Choosing a Malaysia MM2H route: federal, special-zone, Sarawak and Sabah schemes

Malaysia My Second Home is not a single national rulebook. Federal categories, the special-zone route, Sarawak and Sabah each have distinct conditions. Location, housing plans and the time a family can spend in Malaysia often narrow the choice before the deposit does.

Malaysia · Long-term residence

26 September 2026

This compares only the current federal deposit thresholds, not total budgets. Minimum property prices are MYR 600,000, MYR 1 million and MYR 2 million respectively. Special-zone, Sarawak and Sabah routes have separate conditions and locations.

Sources: [1] · [2] · [4] · [5]Evidence dates and scope are stated in the article

The decision begins with location

Federal Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) offers Silver, Gold and Platinum categories, with separate provisions for Special Economic Zones or Special Financial Zones. Sarawak and Sabah publish their own state programme conditions.[1][2][4][5]

A home in Kuala Lumpur and a home in Sabah involve different choices. Alongside the deposit, families need to weigh schools, healthcare, their preferred neighbourhood and the geographical scope of the permission.

Federal deposit and property thresholds

The federal website lists the main amounts below, with deposit thresholds in US dollars and property prices in ringgit. Both belong in the budget; the account currency and conversion method follow the applicable requirements. The figures exclude application fees, property transaction costs and living expenses.[1]

Scroll horizontally to read the full table

Federal category	Fixed deposit	Minimum residential price	Published programme term
Silver	US$150,000	RM600,000	5 years, renewable
Gold	US$500,000	RM1 million	15 years, renewable
Platinum	US$1 million	RM2 million	20 years, renewable

A programme’s stated term is not necessarily the validity of each document issued. Passport expiry, renewals and continuing conditions can affect that period. Silver also requires residential property ownership and restricts sale for ten years, subject to separate provisions for purchasing a more valuable replacement.[3]

A ministry announcement of 28 May 2025 gives Silver, Gold and Platinum participants one year from pass endorsement to complete a house purchase. It also sets withdrawal conditions for homes bought within the preceding two years. An existing property may therefore be relevant, provided it meets the value and applicable approval requirements; a fresh purchase after approval is not always necessary.[9]

The deposit and purchase price still need separate provision. Part of the deposit may be released for eligible spending under the rules,[8] but the initial budget should allow for the full amount until withdrawal is approved.

The special-zone route ties a lower deposit to location

The special-zone category requires US$65,000 from applicants aged 21–49 and US$32,000 from those aged 50 or above. Its detailed conditions specify a home in Forest City, Johor, at the applicable state minimum price. The programme has a renewable ten-year term.[2]

The same official announcement requires participants in this category to own or purchase the home before pass endorsement. The purchase must be from a Forest City developer, rather than a third party.[9]

The smaller deposit must be weighed against the implications of owning a home there. Personal use or likely vacancy, clear title, annual upkeep and future sale conditions all affect the practical cost of the decision.

Sarawak leaves room to rent

The application guide currently linked by Sarawak’s ministry requires the principal applicant to be at least 30, place RM500,000 with a local panel bank and provide qualifying evidence of income, pension or savings. Buying a home is optional; the principal participant must spend at least 30 days a year in Sarawak.[4]

That flexibility may appeal to families who want to rent before settling on a permanent home. It does not remove the other financial evidence requirements: the deposit remains only one part of the application.

Sabah’s three tiers have their own terms

Sabah’s Silver category requires a RM500,000 deposit and a qualifying local high-rise home worth at least RM600,000. Gold lists a US$500,000 deposit and a RM1 million property; Platinum requires US$1 million and RM2 million respectively.[5][6][7]

The currencies matter here. Sabah states its Silver deposit in ringgit and its Gold and Platinum deposits in US dollars. The names may match the federal tiers, but their amounts and conditions are not interchangeable.

Sabah also requires 30 cumulative days in the state each year and limits programme residence to Sabah. Travel to Peninsular Malaysia requires Immigration approval.[5] That restriction is particularly relevant to a family intending to make the peninsula its main home.

Stay and work rules depend on the category

The federal overview distinguishes stay requirements by age, while some detailed category pages still state a general 90-day requirement. These accounts are not fully aligned. Neither a universal 90-day obligation nor an automatic exemption at 50 can be assumed; the chosen category, age provisions and final approval conditions determine the position.[1][2][3]

MM2H’s long-term permission is distinct from permanent residence and an unrestricted right to work. Some categories expressly limit local employment or business activity. A dependant’s age, education and employment plans must also fit the applicable terms.[2][3][5]

A comparison becomes more useful once the destination, accompanying family members and annual stay are clear. Deposits, housing and everyday costs can then be judged against the life the family intends to lead.

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