2024, applicants must be at least 25 years old and, if under 50, stay in Malaysia at least 90 days a year.
• A fixed deposit of USD 150,000 (Silver, 5-year pass), USD 500,000 (Gold, 15 years) or USD 1 million (Platinum, 20 years) is required, together with the purchase of a residential property of at least RM 600,000, RM 1 million or RM 2 million respectively. In the case of family members who are part of the application, they are covered by the principal's deposit (spouse, children under 21, parents).

What is important to mention about MM2H is that Platinum candidates can also bring a foreign domestic helper, as part of the application for residence by investment in Malaysia. More information about the formalities for Malaysian residency by investment can be found at our team of lawyers in Malaysia. Our specialists are also the ones who can help you move to Malaysia in a fast and reliable manner.

Details about the investor visa for Malaysia

An investor visa for Malaysia is another option for foreigners interested in Malaysian residency by investment. This type of visa is the same as the residence permit in Malaysia and can also be accessed through the MM2H program, but respecting certain conditions:

• Applicants aged 25 or over must, under the 2024 MM2H rules, keep a fixed deposit of at least USD 150,000 in their bank account and buy a residential property of at least RM 600,000. You can learn more about how to relocate to Malaysia from our immigration experts.
• In the case of candidates over 50 years of age, the same Silver/Gold/Platinum deposit rules apply (USD 150,000 / 500,000 / 1 million); up to 50% of the deposit may be withdrawn after approval for housing, education, medical or tourism expenses, while the remaining balance must be kept for the duration of the pass, as long as they live in Malaysia.
• Those over 60 can also obtain Malaysian residency by investment through the MM2H program under the same tiers (the former pension-based route with a RM 150,000 deposit no longer exists).
• Malaysian authorities require a medical report issued by a Malaysian clinic, plus medical insurance.

Opening a company in Malaysia can be an option to get an investor visa in Malaysia. Company limited by shares or unlimited company are business structures that may come to the attention of foreign investors interested in the investor visa in Malaysia. We invite you to talk to our lawyers and find out more about how to immigrate to Malaysia.

Advantages of Malaysian residence by investment

Malaysian residency by investment through the MM2H program is advantageous for foreign national professionals in the field in which they work, aged 25 or over. The same is available for citizens over 50 years of age who want to retire in Malaysia. In terms of taxes, the Malaysian residency by investment program is quite advantageous because the country has concluded several double taxation treaties to avoid double taxation and tax evasion.

Moreover, Malaysia offers optimal business conditions in a stable financial and economic market and an experienced workforce. Foreign investors can also enjoy affordable costs for setting up a company, plus a much-simplified bureaucracy for registering a firm. Here are some statistics that highlight Malaysia’s economy:

1. The total FDI in Malaysia for 2020 was approximately USD 174 billion.
2. In the last Doing Business report (2020; the World Bank discontinued the series in 2021), Malaysia ranked 12th out of 190 global economies in terms of optimal business conditions.
3. Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Netherlands are among Malaysia’s main investors.

Want more details about residence by investment in Malaysia? We invite you to contact our law firm in Malaysia and discover our legal services. We can help you immigrate to Malaysia by dealing with the required formalities.