Malaysia · Long-term residence
Malaysia My Second Home: which programme fits your plans?
Malaysia My Second Home does not have one set of rules for the whole country. Federal categories, the special-zone option, Sarawak and Sabah have different conditions. Where you want to live, whether you want to buy a home and how much time you can spend there all matter.
Start with where you want to live
Federal Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) has Silver, Gold and Platinum categories. The Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone option has separate rules, while Sarawak and Sabah publish their own state conditions.[1][2][4][5]
A family planning to live in Kuala Lumpur is making a different choice from one planning a home in Sabah. Schools, healthcare, the family’s preferred location and the area covered by the permission need to be considered alongside the deposit.
Federal deposits and property commitments
The federal website lists the following main amounts. Deposits are in US dollars and property prices in ringgit. Both need to be included in the budget, along with 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 |
The programme term is not necessarily the validity of each document issued. Passport validity, renewals and continuing conditions still matter. Silver rules require a home purchase after approval and restrict sale for ten years, with separate provisions for buying a more valuable replacement.[3]
Keep the deposit and the home purchase on separate budget lines. A partial withdrawal may be approved for eligible expenses under the rules.[8] Money that has not yet been approved for release should not be deducted from the initial funding requirement.
A lower special-zone deposit comes with a specific property requirement
The special-zone category lists deposits of US$65,000 for applicants aged 21–49 and US$32,000 for those aged 50 or over. Its detailed page requires a property in Forest City, Johor, at the applicable state minimum price. The programme term is ten years, renewable.[2]
Consider whether owning a home there suits the family. Intended use, title, annual upkeep and the conditions for a future sale deserve their own assessment. A lower deposit alone does not answer those questions.
Sarawak does not require every applicant to buy a home
The application guide currently linked by Sarawak’s ministry sets a minimum age of 30, a RM500,000 deposit with a local panel bank and separate 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]
This may suit a family that wants to rent before deciding where to settle. Optional property ownership does not remove the other financial evidence requirements.
Sabah uses similar tier names but different conditions
Sabah’s Silver category requires a RM500,000 deposit and a qualifying high-rise home priced at least RM600,000. Gold lists a US$500,000 deposit and RM1 million home; Platinum lists US$1 million and RM2 million respectively.[5][6][7]
Pay particular attention to the currency. Sabah’s Silver deposit is in ringgit, while Gold and Platinum deposits are in US dollars. Matching tier names do not make the federal and state rules interchangeable.
The Sabah website also requires 30 days’ cumulative presence each year and limits residence under the programme to Sabah. Travel to Peninsular Malaysia requires Immigration approval.[5] A family intending to live mainly on the peninsula should check this restriction first.
Check stay and work rules for the chosen category
The federal overview distinguishes stay requirements by age, but some detailed category pages still state a general 90-day requirement. The pages are not fully consistent. Neither a universal 90-day rule nor an automatic exemption for everyone over 50 should be assumed. Confirm the selected category, the age rules and the conditions of approval before applying.[1][2][3]
MM2H permission is not permanent residence or an unrestricted right to work. Some categories expressly limit local employment or business activity. Family members’ ages, education and employment plans also need separate checks.[2][3][5]
A useful comparison begins with the city, the people applying and the time the family can spend there. Deposits, housing costs and everyday expenses can then be assessed against those plans.
Official sources and legislation
1. MOTAC: MM2H category overview
2. MOTAC: Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone category
3. MOTAC: Silver category requirements
4. Sarawak MTCP: application guidelines, linked edition amended 31 July 2025
5. Sabah MM2H: Silver terms and conditions
6. Sabah MM2H: Gold terms and conditions
This article provides general information. Check the latest rules, fees and ongoing requirements for your application before proceeding.