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Employer-sponsored; requires a minimum monthly salary of MYR 5,000 (Category I, 2+ year passes) or MYR 3,000 (Category II, 1-year passes). Employer submits the application through Expatriate Services Division (ESD) online portal.
Requires proof of offshore income of MYR 40,000/month, liquid assets of MYR 1.5 million, and a fixed deposit of MYR 1 million in a Malaysian bank. Grants a 20-year multiple-entry visa renewable indefinitely.
Requires proof of offshore income of MYR 10,000/month and liquid assets of MYR 500,000, with a fixed deposit of MYR 300,000. The Malaysia My Second Home programme is administered by Tourism Malaysia.
Issued to spouses and children (under 18) of Employment Pass or MM2H holders. Duration mirrors the primary pass holder; dependant spouses may apply for a separate Letter of Approval to work if they obtain their own Employment Pass.
Malaysia is one of Southeast Asia's most expat-friendly destinations, offering the MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) program for long-term stays and employment passes for workers. The MM2H program was revamped in 2024 with tiered options including the Premium and Standard tiers to suit different income levels. Processing times are generally reasonable and the government is supportive of foreign residents.
Foreign professionals require an Employment Pass issued by the Immigration Department, sponsored by a Malaysian company. The EP comes in three categories based on monthly salary (EP1: RM10,000+, EP2: RM5,000+, EP3: RM3,000+). Certain sectors like education allow direct application. Malaysia does not restrict dual employment under EP for most nationalities.
Employment Pass holders earning RM5,000+ can sponsor a spouse and children under 18 on Dependant Passes. Dependent spouses may apply for a Letter of Approval to work, though a separate employment approval is required for formal employment.
Malaysia operates a territorial tax system -- residents are only taxed on income sourced within Malaysia. Foreign-sourced income remitted to Malaysia is generally exempt (with some exceptions from 2022 onward for certain passive income). Personal income tax rates range from 0% to 30%. Malaysia has tax treaties with over 80 countries.
Malaysia has a dual public-private healthcare system. Public hospitals are affordable but can be slow. Private hospitals like Gleneagles, Pantai, and KPJ are world-class and affordable by international standards. Most expats carry private health insurance or rely on employer coverage.
Foreigners with valid visas can open accounts at major banks including Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank, and HSBC Malaysia. A passport, visa, and proof of address are typically required. Banking infrastructure is modern with widespread English-language service.
The Premium MM2H tier requires fixed deposits of RM1M and offshore income of RM40,000/month. The Standard MM2H requires RM500,000 in deposits and RM10,000/month in offshore income. The Sarawak MM2H offers more accessible terms for stays limited to that state. All MM2H tiers allow property purchase and a renewable stay visa.
| Program | Min. Investment | Residency | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium MM2H | $226k+ | ✓ Yes | No |
| Standard MM2H | $113k+ | ✓ Yes | No |