All You Need To Know About Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)!
*Editor's Note: MM2H, which was temporarily suspended since Aug 2020, has now been reactivated by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It will be managed and handled by the Immigration Department from October 2021 onwards.
MM2H, or the Malaysia My Second Home programme, is a visa initiative introduced by the Malaysian government to promote Malaysia as a positive place to live, for potential residents from abroad.
The MM2H scheme provides a renewable multiple-entry visa for successful applicants from around the world. It was a scheme originally forwarded by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Now channelled through the Ministry of Home Affairs, MM2H represents a flagship initiative designed to promote positive immigration to the benefit of both Malaysia and future potential expatriates.
Intrigued? Who wouldn’t be! Malaysia’s food alone is argument enough to move here! So how can you do that with MM2H?
Who Is Eligible For MM2H?
MM2H is designed to provide long-term visas for residents of those countries officially recognised by Malaysia, regardless of their race, religion, gender, or age. The eligibility criteria is as follows:
Participants will be divided into two age categories: Between 35 and 49 years; 50 years and above
Participants need to be in the country for at least a cumulative 90 days in a year
Have an offshore income of at least RM40,000 per month
Maintain a fixed deposit account of RM1 million, where a maximum withdrawal of 50% from a principal amount is allowed for purposes such as property purchase, healthcare, and education
There is an additional RM50,000 per dependent required in the fixed deposit account
Proof of liquid assets worth a minimum of RM1.5 million
Subject to a pass fee of RM500 a year
Subject to a processing fee of RM5,000 for the main applicant, with an additional RM2,500 per dependent
Does MM2H Mean A Permanent Visa For Malaysia?
There’s been a lot of confusion whether MM2H is just a mainline route to a permanent visa for Malaysia. Let’s clear it up now – it is not.
If you qualify under the eligibility criteria for the MM2H programme, you are eligible for a maximum five-year visa. You will then have the option to extend to another five, and so on.
Remember: It is not an indefinite leave to remain, nor is it a Permanent Residence Permit. However, you have the freedom to leave and reenter as you please!
What Do You Need To Apply For The MM2H Visa?
Along with the eligibility criteria outlined above, applicants for MM2H visas will be required to submit a range of supporting documents.
Applications can be completed online or with the help of a registered agent:
Letter of application: A covering letter from the applicant.
Copy of resume: Including information of academic qualifications, work experience, skills or experience acquired.
3 copies of IM.12 Form: Three copies of the IM.12 Social Visit Pass form. One original copy and two photocopied copies. Each applicant must complete it individually.
4 passport photos: Four coloured passport photographs, taken against a blue background.
Copy of passport/travel document: Full copy of the passport or travel document, including any page with an entrance or exit stamp.
Letter of good conduct: A letter of good conduct for the main applicant from the applicant’s originating country, such as a police report or letter from an embassy.
Self-declaration of medical condition: A completed self-declaration form stating any medical history or conditions relevant for all participants.
Certified copy of marriage certificate (if accompanied by spouse).
Certified copy of birth certificates (if accompanied by children or parents).
Certified copy of bank statements: Relevant bank statements, salary slips and financial documents to ensure proof of income.
There may be other required documentation depending on your particular circumstances, and all final requirements should be checked with the relevant agent or MM2H agency for your application.
What Happens When You’re Approved?
If everything goes well, you'll be contacted to confirm your application has been successful, and be provided with a Conditional Approval Letter.
That means you now have a period of six months to complete any remaining conditions, such as completing your medical examination and getting medical insurance, both of which must be done in Malaysia only.
What Else Do You Need To Know About MM2H?
First up: The government's proposal during Budget 2020 to lower the price threshold for high-rise properties in urban areas from RM1 million to RM600,000.
The aim was to encourage more foreign ownership, as serviced apartments and residential high-rise homes remained the biggest contributor to the problem of supply overhang, according to the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC).
However, each state has the freedom to set their own price threshold, so you would need to check with the registered property agent on the threshold in the state of your choice.
There are other elements of the visa which should be noted too. So here’s what you might need to know:
1) When would I be allowed to withdraw from my fixed deposit?
You may do so for approved expenses after a period of one year. Depending on the bank you chose, some of them do allow periodical withdrawals.
2) Can applicants apply for home helpers?
Yes, each applicant may apply for one home-help employee, subject to immigration guidelines. There is a age requirement that must also be met, which is from 21 to 45 years old.
3) Can I work while on the MM2H visa?
Applicants over 50 years of age can work part-time up to 20 hours per week on an MM2H visa. This job offer must be previously registered and approved by the relevant departments.
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